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Victor Osimhen

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and Nollywood actor Charles Okocha joined a host of African leaders, royalty, and business executives in Lagos to receive top honors at the inaugural Black African Heritage Global International Awards (BAHGIA) 2026.

Held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, the prestigious event celebrated excellence, leadership, and the global achievements of people of African descent across governance, business, culture, sports, and entertainment.

During the ceremony, Osimhen was presented with the BAHGIA Sport Excellence Award, while Okocha received the BAHGIA Legacy Award.

Commending the organizers, Okocha expressed his gratitude for the phenomenal recognition and the warm reception. Away from the screen, the actor has also built a reputation as a celebrity boxer and is currently preparing for a highly anticipated July 31 rematch against street-pop singer Habeeb “Portable” Badmus at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Victoria Island, following a disputed loss to the singer in 2023 over a business disagreement.

READ ALSO: Abuja’s New Face: Tinubu Opens Remodeled City Gate

In the broader entertainment category, Nigerian music superstar Damini “Burna Boy” Ogulu was crowned Best Artist of the Year, and veteran music executive Michael “Don Jazzy” Ajereh took home the Best Music Producer of the Year award.

The BAHGIA President and former Nigerian kickboxing and MMA star, LovethPatra Ekufu, explained that the initiative was born out of a need to address the global under-recognition of Africans and the diaspora.

She emphasized that Black Africans have made significant contributions worldwide but remain under-celebrated, adding that recognizing homegrown excellence encourages others to achieve great things for humanity.

Ekufu described the successful event as the fulfillment of a long-held vision, acknowledging the vital support of BAHGIA Vice President Charles Zerime and Special Adviser Pauline Christian in bringing the platform to life.

The awards heavily featured continental leadership, honoring several heads of state and monarchs for their diplomatic and cultural contributions. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu received the African Unity Diplomatic and Leadership Award (Gold), while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu took the Continental Outstanding Governor Leadership Award.

Other presidential honorees included Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Ghana’s John Mahama, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah Sisi, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Félix Tshisekedi.

Royal dignitaries such as King Letsie III of Lesotho, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of the Ashanti Kingdom were also celebrated for preserving African traditional institutions.

The business, media, and public service sectors were equally well represented. Tony Elumelu bagged the Business Mogul and Entrepreneur of the Year Award, while Nduka Obaigbena, Founder of THISDAY and ARISE News, received the Media Heritage and Communications Award.

Recognition also extended to Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley for public service, the Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu for security leadership, and various humanitarian and cultural figures, including Princess Ruth Idegwal and Nike Okundaye of the Nike Art Gallery.

Receiving the awards on behalf of Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State House of Assembly member Solomon Saanu praised the platform for projecting Africa positively on the global stage, noting that such events prove Black people are making remarkable global contributions and are not second-class citizens.

Similarly, Frank Quaye, President of the ECOWAS Communities in Nigeria, expressed immense pride at the recognition of John Mahama, promising to deliver the award through the Ghanaian mission and praising the organizers for looking beyond Nigeria’s borders.

The night concluded with musical performances and educational grant presentations, cementing BAHGIA’s commitment to youth empowerment and the continuous celebration of African excellence.

The Traffic NG
Victor Osimhen
Ayomikun Elemikan
The Traffic NG

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