The founder of 54gene, Dr Abasi Ene-Obong, and the founder of Kobo360, Obi Ozor, are to benefit from the Aliko Dangote Fellowship for being named Young Global Leaders.
The Nigerian beneficiaries are among the 11 Africans to benefit from the fellowship, according to a statement made available to Financial Street.
Dangote Group said, “The beneficiaries are among 112 persons under 40 years of age, selected as Young Global Leaders by World Economic Forum, from across 56 countries.
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“The aim of the fellowship is to increase the quality and quantity of young African leaders by supporting the engagement of African YGLs in the community, such as those from small enterprises or the non-business sector. The fellowship, WEF added, supports YGLs from Africa to participate in global YGL and Forum events.”
The Young Global Leader award is given to recognise young and enterprising leaders in their various fields.
According to WEF, the award is to recognise and create a platform for a dynamic community of exceptional people with the vision, courage, and influence to drive positive change in the world.
The statement said, “Ene-Obong’s work in the field of genetic technology, to understand the genetic factors that lead to disease in Africa, through his startup company, 54gene, underscored his nomination for the award.
“54gene’s work is included in Time Magazine’s list of the 12 innovations that will change healthcare in 2020. Ene-Obong was also listed as one of the 30 most innovative entrepreneurs on the African continent in 2019 by Quartz Africa.”
It said Ozor’s work in logistics technology which provides end-to-end haulage operations to its users and its ability to raise $30m in 2019, backed by Goldman Sachs, amplified his nomination for the award.
“Kobo360 raised $30m in 2019, backed by Goldman Sachs, an impressive feat for a startup.” WEF was quoted as saying.
Ambassador Debo Adesina, former editor-in chief of the Guardian Newspapers and current Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, and Mr Simon Kolawole, chief executive officer of Cable Newspapers Ltd, are one-time winners of the Young Global Leaders Award.
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