Gbenga Sesan, executive director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), has recognised at the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa in Abuja, Nigeria after being named one of the winners of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award.
HumanIPO reported last month Sesan was one of seven Africans from Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique to be declared winners of the Schwab Foundation’s Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2014 awards.
Sesan was recognised for PIN’s drive in the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria.
“One of PIN’s innovative programs is TENT – an in-school programme that helps university students develop and launch ICT-related business plans upon graduation,” WEF said in Sesan’s citation.
Sesan wore a t-shirt with #BringBackOurGirls printed on it, calling the attention of the Nigerian government to the plight of over 200 missing girls in northern Nigeria.
Sesan said: “This is both a pat on the back for the work that the PIN team did with 12 people working in Abuja and Lagos Nigeria, and a call to do more. None of these milestones would have been possible without the support of our board or the commitment of our partners. This goes to appreciate them really.”
The other African winners were Patrick Awuah of Ashesi University (Ghana), Ashifi Gogo of Sproxil (Nigeria), Martin Kariongi Ole Sanago of Institute for Orkonerei Pastoralists Advancements (Tanzania), Jay Kimmelman and Shannon May of Bridge International Academies (Kenya), and Allen Wilcox of VillageReach (Mozambique).
Hilde Schwab, chairperson and co-founder, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Switzerland said: “Social entrepreneurs are the driving force behind innovations that improve the quality of life of individuals around the world, and they represent an integral and dynamic community of the World Economic Forum.”
The award presentation ceremony had in attendance the presidents of Nigeria and Rwanda, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, and several other dignitaries.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
