Recognition of Leadership and Youth Development

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CEOAFRICA and Initiator of the Geneith Health Competition (GHC), Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, has been honoured with the Peace & Enterprise Ambassadorial Award by the Inter-Religious Youth Affairs for Peace and Unity (IRYAPU). The award recognizes Ilobanafor’s contributions to job creation, public health advocacy, and nation-building through strategic youth empowerment platforms.

The ceremony, held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, was attended by a diverse group of business leaders, civil society representatives, and youth advocates. Speaking at the event, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and sponsor of the GHC, commended Ilobanafor’s visionary leadership. Umenwa emphasized the importance of creating sustainable platforms for young Africans and urged the youth to actively participate in health initiatives, particularly as malaria ambassadors.

National Coordinator of the GHC, Pharm. Blessing Ghensel, echoed these sentiments, describing Ilobanafor as a figure committed to creativity and positive social values. The recognition underscores a broader effort to align local enterprise with global development priorities, fostering an environment where young Nigerians can thrive through structured opportunities.

Merit-Based Criteria for Peace Advocacy

National Coordinator of IRYAPU, Amb. Muhammad Taofeeq, explained that the Peace & Enterprise Ambassadorial Award is strictly reserved for individuals whose work demonstrates measurable societal impact. He noted that Ilobanafor’s selection was based on his documented contributions to peacebuilding and his alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Taofeeq stressed that the recognition was not ceremonial but based on the scale and sustainability of Ilobanafor’s initiatives. By using creative enterprise to bridge ethnic and religious divides, the awardee has helped foster collaboration for humanitarian and economic progress. These efforts are seen as essential for reducing social friction and promoting a culture of productivity among the youth.

Inter-Religious Unity and Public Health Initiatives

The award is a central component of IRYAPU’s mission to promote peaceful coexistence across religious and social divides in Nigeria. The organisation focuses on interfaith dialogue, vocational training, and the deployment of Youth Peace Ambassadors to combat hate speech and youth restiveness. This holistic approach aims to strengthen national unity through joint community service and education.

In addition to peacebuilding, Ilobanafor has integrated public health into his advocacy through the Geneith Health Competition. He has consistently called on the Nigerian youth to take a leading role in the fight against malaria, stressing that national stability and economic growth are inextricably linked to the health of the population.

Commitment to National Harmony and Social Progress

In his response to the honour, Ilobanafor described the award as a renewed call to service, pledging to deepen his commitment to cultural advocacy and social harmony. He warned against the political and religious manipulation of young people, urging Nigerians to embrace cross-faith cooperation as a tool for national development.

I will continue to use my voice to impact cultural advocacy, peace, and empower the next generation globally. These recognitions encourage me to do more, to tell the right stories, and to spread love through impactful initiatives.

— Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Managing Director and CEO, CEOAFRICA

Ilobanafor dedicated the award to young innovators and entrepreneurs working toward a better future for the country. He concluded by inviting youths nationwide to join the campaign against malaria via the GHC digital platform, reinforcing the idea that collective action is the primary driver of progress.

I dedicate this recognition to every young leader, innovator, and entrepreneur striving for a better tomorrow, especially those getting set to become malaria ambassadors through the Geneith Health Competition. Together, we can build a Nigeria where peace, good health and opportunity thrive for all.

— Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, Managing Director and CEO, CEOAFRICA