PAALA unveils 25 Lifetime Achievement Honorees for 5th edition
Pan African Awards Leadership & Accolades (PAALA) is proud to announce the final unveiling of the PAALA Class of 2026: 25 Lifetime Achievement Honorees and the PAALA 2026 Mother of the Day, as the awards mark its 5th edition.
Since its inception, PAALA has celebrated visionaries shaping Africa and the diaspora. The journey began with 3 powerful editions in Atlanta, Georgia, continued to Houston, Texas last year, and now arrives in Washington D.C. for 2026, bringing the celebration of excellence to the U.S. capital.
The premier awards platform recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions of Africans and people of African descent globally. Now in its 5th edition, PAALA honors excellence in leadership, innovation, service, and cultural impact.
The PAALA 2026 honorees represent leaders in energy, health, media, fintech, public service, gender equality, trade, creative arts, law, technology, faith, cybersecurity, and more. Their work spans continents, impacting communities from Lagos to London, Accra to Atlanta, Nairobi to Washington D.C.
PAALA 2026: 25 Lifetime Achievement Honorees
- Mrs. Lillian Nse Afu
Career: Energy Executive, Infrastructure Investor
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Energy Leadership & Community Impact - H.E. Dr. Michael K. Obeng
Career: Plastic Surgeon, Humanitarian, Global Health Leader
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Global Health Leadership & Humanitarian Service - Tess Cacciatore
Career: Media Producer, Storyteller, Social Impact Strategist
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Global Storytelling & Social Impact - Lady Dr. h.c. Astrid Arens
Career: Global Business Leader, Environmental Sustainability Advocate
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Global Leadership & Environmental Sustainability - Nkem “Kem” Granger
Career: Fintech Executive, Cross-Border Investment Strategist
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Cross-Border Innovation & Diaspora Enterprise - Omon Isemede
Career: Public Policy Strategist, Enterprise Consultant
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Public Service & Strategic Enterprise - Ms. Nomzamo Marilyn Dlamini
Career: Government Minister, Gender Equality & Social Development Policy Leader
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Gender Equality & Social Development Policy - Jane Reindorf-Osei
Career: Trade & Investment Advisor, Diaspora Engagement Specialist
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Trade, Investment & Global Africa Engagement - Aity Denis-Inyang
Career: Creative Industry Executive, Cultural Diplomacy Advocate
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Creative Industry Leadership & Cultural Diplomacy - Rt. Hon. Unyime Josiah Idem, Ph.D
Career: Legislator, Digital Policy Innovator
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Legislative Leadership & Digital Policy Innovation - Hope E. Umana, Esq.
Career: Attorney, Transnational Legal Leader
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Transnational Legal Leadership & Civil Justice - Andre Stephens
Career: Journalist, Independent Media Producer, Social Justice Advocate
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Independent Media & Social Justice Advocacy - Eveline Pierre
Career: Cultural Historian, Heritage Preservationist
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Heritage Preservation & Diaspora History - Faith Akovi Cooper
Career: International Development and Humanitarian Assistance professional
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Multilateral Leadership & Global Refugee Advocacy - Calista Chana-Igbenoba
Career: Transformational Leader, Faith-Based Empowerment Coach
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Transformational Leadership & Faith-Based Empowerment - Dr. Tina Njoku-Opara
Career: Entrepreneur, Hospitality Industry Leader
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Entrepreneurship, Industrial Hospitality & Women’s Empowerment - Dr. Gershom Sikaala
Career: Technology Innovator, Faith Leader, Diaspora Mentor
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Technology Innovation, Faith Leadership & Diaspora Mentorship - Apostle Dr. Elishama Ideh
Career: Faith Leader, Social Advocate
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Faith Leadership, Social Advocacy & Nation Building - Paul Manner
Career: Clinical Psychologist, Intelligence & Public Safety Expert
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Clinical Psychology, Intelligence & Public Safety - Dr. Mathilde Mbouck, MRCP
Career: Consultant Cardiologist, Clinical Skills Lecturer, Global Health Advocate
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Global Health, Cardiology & Medical Education - Dr. Itanwan James, DrPH, MSN, PHN, RN, RM
Career: Public Health Practitioner, Nurse Executive, Philanthropist
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Public Health, Maternal-Child Advocacy & Diaspora Philanthropy - Rosaria Adofo, MBA, CPCM
Career: Federal Acquisition Consultant, Workforce Development Strategist
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Federal Acquisition, Workforce Development & Diaspora Enterprise - Ms. Eberechi (Ebbie) Ugwu-Amole
Career: Cybersecurity Executive, GRC & Training Leader
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Cybersecurity, GRC Leadership & Workforce Development - Dr. Thelma B. Wright, MD, JD, MBA
Career: Associate Professor of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Medical Director, Health Equity Advocate
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Academic Medicine, Health Equity & Women’s Empowerment - Obong (Engr.) Itoro Akpan-Iquot
Career: Software Engineer, Diaspora Leader, 1st International President of ASACOP
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Diaspora Leadership & Community Development
PAALA 2026 Mother of the Day
Hon. Prof. Margaret Jepkoech Kamar, EGH, MP
Career: Current Senator, Senate of Kenya, Professor of Soil Science, Former Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Former Cabinet Minister
Award: Lifetime Achievement in Legislative Leadership, Education & Public Service
“PAALA 2026 is more than an awards ceremony; it is a recognition of legacy, sacrifice, and impact. These 25 honorees and our Mother of the Day have lifted others as they rose. From Atlanta to Houston to Washington D.C., PAALA remains committed to spotlighting African excellence that inspires the next generation.” Amb. Dr. Elisha Attai (PAALA/AWLO Founder)
The PAALA 2026 Awards Gala will take place in Washington D.C. this year, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers for a night of celebration, networking, and recognition. For media inquiries, interviews, honoree profiles, and accreditation, contact the PAALA Media Team at paala@awlo.africa.
Source: PAALA
