Ooni Of Ife Honours Okeke-Ojiudu With ‘Royal African Leadership’ Award

Serial social entrepreneur, Buffy Okeke-Ojiudu, the founder of Zebra Agro-Industries and Zebra CropBank, an agro-innovation company, has been awarded the esteemed ‘Royal African Leadership’ Award by His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and inducted as a Member of the Royal Court of the Ifé Kingdom (MIK), at the 4th edition of the Royal African Young Leadership Forum.

The ceremony took place on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The forum, organised by the palace of the progenitor of the Yoruba race, celebrates young African leaders from 39 African countries, who have made significant contributions to their communities and industries.

During the presentation, the Ooni lauded Mr. Okeke-Ojiudu’s exemplary leadership at Zebra, highlighting his visionary approach and innovative strategies that were driving Nigeria’s agricultural sector towards technological advancement.

The Ooni emphasised, “These young men are part of the government of our dear country. I want to use this opportunity to celebrate you and appreciate the efforts you are putting in making your individual contributions to the development of Nigeria,” acknowledging Mr. Okeke-Ojiudu’s pivotal role in enhancing the country’s economic prospects.

Expressing his gratitude for the award, Mr. Okeke-Ojiudu stated, “I am honoured to receive this award from His Majesty, the Ooni of Ife. Being acknowledged in this way underscores His Majesty’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating the positive impact individuals make in their community via their respective endeavours.”

Mr. Okeke-Ojiudu reiterated his dedication to advancing Nigeria’s technological infrastructure and boosting its global competitiveness. “I am truly filled with gratitude and honoured to be called to this task,” he added, stressing the importance of collaboration in driving technological innovation and industrial growth in Nigeria.

The Royal African Young Leadership Forum, with its theme “Africa of the Future: Better Together,” aims to foster unity and collective progress among young leaders from various sectors.

This year’s event showcased the contributions of notable figures such as Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Minister for Youth Development), Ayodele Olawande Wisdom (Minister of State for Youth Development), and Charles O. Odii (DG/CEO SMEDAN), alongside other young African entrepreneurs, recognised for their impactful work.