Emma Sunday
A Rivers State based businessman, Ambassador Dr. Nwagbo Eberechukwu Barnabas, has been honoured with the coveted Africa Under-40 CEOs Award by Mayorkings Agency Group, an excellence seeking and driven organisation among African young leaders.
Dr. Barnabas, who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Belburge International Limited (Customs Bonded Terminal/Warehouse), and Roseluxe Hotels Limited, both in Eleme and Obio/Akpor LGAs, Rivers State, Nigeria, was also conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Policy by the Prowess University, Delaware, USA.
The young entrepreneur who hails from Ogboji Community in Orumba local government area of Anambra State, also clinched the recognition of the Global Institute of Leadership & Governance, South Africa as a fellow, during the second Edition of the Annual Africa Under-40 CEOs Award and Summit held on Saturday at Protea Hotel Kampala, Uganda.
Speaking at the event, a representative of the Prowess University, Ambassador Dr. Luis Themisa, disclosed that Dr. Barnabas and other recipients merited the recognition following their professional achievements over the years.
Luis, explained that the awardees are individual and business leaders within the private sector that have distinguished themselves, stressing that the beneficiaries were honoured for their contributions to industrial and humanitarian excellence.
Organisers of the annual Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards and Summit, Mayorkings Agency Group, said the event remained a topnotch Continental Award ceremony that ranks, identifies, showcases, honours and celebrates young influential Africans under the age of 40.
The group said recipients of the award were selected across industries who have demonstrated commitment to business growth, development, professional excellence and community service as well as philanthropy.
A statement released by the organisation reads in part, “The Event and Rankings aim to encourage and promote young African Champions Globally as well as bridging a room for networking, collaboration, unity of purpose amongst successful young Africans for the sole agenda of the advancement of the African continent.
“Mayorkings Agency Group together with our partners globally and our highly committed award screening committee and jury are 100% committed to honoring and celebrating only deserving young Africans at each editions of the prestigious event and rankings drawn from different countries in Africa.
“Recipients of the Prestigious Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards 2024 are also awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree (PhD) from Prowess University Delaware, USA as well as Fellows of the Global Institute of Leadership & Governance South Africa,” they added.
Responding, Dr. Barnabas thanked Prowess University and the Mayorkings Agency for finding him worthy of the honour, noting that the recognition would further spur him to do more in youths employment and empowerment, as well as helping businesses thrive in Rivers State and other parts of the country.
He said, “I am truly proud to be associated with these great institutions. I sincerely appreciate the Prowess University, Delaware, USA and the Mayorkings Agency Group for adding value to my contributions through the conferment of this Honorary Doctorate Degree and African Under-40 CEOs award.
“Honestly, looking at what is happening in our economy right now, and you still have people standing out to do business and employ labour, its quite encouraging that I was among the awardees, to be honoured with Doctorate Degree in Public Policy.
“Receiving these honours is an extraordinary privilege that I accept with great joy and humility. Am really grateful, I feel excited to be selected among the African Under 40 CEOs for this honour. It really shows that what we are doing is being recognized.”
