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Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio is among other Africans been nominated champion of Blue Economy in Africa.

Raila Odinga, Kenyan opposition leader, Rotimi Amaechi, and others were also nominated for different categories within the Blue Economy.

The Politico, a newspaper based in Freetown, stated that all are set to be inaugurated on Marc 12, 2022, at a public event in Nairobi Kenya.

The award, according to the organisers, the Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF) is in recognition of distinguished African professionals and political leaders who have made verifiable contributions towards the advancement of the blue (ocean) economy.

Bio was nominated for the Economic Development category for providing political leadership, improved regulation by enforcing the rule of law, and promoting investments in the blue economy.

“He promotes sustainable fishing through programs aimed at curbing unreported and unregulated fishing,” a press statement from the ABEF reads.

“We are particularly delighted that the nomination is for the economic development category which is a recognition of all the achievements he has made: increasing revenue mobilisation in the fishery sector, curbing unreported and unregulated fishing, improving the maritime sector, tackling environmental issues in the blue economy and leading on blue economy initiatives in Africa.”

He said they are hopeful that this international nomination will continue to exhibit President Bio’s leadership on global challenges.

Raila Odinga, Former Prime Minister of Kenya was also nominated for the Livelihood Improvement category for promoting programmes and efforts to improve livelihood and social inclusion in coastal communities in Kenya through harnessing blue economy opportunities in tourism, transport and aquaculture.

The current Nigerian Minister of Transport, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was nominated for the Maritime Security category. “This is in recognition for his role in the introduction and implementation of deep blue security project which has led to a marked reduction of the incidences of piracy at sea and overall improvement of maritime security across the gulf of guinea,” the statement reads in part.

Nassim Oulmane, Chief Blue and Green Economy, of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), was nominated in the Climate Change and Economic Development category for his role in the promotion of multi-sectoral collaboration for advancing blue economy and climate change.

Barka Mossae of the African Union is the nominee for the Partnership category, in recognition of her role in promoting partnerships for the enhancing of the blue economy at the African Union.

Speaking to our correspondent, Dr. Charles Philemon, the Acting Head of Publicity of ABEF said the Forum received several names of people across Africa for the various categories but that after a thorough vetting by the Steering Committee chaired by Nancy Kairara, a lawyer based in Mombasa, Kenya. She explained that the selection was transparently based on an agreed criteria backed by evidence of their work in their respective countries. The ceremony is said to be the maiden edition of the Africa Blue Economy Champions Award 2021.

ABEF is a coalition of professionals, scholars, civil society organizations, and activists working for the advancement of blue economy and sustainable development in the African continent. ABEF seeks to achieve
their objectives by raising awareness of the unique potential of the oceans to accelerate Africa’s sustainable development, providing training, seeking investments and brokering partnerships.