Focus Africa Series @10: Celebrating a Decade of Impact and Africa’s Emerging Leadership Renaissance

By Genesis ogiri 

ABUJA - The 10th Anniversary Celebration of Focus Africa Series unfolded as a magnificent convergence of ideas, influence and continental aspiration, reaffirming the organisation’s growing stature as a foremost platform for promoting African excellence, leadership renewal, innovation and sustainable development.

Held at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, the anniversary gathering drew an impressive assembly of policymakers, diplomats, scholars, captains of industry, faith leaders, development practitioners, entrepreneurs, young professionals and distinguished guests from across Africa. It was a celebration not only of a decade of institutional achievement, but of the enduring African spirit—resilient, resourceful and resolutely committed to a future of shared progress.

In his anniversary address, the President of Focus Africa Series, Prof. Succex Ibeh, described the milestone as a defining chapter in the organisation’s journey of shaping conversations, celebrating merit and spotlighting leaders whose work continues to advance the African development agenda.

He said Focus Africa Series was founded on the conviction that Africa’s story must be told through the prism of its brilliance, enterprise, innovation and capacity for transformation.

Over the past decade, he noted, the platform has evolved into a respected continental convening ground where ideas are interrogated, excellence is recognised, emerging leaders are encouraged and practical pathways for development are explored.

“Focus Africa Series is a celebration of the African spirit—our resilience, our brilliance, our capacity to lead and our determination to build a continent that works for all,” Prof. Ibeh said.

He commended the distinguished speakers, award recipients, Hall of Fame inductees, partners and participants for lending their voices, expertise and achievements to the vision of a more prosperous and inclusive Africa.

The President stressed that the anniversary was not merely a ceremonial occasion, but a call to action for Africans to embrace visionary leadership, accountability, innovation, unity and a renewed commitment to collective progress.

Among the thought-provoking voices at the forum was renowned development expert, Eric Chinje, who delivered a stirring appeal for Africa to reawaken its development consciousness and reclaim confidence in its own capacity to build.

Chinje maintained that the continent is richly endowed with the human capital, natural resources and intellectual strength needed to shape a prosperous future, urging Africans to move beyond excuses and re-energise the spirit of development.

“We must re-energise the spirit of development in Africa. We can do it,” he declared.

 Senator Dino Melaye, in a characteristically forceful intervention, challenged Africa’s democratic culture and leadership architecture, warning against the growing disconnect between political power and the people.

He described the prevailing political order in Nigeria and parts of Africa as “greediocracy,” arguing that democracy loses its meaning when the overwhelming majority are excluded from the benefits of governance.

“What we have today as democracy in Nigeria and other African countries is greediocracy,” he said. “The people are the government, yet those in power represent less than one per cent of the population.”

Barrister Melaye further maintained that silence in the face of injustice amounts to complicity, urging citizens to become more conscious, courageous and engaged in shaping the direction of their societies.

He also advocated deeper African integration through a common passport and currency, describing both as critical instruments for facilitating mobility, trade, economic cooperation and continental unity.

Rev Ugochukwu Unachukwu , in his presentation, brought a moral and values-driven perspective to the discourse, identifying religion and leadership as two of the most potent tools for national transformation.

He explained that religion must transcend the confines of worship to become a living framework of values that shapes human behaviour, strengthens relationships and inspires responsible citizenship.

“Religion is more than a worship system; it is a framework of values that guides human behaviour and relationships,” he said.

According to him, leadership is the bridge between vision and action, requiring the capacity to mobilise people towards collective goals. He urged African societies to rediscover and uphold the values capable of changing the world.

Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, in an inspiring address, called for the urgent embrace of digital literacy and the deliberate cultivation of communities of learners across Africa.

She described leadership as a problem-solving responsibility, urging young Africans and women to pursue purpose above the mere pursuit of power.

“A leader is a problem solver. Do not look for power; look for purpose,” she said.

Dr. Namundjebo-Tilahun further stressed that women must be fully integrated into Africa’s transformation agenda, noting that the continent cannot maximise its potential while women remain underrepresented in critical spaces of leadership, innovation and decision-making.

She advanced the “zebra leadership style,” a model built on collaboration, accountability, team protection, wisdom and shared progress.

A major highlight of the anniversary celebration was the induction of distinguished African leaders and development icons into the Focus Africa Hall of Fame. The inductees were Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Eric Chinje, Prof. Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, Hon. Paul Dhel Gum, Ambassador Fatmata Sawaneh and Sinari Bolade Daranijo.

Their induction represented a profound acknowledgement of exceptional service and a lifetime of contributions to leadership, public service, enterprise, advocacy and the advancement of Africa’s development aspirations. Each inductee stood as a symbol of what is possible when vision is matched with courage, competence and commitment to the common good.

The anniversary celebration also featured the symbolic cutting of the 10th Anniversary Cake, a moment that captured the organisation’s decade-long journey of ideas, influence, partnerships and continental engagement.

This was followed by the presentation of awards to distinguished leaders, professionals, institutions and emerging changemakers whose work continues to enrich Africa’s development landscape through innovation, enterprise, peacebuilding, youth empowerment and sustainable social impact.

As recipients stepped forward to receive their honours, the hall resonated with applause and admiration. The awards were not merely ceremonial decorations, but powerful affirmations of the values Focus Africa Series has consistently championed: merit, excellence, service, innovation and measurable impact.

The 10th Anniversary of Focus Africa Series was therefore more than a celebration of institutional longevity. It was a compelling declaration that Africa’s future will be shaped by courageous thinkers, ethical leaders, innovative builders and committed citizens who are willing to transform vision into action.

Through its sustained commitment to recognising excellence, elevating emerging leaders and convening conversations that matter, Focus Africa Series has continued to carve a distinctive place in Africa’s development narrative—one decade of impact at a time.