The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CEOAFRICA and Initiator of the Geneith Health Competition, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, has received the prestigious Peace & Enterprise Ambassadorial Award from the Inter-Religious Youth Affairs for Peace and Unity. The conferment took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja and drew business leaders, civil society representatives, youth advocates and IRYAPU members from across Nigeria.
IRYAPU said the award recognizes Ilobanafor’s contributions to youth empowerment, job creation, public health advocacy, peacebuilding and nation-building. According to the organization’s National Coordinator, Amb. Muhammad Taofeeq, the honour is reserved for individuals whose work shows measurable societal impact, independent leadership and alignment with global peace and development priorities including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that the selection was based on merit and the scale and sustainability of documented initiatives linked to the awardee, rather than affiliation or ceremonial participation.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and Sponsor of the Geneith Health Competition, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, praised Ilobanafor for visionary leadership and for building platforms that create opportunities for young Nigerians and Africans. He also urged Nigerian youths to take part in the Geneith Health Competition and serve as malaria ambassadors to support the drive toward a malaria-free Nigeria. The National Coordinator of GHC, Pharm. Blessing Ghensel, described Ilobanafor as “a gift to humanity,” citing his creativity and commitment to peace, understanding and youth development.
In his response, Ilobanafor described the recognition as both an honour and a renewed call to service. “I will continue to use my voice to impact cultural advocacy, peace, and empower the next generation globally,” he said. “These recognitions encourage me to do more, to tell the right stories, and to spread love through impactful initiatives.” He stressed that peace is essential for economic development and warned against the manipulation of young people through religion and politics, calling instead for cross-faith cooperation and collective action.
Ilobanafor dedicated the award to young Nigerians committed to building a prosperous country through innovation and honest enterprise. He also urged youths to join the fight against malaria by participating in the Geneith Health Competition and registering via http://www.
IRYAPU said the Peace & Enterprise Ambassadorial Award is part of its broader work on interfaith dialogue, peace education, vocational training and the deployment of Youth Peace Ambassadors to discourage hate speech and promote coexistence. Other officials present included IRYAPU Programme Director Comrade Yahaya Garba, Secretary-General Michael Omoba, and South-South Coordinator Jamiu Sunday.
