By Frank Kamuntu
The Senate President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr Godswill Akpabio is among the African statesmen and women nominated for this year’s International Award in Kampala slated for this August 26, 2023, at the prestigious Fairway Hotel, code-named “PAP Global Awards” which happens every August.
The Awards are meant to recognize and appreciate Pan-Africanists globally who fought for the Rights and Freedoms of the Black people on the continent and in the diaspora during the most difficult times of colonialism. The event also empowers the new crop of Pan-Africanists who continue to lit the fire of Pan-Africanism by serving their communities in various ways that uplift the African people.
It’s against that background that H.E Akpabio will be awarded alongside other great globally acclaimed Pan-Africanists such as Bishop Joshua Maraga Maponga from Zimbabwe, UN Peace Keeping Mission Ambassador Paul Flyn, an African Irish, Uganda Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Rt.Hon.Thomas Tayebwa, International business tycoon Hamis Kiggundu, Shanta Rabadiya, an African Indian humanitarian ambassador, among others.
This was revealed by the Founding Speaker and Chairman of Pan-African Pyramid, who doubles as the Chairman of Awards Committee Comrade Andrew Irumba Katusabe Ateenyi last week at a press conference.
Irumba however added that the Senate President was yet to respond to their invitation letter which was delivered to his office via the Nigerian Embassy in Kampala. “He has not yet confirmed his physical attendance but we’re hopeful because we’re in touch with his office,” he said. If he attends, Akpabio will be awarded the under category of “African Renaissance Leader” award.
In previous years, African leaders who have been so far conferred the prestigious Award include Winnie Mandela, Col Muammar Gaddafi, the former Libyan president, and Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt.Hon. Anita Among Annet, amongst others.
Senator Akpabio is not new to International Awards. He is the holder of; The Congressional Certificate of Recognition of the United States Congress (2011), the Africa Lifetime Achievement Prize awarded by the Millennium Excellence Foundation in Kenya, The Gold Humanitarian Services Award of the Republic of Niger (2008), Best Governor, Infrastructure Development 2009 by BEN Television, London. He is the holder of the Nigerian National Award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) awarded by Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
About Pan-African Pyramid
Pan-African Pyramid (PAP) is a non-governmental organization that was founded in 2015 with a vision to articulate concerted efforts geared towards promoting the true African Awakening among the BLACK people throughout Africa and in the Diaspora and galvanize inventions and innovations of African people based on its principles as an intellectual, non-partisan discussion forum, built on the Pillars of PAN AFRICANISM PATRIOTISM and NATIONALISM.
The PAP Ideology/pre-occupation is to REVIVE intellectual discourse among youth with a bias on re-constructing our lost Pan-Africanism, patriotism and Nationalism Values and spirit.
The organization was founded by the current PAP Speaker and Chairman Andrew Irumba Katusabe, with its social impact and humanitarian programs including;
1.Organizing PAP debates every Friday
2.Pan African Pyramid Global Awards every August
3.Collection and delivery of relief aide to refugees every December
4.Agriculture and livestock farming
5.Pan-African Marathon
6.Establishment of Pan African Pyramid School clubs and debates
7.Small Savings and Investments
8.Tree Planting and Natural Resource Maintenance (Environment Conservation)
As a norm, PAP has continued to provide support to Africans living in harsh situations, especially needy students and refugees in their respective camps.
Previously they have offered relief aide to Nakivale Refugee settlement camps located in the Isingiro district where over 120000 refugees from over 10 nations received donations, which marked the end of 2019 before the coming of COVID-19 that interrupted the 2020 PAP calendar. Other refugee camps they’ve donated relief aide include Bidi Bidi, Rwamwanja and Kiryandongo refugee camps.
