Achievement Recognition Awards (ARA Awards) 2023 was truly a night to remember for delivering on a promise full of chillaxation, thought provoking discussion on the theme “Beyond Windrush 75-African Renaissance” and networking opportunities.
The Building Blocks Initiative, (BBI) organising the annual Achievement Recognition Awards 2023 for the 20th time announced Professor Emmanuel Ademola Ojo, as the recipient of Professional Leadership Excellence Recognition.
This, the organisers said, was in recognition of Professor Ojo’s immeasurable outstanding professional contribution to leadership excellence in knowledge transfer, Cyber Security, business and community development.
Other recipients of ARA Awards 2023 include;
Lucille Moffatt-Asante, YEGA 2023 WINNER, In recognition of her Creative Enterprising Mind, Determination & Perseverance.
Cllr (Dr) Mahamed Hashi, Young Leadership Development Recognition. In recognition of his immeasurable acts of selflessness, outstanding professional contribution and political leadership in knowledge transfer, community and youth development support.
Oluwatosin Khadijat Adesina, Save the Woman, Community Volunteering Recognition. In recognition of her consistent acts of selflessness and positive contribution to the development of Save the Woman charity, service users, wider Community and the Voluntary Sector.
Dr Imambay Kamara, Exemplary Community Lifetime Leadership Recognition. In recognition of her outstanding professional activism on women’s rights, protection from domestic abuse and public education on the harms domestic abuse does to both the victim and the whole family.
Cllr Nneka Keazor, Exemplary Political & Professional Leadership Recognition. In recognition of her outstanding professional contribution to political participation and community development
Caroline Namugabi, Professional Leadership Recognition for Community Development & Empowerment. In recognition of her immeasurable positive contribution to Black community economic development and empowerment.
Prof Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, Professional Leadership Excellence Recognition.
In recognition of his immeasurable outstanding professional contribution to leadership excellence in knowledge transfer, Cyber Security, business and community development.
Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, Exemplary Diaspora Community & Political Leadership Recognition. In recognition of his immeasurable exemplary community development and political leadership, and also serving as a great inspiration to the Nigerian diaspora communities and beyond
Ony Ikeji, Exemplary Professional Leadership Recognition. In recognition of her immeasurable exemplary professional leadership.
Anthony Everest (AREMUORIN), Exemplary Professional Creative Artist of the year. In recognition and appreciation of his immeasurable acts of generousity and exemplary professional leadership contribution to performing arts and the creative industry.
Tahira Tofa, YSDNDY, Exemplary Creative Artist of the year. In recognition and appreciation of her boldness, creativity and imaginative thinking in challenging societal norms and stereotypes through creative arts.
Tolu Osinderu, CLEVENARD. Outstanding Diaspora Professional Leadership Recognition. In recognition of his immeasurable outstanding sense of generous professional contribution and commitment to community empowerment and development.
Ebony Bain, Braids and Beauty, Entrepreneur of the Year. In recognition of her outstanding professional contribution to personal development and self-economic empowerment
Martin Forde KC. Honorary Exemplary Professional Leadership Recognition in Legal Profession. In recognition of his passion, commitment and immeasurable exemplary personal sacrifice and positive legal professional contribution to fighting for equality, fairness and social justice for all.
Prof Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, Honorary Exemplary Professional & Community
Leadership Recognition in academia and Cyber Security. In recognition of his immeasurable exemplary positive professional contribution to academic and community development.
Sandra Popoola OBE JP, Honorary Professional and Community Leadership Recognition. In recognition of her immeasurable exemplary sense of civic responsibility, volunteering, and positive professional contribution to the public sector and community development.
Kingsley Abrams, Honorary Political and Community Leadership Recognition. In recognition of his decades-long immeasurable exemplary positive contribution to community development, trade union movement and political activism.
Nadia Denton, Honorary Professional Leadership Recognition. In Creative Arts and Heritage. In recognition of her immeasurable exemplary outstanding positive professional contribution to the creative arts and heritage industry
Peter Akinbowale, Honorary Professional Excellence & Leadership Recognition. In recognition of his immeasurable exemplary outstanding professional leadership excellence in the financial services sector, most especially in Mortgage Brokerage.
Arthur Torrington CBE, Honorary Lifetime Achievement Recognition. In appreciation of his immeasurable exemplary outstanding lifetime commitment and dedication to fighting for fairness and social justice for the Windrush generation who answered to the distress call of the motherland Britain for her rebuilding following devastation of the second world war.
Aline Ngaoba, Honorary Community Leadership to Volunteering. In recognition and appreciation of her consistent acts of selflessness and positive contribution to the development of Building Blocks Initiative (BBI), Community and the Voluntary Sector for many years.
A lucky winner went away with the mystery BBI ARA WARDS AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR 2023 interactive competition trophy while some lucky winners walked away with the raffle prizes which included the highest of it all a donated FREE Night’s Stay at the Hilton London Kensington.
The BBI’s annual Awards has become a much- anticipated event within the Black and Minority Ethnic business and social calendar, bringing about community and industrial recognition, professional networking opportunities, social celebration and a spirit of togetherness.
Among dignitaries also present were Cllr Michael Situ, the Worshipful Mayor of Southwark accompanied by his deputy, Cllr Naima Ali. Among very important guests were Cllr Joy Laguda former Mayor Newham and her husband, Mrs Yemi Oso, former Mayor Waltham Forest, Dawn Grant, Black Economics and former award winner, Prince Mike Abiola of the African Voice, Femi Okutubo founder of both the GAB Awards and the Trumpet Newspapers, Jennifer Obaseki of the Obasaeki Solicitors, Joy Nichols, founder and the chief executive of former Nichols Employment Agency representatives of the Kato Enterprises, the drinks sponsors, Ayan Ayandosu, (Mr Culture), Anthony Everest, (AREMUORIN), the performing artist and winner of an award setting the stage alight with some cool live jazzy melodious tuned performance which was later complemented by a superb act from Aslan Nester making his debut at the ARA Awards for the first time.
BBI Awards are fully back following their three year virtual awards events forced upon them by the COVID-19 lockdown.
The event never fails to deliver on its promise of providing an interesting night for all.
Some pictures at the BBI ARA Awards 2023:
