Stakeholders Call for Investment-Driven Peace at Nigeria's Pride Awards 2026

The 2026 Nigeria's Pride Awards, organized by the First Green White Resource Centre, recently took place in Abuja, with the theme "Celebrating Excellence, Patriotism, Sacrifice and Outstanding Service to Nigeria." The event recognized Nigerians whose achievements, sacrifices, and contributions continue to advance the country despite its numerous challenges. Former Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Gen. Paul Boroh, addressed the ceremony, calling for stronger partnerships between government, the private sector, and other stakeholders to unlock Nigeria's vast economic potential through sustainable investment.

Gen. Boroh emphasized that peace and investment are indispensable to national development, stressing that Nigeria is not poor but a resource-rich nation whose enormous potential remains largely untapped. He identified the country's youthful population, oil and gas resources, solid minerals, agricultural land, coastline, and entrepreneurial population as strategic assets capable of driving sustainable economic growth. However, he challenged stakeholders to move beyond identifying these opportunities and develop practical strategies for converting them into investments, employment, infrastructure, peace, and shared prosperity.

Boroh defined sustainable investment as investment that stays, grows, empowers communities, protects the environment, and gives youth a reason to believe in Nigeria. He drew from his experience in the Niger Delta and the Presidential Amnesty Programme, emphasizing the relationship between peace and economic development, warning that insecurity could undermine efforts to attract and retain investors. "No investor will come where there is no peace, and no peace will last where there is no investment. Peace and investment must walk together," he declared.

The convener of Nigeria's Pride Awards 2026, Bonaventure Phillips Melah, said the initiative was established to recognize Nigerians whose achievements, sacrifices, and contributions continue to advance the country. Melah observed that negative developments often dominate public discourse, leaving the achievements of hard-working Nigerians, institutions, and organizations insufficiently recognized. He stressed that outstanding achievements must be acknowledged and rewarded to inspire responsibility, particularly among young Nigerians and those entrusted with public responsibilities.

One of the award recipients, Dr. Hadiza Usman, founder of the Hajia Hadiza Foundation, called on Nigerian women to pursue financial independence and develop sustainable sources of income rather than depend entirely on government assistance. She advocated stronger collaboration between government and credible non-governmental organizations to ensure that interventions reach vulnerable people, particularly those living in impoverished and remote communities. Usman expressed concern that the prevailing economic situation was worsening the hardship faced by vulnerable Nigerians.

Some of this year's awardees include prominent personalities such as Dr. Allen Onyema of Air Peace, Dr. Zach Adedeji of the Nigeria Revenue Service, and Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen of NIGCOMSAT. The awards seek not only to reward success but also to inspire responsibility, particularly among young Nigerians and those entrusted with public responsibilities. The event celebrated the achievements of Nigerians across different sectors, showcasing exceptional talents, creativity, and resilience.

The Nigeria's Pride Awards 2026 also highlights the need for partnerships with credible NGOs to help government overcome barriers to reaching disadvantaged communities. The awardees were recognized for their contributions to national development, and the event provided an opportunity to showcase the country's vast economic potential and strategic assets. Key points from the event include the need for sustainable investment, peace, and collaboration between government and stakeholders to drive national development.

Key points

• The event emphasized the importance of sustainable investment in driving national development and peace in Nigeria.
• Stakeholders called for stronger partnerships between government, the private sector, and other stakeholders to unlock Nigeria's vast economic potential.
• The awards recognized Nigerians whose achievements, sacrifices, and contributions continue to advance the country despite its numerous challenges.