Queen Hauwakulu, Dr Usman Nga-Kupi, Others Honoured at GAIYD Great Achievers Awards 2026

Prominent personalities, including HRH Queen Hauwakulu Adamu Ibrahim, HRH Alhaji Dr Usman Nga-Kupi, Engr. Frank Nwike, Chief Eleduma Gbenga Abiodun and Mr. Salihu AbdulAhmed Dembos, have been honoured at the fourth edition of the Great Achievers Awards 2026 organised by the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD) in Abuja.

The award ceremony, held on Saturday, recognised individuals and organisations whose contributions to community development, humanitarian services, education, entrepreneurship, leadership, broadcasting and youth mentorship have made significant impact in society.

Queen Hauwakulu Adamu Ibrahim received the Community Development Advocate and Champion for Gender Equality and Justice award, while Alhaji Dr Usman Nga-Kupi was recognised as Champion of Education and Cultural Preservation.

Engr. Frank Nwike emerged as Outstanding Organisation of the Year, Chief Eleduma Gbenga Abiodun received the Humanitarian of the Year award, while Samuel Biboye Luwei was named Entrepreneur of the Year.

Other award recipients included Dr Hassan Hospital, which received the GAIYD Legacy Award; Salihu AbdulAhmed Dembos, Outstanding Leadership in Broadcasting; Okeke Chidozie, Africa's Trailblazer of the Year; David Ogidinta, Youth Mentor of the Year; and Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Mental Health Advocate of the Year.

Speaking at the event, President of GAIYD, Dr Hillary Akpua, disclosed that the organisation reached more than 49,585 direct and indirect beneficiaries through its youth development and boychild advocacy programmes in 2026.

He said the initiative also reached 37 schools across three states, distributed more than 4,300 copies of its book, Unheard Voices of the Boychild, and provided learning facilities to five schools.

Akpua explained that GAIYD began its boychild advocacy campaign in 2021 and was formally registered in 2023 to address challenges confronting boys and prepare them to become responsible members of society.

According to him, the organisation's activities included school sensitisation programmes, community engagements, parental awareness initiatives and sporting competitions designed to promote discipline, teamwork and positive values among boys.

"We believe that if there is a better boychild, there will be a better family. If there is a better family, there is going to be a better society," he said.

The GAIYD president announced plans to expand the organisation's programmes to more states and schools in 2027, with a target of at least 100 per cent growth in its impact.

In his keynote address, the Executive Director, Development Specs Academy, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, who spoke on the theme, "Raising Responsible Leaders, Building Sustainable Nations," called for responsible leadership anchored on tolerance, fairness, integrity and respect for others.

He maintained that leadership was not necessarily determined by titles or official positions but by the ability to influence decisions and make meaningful contributions to society.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Head of its Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit, Aisha Muhammad, emphasised the importance of integrity education and early value re-orientation in raising responsible young people.

He said the commission's efforts extended beyond the arrest and prosecution of offenders to preventing corruption through public enlightenment, citing the establishment of Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools and Zero Tolerance Clubs in tertiary institutions.

Similarly, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Mainasara Kogo Umar, identified money politics, weak ideological foundations and divisive sentiments as challenges to Nigeria's democratic development. He urged citizens to prioritise national unity, accountability and responsible political participation.

Other speakers at the event included Imran Hassan, Ms Oma Favour Igboanua and Mrs Hauwa Aminu Wambai, who contributed to discussions on leadership, youth development and nation-building.

The ceremony also acknowledged the contributions of institutional and corporate partners, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), EFCC, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hillak Holdings, Rockbase Developers, Homadil Reality, Dr Hassan's Hospital, Heladi Prime Limited, De Ace Cribs, Etazuma M&I, Boys2Men Coaching and Mentoring, Neovantage Foundation and Vinael Wines.

Akpua expressed appreciation to the organisation's partners and supporters for their contributions to advancing its mission of youth empowerment, boychild advocacy and community development.