Gulu University Vice-Chancellor is the Educationist of the Year: African Leadership Magazine, UK

Prof. Openjuru George Ladaah the Gulu University Vice-Chancellor who doubles as the Chairperson of Uganda Vice-Chancellor’s Forum is the Educationist of the Year according to the official press release dated December,15^th 2023 by the African Leadership Magazine.

This official announcement from the organizers means Prof. Openjuru, George Ladaah who polled a record 81.57 percent to claim the African Educationalist of the Year, would share the same stage in February 2024 in Ethiopia during the award ceremony with The President of Kenya, William Ruto, alongside President George Weah of Liberia and former President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, who all emerged winners of the 12^th African Leadership Magazine (ALM) Persons of the Year Awards 2023, following the 2-step selection process which included a call for nominations and an online voting poll that closed at midnight (CAT) on Thursday, 14^th  December 2023.

In his remarks, the chairman of the African Leadership Organisation and publisher of the African Leadership Magazine, Dr. Ken Giami said “The winner of the 2023 edition of the ALM Persons of the Year Awards made significant strides and remarkable contributions to the African renaissance in the year under review, especially in driving sustainable development, fostering economic growth, and promoting peace and political stability across the continent”. Dr. Giami also asserted that “their sacrifices, policies, and actions have bolstered regional peace and cooperation, improved healthcare and education, and laid the groundwork for substantial progress, economic growth and human capital development across Africa

The winners and runners-up will be formally presented with instruments of honour during the flagship annual ALM Persons of the Year awards ceremony to be held on 23^rd February 2024 at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the African Union headquarters. The key highlights of the ceremony, which is co-hosted by the Ethiopia Custom Commission shall include the unveiling of the special POTY Edition of the African Leadership Magazine, Africa’s Leading Customs & Ports Administrators’ Yearbook 2024, as well as global third-party commendation awards and multi-dimension high-level networking session.

Below is the complete list of winners and runners-up/joint-winners in the 10 categories of African Leadership Magazine, African Persons of the Year Awards 2023 as released by the organizers dated December, 15^th 2023.

1. African of the Year
   ·  H.E William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya- Winner
   ·  Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President & Chairman, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)- Joint-winner

2. African Female Leader of the Year
   ·  Naseem Lahri, Managing Director, Lucara Botswana – Winner
   ·  Hon. Justice Martha K. Koome, Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya – Joint-winner

3. African Educationist of the Year
   ·  Prof. George L. Openjuru, Vice Chancellor, Gulu University, Uganda- Winner
   ·  Prof. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Media, Arts and Communication, Ghana – Joint-winner

4. African Political Leader of the Year
   ·  H.E. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia- Winner
   ·  H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania- Joint-winner

5. African Peace & Security Leader of the Year
   ·  H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania- Winner
   ·  H.E. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia- Joint-winner

6. African Industrialist of the Year
   ·  Dr. Patrick Bitature, Founder & Chairman, Simba Group, Uganda- Winner
   ·  Said Salim Awadh Bakhresa, Founder, The Bakhresa Group, Tanzania- Joint-winner

7. African Philanthropist of the Year
   ·  Tein T. S. Jack-Rich, President & Founder, Belemaoil Producing Limited, Nigeria- Winner
   ·  Ibrahim Mahama, Founder, Engineers and Planners, Ghana- Joint-winner

8. Young African Leader of the Year
   ·  Akol E. Ayii, Founder & Chairman, Trinity Group, South Sudan- Winner
   ·  Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi, CEO, KOM Group, Tanzania- Joint-winner

9. African Public Sector Leader of the Year
   ·  Ernest N.T. Rubondo, Executive Director, Petroleum Authority of Uganda- Winner
   ·  Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh, Administrator & Registrar-General of Sierra Leone- Joint-winner

10. African Public Sector Leader of the Year
    ·  African Public Health Leader of the Year
    ·  Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for Africa, World Health Organization (WHO)- Joint-winner