Rivervalley Group Leaders, Amb. Prof. Smelly Dube and Eng. Dr. Mncedisi Dube, to Be Honoured at 16th Peace Achievers Awards 2026

Zimbabwean Business Leaders H.E. Amb. Prof. Smelly Dube and Eng. Dr. Mncedisi Dube to Join Distinguished African Personalities for Recognition in Abuja.

Two distinguished business leaders from Zimbabwe, H.E. Amb. Prof. Smelly Dube, Group Chief Executive Officer of Rivervalley Group, and Eng. Dr. Mncedisi Dube, Group Chairman of Rivervalley Group, are among the prominent personalities billed for recognition at the 16th Peace Achievers International Awards 2026, scheduled to hold at 6:00 p.m. on November 7, 2026, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Nigeria.

Their inclusion among this year’s honourees highlights the awards’ commitment to recognising outstanding leadership, entrepreneurship, institutional development and contributions to economic growth across Africa.

The prestigious ceremony will also recognise other influential personalities from Nigeria and beyond, including the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina; the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mallam Rabiu A. Umar; Premium Bello, CEO of MasterMind Investment Group; and High Chief (Dr.) Mike Ebi Ayapaye, Director-General of the Creek to Creek Movement and a leading figure at Mia Lush Energy Services Limited.

Other distinguished honourees include Amb. Dr. Nimi Briggs, CEO of NIMPAT Group; HRH Amb. Suleiman A. Ako, the Osu Ajiri of Udege Chiefdom and Paramount Ruler of the Afo Nation, Nasarawa State; ESV. Osilama Emmanuel Osilama, Group Chairman and CEO of Noel Osilama Global Group Inc.; Abdulhafiz Umar Barau, Dan Isan Gusau/Magayakin Tsafe and Founder of AUG Foundation; and Alh. Kabiru Lawal Muhammad (KLM), Jagaban Zamfara and Founder of KLM Foundation.

The list further features Dr. Sandra N. Uzodimma, Founder of Mom of Boys Nigeria; Mr. Ukadike Ifeanyi Daniel, MD/CEO of Dollar Group; Amb. Dr. Princess Akawor Dolor, President of the Princess Thyroid Awareness Initiative; Alh. Dr. Sanusi Teslim, CEO of Jeje-Ola Properties Ltd.; Mr. Kayode Akintemi, Managing Director of News Central TV; Dr. Auwal Abdullahi, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Backbone Connectivity Network Limited; Dr. Ladejobi Tosin Isaac, Chairman of Toslad Group; and Mr. JohnBull N. Igwe, Managing Director of iShotit International Ltd.

The honourees represent diverse sectors, including business, education, energy, real estate, media, traditional leadership, healthcare, philanthropy and community development. Their recognition is intended to celebrate individuals whose professional achievements and leadership have contributed to institutional advancement, economic opportunities, peacebuilding and societal progress.

For Rivervalley Group, the recognition of H.E. Amb. Prof. Smelly Dube and Eng. Dr. Mncedisi Dube places a spotlight on the importance of visionary corporate leadership and the role of African business leaders in advancing enterprise, investment and sustainable development. Their participation also reinforces the awards’ broader pan-African outlook, bringing together distinguished personalities whose work spans different industries and national boundaries.

Prof. Aina is billed to receive the Distinguished Educational Technology, Digital Transformation & Institutional Leadership Award, in recognition of his leadership in education and the advancement of technology-driven institutional development.

Mallam Umar will receive the Distinguished Petroleum Regulatory Leadership & Energy Sector Development Award, while High Chief (Dr.) Mike Ebi Ayapaye is to be honoured with the Distinguished Leadership in Peacebuilding, Youth Empowerment & Niger Delta Community Development Award, acknowledging his contributions to grassroots development and initiatives aimed at promoting peace and opportunities for young people in the Niger Delta.

The forthcoming ceremony is expected to attract political leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, entertainers, media practitioners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Convener of the Peace Achievers International Awards, Amb. Dr. Kingsley Amafibe, said the 16th edition would spotlight individuals whose achievements extend beyond personal success to positively influence communities, institutions and national development.

According to him, the awards will recognise excellence across peacebuilding, leadership, humanitarian service, entrepreneurship, public service, education, healthcare, entertainment, media and community development.

He explained that the platform was established not merely to celebrate professional accomplishments, but also to acknowledge how individuals use their positions, resources and influence to improve lives and address societal challenges.

“True achievement is not measured only by the positions people occupy or the wealth they accumulate, but also by the positive difference they make in the lives of others,” he said.

Amafibe further emphasised that peace must be understood beyond the absence of conflict, noting that a peaceful society is one where people have opportunities to thrive, differences are resolved through dialogue, and communities coexist in an atmosphere of inclusion and mutual respect.

He added that the 2026 edition would provide an opportunity to celebrate excellence while encouraging conversations around responsible leadership, national unity and collective responsibility for building a better society.

The convener expressed hope that the achievements of this year’s honourees, including the leadership of Rivervalley Group and other distinguished award recipients, would inspire young Africans to embrace integrity, innovation, compassion and service, irrespective of their chosen professions.

With a diverse lineup of leaders from the corporate world, public institutions and community development, the 16th Peace Achievers International Awards 2026 is set to celebrate impactful leadership while reinforcing the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in building a more peaceful and prosperous Africa.