Ex-MMA star Ekufu launches African awards

Former Nigerian kickboxing and MMA star Ambassador Lovethpatra Ekufu has launched the inaugural Black African History Global Iconic Awards. The initiative aims to celebrate African excellence, foster unity, and inspire young people across the continent.

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We discovered that Black people across the world are under-celebrated despite their outstanding contributions. The aim of this award is to honour excellence wherever it is found and bring deserving individuals to the forefront.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for July 5 at the Marriott Hotel in GRA Ikeja, Lagos. Ekufu, who also serves as president of the organizing body, BAHGIA, stated the awards were conceived to honor the achievements of Black Africans and individuals of African descent globally whose contributions frequently go unrecognized.

"We discovered that Black people across the world are under-celebrated despite their outstanding contributions," Ekufu said. "The aim of this award is to honour excellence wherever it is found and bring deserving individuals to the forefront." She credited her committed team for making the vision a reality, emphasizing that collective effort was central to its success.

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A tree cannot make a forest. This vision became possible because of a committed team working together to bring it to life.

The event will recognize outstanding individuals in fields such as sports, politics, business, education, arts, entertainment, and community development. Organizers plan a daytime conference followed by a gala night featuring over twenty award categories, entertainment, and presentations from distinguished guests from Africa and the diaspora. Vice president Charles Ezerime highlighted unity as a core objective, stating, "We are bringing people together under one umbrella, irrespective of religion, culture or nationality. The message is unity. Whether you are in Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal or the diaspora, we are one people."

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We are bringing people together under one umbrella, irrespective of religion, culture or nationality. The message is unity. Whether you are in Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal or the diaspora, we are one people.