The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CEOAFRICA and Initiator of the Geneith Health Competition, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, has received the Peace and Enterprise Ambassadorial Award from the Inter-Religious Youth Affairs for Peace and Unity, IRYAPU.
The award recognises his contributions to youth empowerment, job creation, public health advocacy, and peacebuilding in Nigeria.
The conferment ceremony took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. It was attended by business leaders, civil society representatives, youth advocates, and members of IRYAPU from across the country.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and Sponsor of the Geneith Health Competition, Chief Emmanuel Umenwa, described Ilobanafor as a visionary leader committed to creating opportunities for young Nigerians and Africans. He urged Nigerian youths to participate in the Geneith Health Competition and serve as malaria ambassadors to support the campaign for a malaria-free Nigeria.
The National Coordinator of the Geneith Health Competition, Pharm. Blessing Ghensel, also commended Ilobanafor for his creativity and dedication to initiatives that promote peace, understanding, and youth development.
The National Coordinator of IRYAPU, Amb. Muhammad Taofeeq, said the Peace and Enterprise Ambassadorial Award is given to individuals whose work shows measurable impact, independent leadership, and alignment with global development goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
According to him, Ilobanafor was selected based on merit and on the scale and sustainability of his work in youth development, public health advocacy, and enterprise. He added that the award reflects Ilobanafor’s efforts to use enterprise to bridge ethnic and religious divides and create opportunities for young people.
The Peace and Enterprise Ambassadorial Award is part of IRYAPU’s work to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerian youths and strengthen unity across religious and social lines. The organisation focuses on interfaith dialogue, peace education, vocational training, and the deployment of Youth Peace Ambassadors to discourage hate speech and reduce youth restiveness.
In his acceptance remarks, Ilobanafor thanked IRYAPU for the recognition, describing it as a call to greater service.
“I will continue to use my voice for cultural advocacy, peace, and to empower the next generation globally. These recognitions encourage me to do more, to tell the right stories, and to spread love through impactful initiatives,” he said.
He stressed that peace is essential for economic development, noting that enterprise and sustainable growth cannot thrive in an atmosphere of conflict. He also warned against the manipulation of young people through religion and politics, and called for cross-faith cooperation as key to national development.
On public health, Ilobanafor urged Nigerian youths to take a leading role in the fight against malaria through the Geneith Health Competition. He dedicated the award to young Nigerians committed to building a prosperous country through innovation and honest enterprise.
“I dedicate this recognition to every young leader, innovator, and entrepreneur striving for a better tomorrow, especially those preparing to become malaria ambassadors through the Geneith Health Competition,” he said.
“Together, we can build a Nigeria where peace, good health and opportunity thrive for all,” he added.
Other IRYAPU officials present included Programme Director, Comrade Yahaya Garba; Secretary-General, Michael Omoba; and South-South Coordinator, Jamiu Sunday.