EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Business Executive Media Group is preparing to organize and host its unique awards scheme: I00 Most Influential People in Africa Awards. This award scheme has been designed to identify and publicly recognize 100 people across Africa whose personal and professional conduct and accomplishments, combined with their respective positions of authority and consequent influence, has enabled them exercise the most influence on the socio economic, political and cultural fortunes and trajectory of Africa as a region which is integrated into the global community of nations and the emergent global economy; and those of who greatly influenced delineated specific communities or sectors of socio-economic activity, segments of society or delineated geographical regions. For obvious reasons our definition of influence, for the purpose of these awards is restricted to positive influence. People whose influence is deemed negative are therefore excluded from consideration for awards under this scheme.
Every person with potential to influence affairs in Africa – and who at least partly are domiciled within the continent are eligible for consideration. Gender, political affiliation, age or religion are not significant considerations although for reason of inclusiveness, these may be considered in the event of a tie between nominees in a particular award category, using the quantitative scoring method established hereunder.
Awardees will be selected using a multi-stage selection process involving the findings of our dedicated research consultants and ultimately our specially constituted Awards Selection Jury comprising 12 identified experts on socioeconomic, political, cultural and diplomatic affairs in Africa – on pan continental, sub region and sovereign nation levels all-inclusive and relations with the rest of the world. We have opted to use expert selection rather than public voting to avoid the distortionary effects of sub –regional and sovereign nation bias, narrow interests and emotion, rather than objective voting decisions, by members of the public.
All participants in the selection process will be guided by clearly established assessment criteria as set out below. Each criterion will be weighted to create a quantitative scoring model albeit with scores however necessarily derived from qualitative assessments of each nominee, first by our research consultants and ultimately by our Awards Selection Jury. The selection process is designed in such a manner as to remove any influence in the decisions by the organizers themselves whose roles are restricted to providing logistical support at each stage of the selection process through a dedicated awards secretariat.
Consideration for awardees cover various aspects of activity within the African polity, including pan continental regionalism, sub regional co-operation, political governance, economic governance, business finance and investment, societal behavioral influence, cultural affairs through arts and entertainment, diplomatic relationships, nurturing of upcoming generations through academic teaching and social mores and values etc.
Both self-nominations and third-party nominations will be accepted, although will be subject to verification and authentication by our research consultants.
Awards will be conferred at a five-star gala awards conferment event to be held in Africa. This strictly by invitation event will be attended by the awardees and their guests, top multilateral and bilateral institutional leaders, government functionaries from leading jurisdictions, identified and acclaimed Africanists, selected leaders in various aspects of Africa’s polity, community leaders and leaders of thought, identified social influencers, members of the diplomatic corps, and both the local and international media. Award winners will receive both plaques and citations and will be exposed to immense positive publicity on a pan African and indeed global scale.
