Okonjo-Iweala, Dangote receive Time Magazine award in New York

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she is delighted to be honoured.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who were among individuals named recently in Time Magazine annual 100 most influential people in the world, received their awards at a gala in New York on Tuesday.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala was named in the “Leaders” category, which features Presidents and Prime Ministers, such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Shinzo Abe of Japan, Xi Jinping of China, United States President, Barack Obama; German Chancellor, Angela Merkel; Nerandra Modi of India and Iran’s Hassan Rouhani.

After receiving the award, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she was delighted to be honoured and even happier that one of the world’s acclaimed musician, Bono, wrote her citation.

“I am grateful to God that two Nigerians were recognised this year. It is wonderful for Nigeria. I see that other Africans were also recognised. So, I think it is a measure of where our continent is heading despite all our challenges,” she said.

In its 11th year, the Time 100 most influential people award recognises the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals across the continents of the world.

Past recipients include scientists, thinkers, philosophers, leaders, icons, artists, visionaries, including people using their ideas, visions, actions to transform the world and have an effect on a multitude of people.