2 December 2008
Lagos — Following a meeting of the Daily Trust African of the Year advisory committee in Nairobi, Kenya under the chairmanship of former Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity, OAU, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, a short list of 3 nominees was drawn up.
This followed a consideration of a list of 14 outstanding Africans who included politicians scientists, business people and literary figures. In his remarks during the meeting, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim said "the idea of recognising an African is a good one because there are many Africans that are doing good things and who remain unsung."
He also said that it was good to say to the world that there is something good coming out of Africa.The names of the three people shortlisted will only be released to the public early next year. Before then a background check will be made on the nominees so as to get additional details on why one of them is deserving of the nomination to be the African of the year 2008 with the two others serving as runners up. Already a team of journalists and writers is setting out to the 3 different countries of the nominees to compile the necessary information.
The Daily Trust African of the Year 2008 is the first of such annual event introduced by Media Trust limited as a way of celebrating the achievements of outstanding African men and women in different fields of human endeavour.
The award is open to Africans on the continent and in the diaspora. It is hoped that a publication will be made to coincide with the announcement of the winner in early January.
The publication will be distributed across the continent through newspapers in English, French and Arabic in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt.
Members of the Daily Trust African of the Year Advisory Committee that met at the Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi between 24-25th included South African Political Scientist, Professor Tandeka Ndikwane, Ghanain Mass Communicator Professor Kwame Kari Kari, Senegalese Politician and academic Professor Abdullahi Bathily, Ugandan Political Scientist Professor Okello Oculi, Kenyan human rights activist and columnist Dr Muthoni Wanyeki, Nigerian Economist and former Deputy governor of Central Bank, Dr Obadia Mailafia and United Nations Mellenium office Direcotor Dr Tajudeen Abdulrahim.
Media Trust team at the meeting was led by its Chairman, Malam Kabiru A Yusuf. It included Managing Director Isiaq Ajibola, Editor in Chief Mannir Dan-Ali,General Manager Aliyu Akosile,Africa Editor Modibbo Kawu and Online Editor Hassan Abdul.
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