Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his significant contributions to peace and stability across Africa.

The nomination, submitted by respected Angolan academic and international policy analyst Afonso Botáz, highlights President Lourenço’s effective diplomacy in mediating regional conflicts and his commitment to national reconciliation and justice.

In his official submission, Botáz commended President Lourenço’s “firm commitment to resolving regional conflicts on the African continent, based on the principle of peace.”

This has been particularly evident in his role as the African Union (AU) Champion for Peace and Reconciliation.

President Lourenço’s diplomacy has been instrumental in de-escalating tensions and fostering dialogue between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, preventing a near-certain slide into confrontation.

His steady mediation has also been crucial in stabilizing the Central African Republic, where he coordinated with continental partners to avert a deeper political crisis.

“President Lourenço’s brand of diplomacy rests on dialogue and respect for the sovereignty of other States,” stated Afonso Botáz in his nomination letter. “His work reinforces a deep commitment to the pacification of regional conflicts. It is a quiet, effective diplomacy that builds calm step-by-step rather than through mere ceremony.”

The nomination also cites President Lourenço’s domestic agenda, which has prioritized national reconciliation, institutional repair, and historical justice, including advocacy for reparations for African people. According to Botáz, these efforts have been vital in “restoring confidence in state institutions” and have provided the foundation for Angola’s credible and respected voice on the international stage.

“If the Nobel Peace Prize is meant to reward the dedicated practice of peace, then President Lourenço’s record presents the kind of steady, trusted leadership that the continent and the world benefit from,” concluded Botáz.

About President João Lourenço João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, inaugurated on September 26, 2017, is the third President of the Republic of Angola. A former Minister of Defense, his presidency has focused on economic reform, strengthening democratic institutions, and positioning Angola as a key diplomatic force for peace and security in Africa.

Source:  Afonso Botáz

The story of Nigeria’s economy, once told in the language of imports, queues, and ballooning debt, is beginning to change.

At the heart of this shift, according to Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi, lies President Bola Tinubu’s insistence that the country must produce what it consumes.

Also in Ibadan, he spoke on Fasuyi, a management consultant, business school as the founder, and community leader-wove together a narrative that blended praise with a challenge. “When a country borrows to finance consumption, it mortgages its future,” he said. “But when borrowing is channelled into production and infrastructure, the nation prospers.”

He spoke against the backdrop of a debt profile standing at ₦149 trillion, 73 percent of it domestic. For decades, Nigeria borrowed heavily, often to fund consumption. That cycle, Fasuyi argued, “is being broken under Tinubu.”

Fuel he espoused tells the story best. “Nigeria, a producer of crude, long exported raw oil only to import refined products at great cost. The Dangote Refinery, now fully operational, has changed that equation. Filling stations once marked by endless queues are suddenly free, and refined petroleum is flowing not only across Nigeria but also into neighbouring markets. The savings are massive,”

This administration he noted deserved credit for tackling problems it did not create but addressing them head-on.

Agriculture, he stressed, is the next frontier. “If Nigeria consistently grows what it eats, the naira will stabilise, purchasing power will improve, and the economy will find firmer footing”.

Fasuyi did not dwell on economics alone. He told a wider story of Nigeria’s progress-population soaring from 63 million at independence to 230 million today; universities multiplying; infrastructure spreading; regions becoming 36 states. “We may not be where we desire,” he reflected, “but no society remains static. Growth is relative, and we have indeed moved forward.”

He challenged Nigerians to see governance as a partnership, not a spectator sport. With the Supreme Court’s ruling granting local governments financial autonomy, Fasuyi believed real change would come “if development starts from the bottom up. Communities hold enormous social capital. If tapped, it can transform Nigeria,”

On the World Bank, Fasuyi dismissed the notion of external sabotage. Loans, he insisted, “are not the problem-it is what nations do with them. China still borrows. The difference is discipline. Nigeria must follow suit,”

As he prepares to mark his 70th birthday in Ijesaland with nine days of cultural, spiritual, and developmental celebrations, Fasuyi frames his life milestone within Nigeria’s struggle for progress. With national life expectancy pegged at 62 years, he regards his own age as both a blessing and a mandate. “Attaining 70 is a dream fulfilled. My joy is to use this milestone to further champion inclusive and sustainable development,” he said.

For Fasuyi, Nigeria’s path is neither hopeless nor complete. His verdict is one of cautious optimism: with disciplined leadership, participatory governance, and a citizenry committed to production over consumption, the country is finally edging onto the right track.

The Executive Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Hon. Obiora Obeagu, has been named winner of the African Grassroots Good Governance (3G) Summit Leadership Award as Outstanding Local Government Chairman on Rural Healthcare and Infrastructure Development in Nigeria.

The announcement follows a rigorous nomination, screening, voting, and verification process aimed at identifying the most outstanding and best-performing local government chairmen and mayors across the continent.

The African 3G Summit Leadership Awards, organized by AfricanStride International Media Group (ASIMGROUP), is a premier continental roundtable and honours event focused on driving development and promoting excellence in grassroots governance across Africa.

Transformative Leadership in Isi-Uzo

Since assuming office, Hon. Obeagu has distinguished himself as a visionary leader committed to grassroots good governance and improving the quality of life for Isi-Uzo residents. His tenure has been marked by significant investments in:

• Rural Healthcare: Construction of the Isi-Uzo Clinic and other health initiatives.
• Infrastructure: Development of roads, culverts, and key link bridges; renovation of the Council Secretariat; and execution of power projects.
• Community Development: Launch of the Isi-Uzo Villa Estate, housing projects, and educational empowerment initiatives.

These interventions have driven growth, prosperity, and enhanced access to basic social amenities in the local government area.

Award Ceremony Set for Abuja

Hon. Obeagu will be formally presented with the prestigious award during the African 3G Summit Leadership Awards ceremony scheduled to hold on November 1, 2025, in Abuja.

The event will feature the unveiling of outstanding local and regional government leaders across Africa whose dedication to grassroots governance continues to inspire confidence in the continent’s democratic and political future.