Institute Honours RMAFC Chairman, Others

Influential public officials, business executives, media proprietors, diplomats, academics and humanitarian advocates from across the world converged on London as the EuroKnowledge Institute, in partnership with Richmond College, United Kingdom, honoured some Nigerian leaders and individuals whose contributions have shaped leadership, innovation and public service in different sectors.

The 2026 Honorary Doctorate and Distinguished Fellows Conferral Ceremony, held on July 17 at the historic One Great George Street in Westminster, London, celebrated achievements spanning government, education, enterprise, healthcare, media, technology, law, diplomacy and humanitarian service.

In a statement signed yesterday by the event manager, Mr Tokunbo Fayomi, the organisers disclosed that the event underscored the growing international emphasis on recognising leaders whose works have transcended national boundaries and contributed to societal development, while also providing a platform for dialogue on the future of leadership, innovation and global cooperation.

During the ceremony, the chairman of EuroKnowledge Institute, Alex Itkin, said the significance of the recognition lies not merely in celebrating achievement but in encouraging greater responsibility and inspiring future generations of leaders.

“Recognition becomes meaningful when it strengthens responsibility, inspires others and creates a wider culture of leadership and service.”

Following the formal investiture, recipients reflected on leadership, service and the importance of international collaboration before participating in a networking reception attended by invited guests from government, academia, business and civil society.

The engagement provided an avenue for participants to explore opportunities for deeper partnerships, knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration in areas of education, enterprise and sustainable development.

The organisers said the Honorary Doctorate and Distinguished Fellows Conferral has continued to evolve into an international platform dedicated to recognising individuals whose achievements demonstrate excellence, integrity and sustained commitment to leadership, innovation, education, enterprise and humanitarian service.

Honorary doctorate ceremonies have increasingly become platforms through which academic and professional institutions acknowledge exceptional contributions to society outside the traditional academic pathway.

Such recognitions often celebrate leadership, innovation, public service, philanthropy and enterprise while encouraging collaboration among governments, educational institutions and the private sector.

The EuroKnowledge Institute described itself as an international leadership and knowledge platform committed to recognising excellence, promoting education and strengthening collaboration between academia, business and public service.

Through its partnerships and recognition initiatives, the Institute says it seeks to celebrate individuals whose work advances responsible leadership, innovation and sustainable global development.

Among the distinguished recipients of the EuroKnowledge honorary doctorate awards were Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, Chairman of Nigeria’s Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC); Dr. John Momoh, Founder of Channels Media Group; Rt Hon Sir Conor Burns, former UK Minister of State for Trade Policy; Chief Dr. Mrs Onikepo Akande, former Nigerian Minister of Industry; Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua; Alex Apau Dadey, Executive Group Chairman of KGL Group, Ghana; Pastor Afolabi Thomas Oketunji, Founder and President of Focus Initiatives and Senior Pastor of Christ Embassy International Church; Col. Kolawole Kayode Shaw (Rtd.), Managing Director of Kolie Mobs Ventures Limited; Papachsorn Meepa, Founder and President of Phuket9; alongside several other distinguished personalities from different parts of the world.