PRESIDENT BUHARI, GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND OTHERS LISTED AMONG THE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN AFRICA 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari and Dr Goodluck Jonathan have been named among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2015 by New Africa magazine.

The publication, which was released yesterday, also has other Nigerians recognized. They include the UN Special Advisor on
Post Development Planning, Amina J. Mohammed; AfDB’s new President, Akinwumi Adesina and a surprising addition in the form of Nigerian Diaspora, UK MP and Labor Party leadership hopeful, Chuka Umunna; World Bank VP and Treasurer, Arunma Oteh, and Nigerian industrialist, Aliko Dangote also makes the list.

The annual “100 Most Influential Africans of 2015,” according to a statement from the magazine, presents the continent’s definitive power list and profiles the continent’s top game changers in eight different fields: Politics (22); Public Office (four); Arts and Culture (21); Business (21); Civil Society (11); Technology (nine); Media (seven); and Sports (five). Among the 30 countries represented, Nigerians and South Africans dominated the list, with 20 and 16 personalities respectively.

Kenya, Uganda and Cameroon also feature strongly with eight, six and six entries each respectively.

Of the top 100 personalities, 65 are men and 32 are women, with the other three being groups of people. South Africa’s students, for example, were recognised this year for their role in South Africa’s #FeesMustFall and #Rhodesmustfall campaigns.

The publication said: “In one of the continent’s most dramatic and unusual elections of 2015, and Nigeria’s most significant in recent history, Muhammadu Buhari defeated his opponent, Goodluck Jonathan. Both are recognized in New African.

“Other Nigerians recognised include the UN Special Advisor on Post Development Planning, Amina J. Mohammed, AfDB’s new President, Akinwumi Adesina and a surprising addition in the form of Nigerian Diasporan, UK MP and Labor Party leadership hopeful, Chuka Umunna.”

South Africa has its fair share of political influences, among them “the black leader of South Africa’s ‘white’ opposition” party, the DA’s youthful Mmusi Maimane who also makes the list as one to watch during the next elections.