Pantami named Nigerian Muslim Personality Of The Year 2020

As Ahmed Musa, Yakubu Umar emerge Nigerian celebrity, Legal Persons of the Year

Muslim News Nigeria has announced winners at the 2020 media awards, tagged #MNAwards to celebrate Muslim achievers who have excelled and made the Muslim community proud in Nigeria and globally. The award, which is in its third year, features additional categories honour Muslim professionals in media, health, law, finance and entertainment industries.

The Publisher, Muslim Mews, Rasheed Abubakar, who initiated the awards in 2018 to celebrate unsung Muslim achievers, said investigations carried out by the committee showed that the winners participated in countless public awareness programmes, including the campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic for the community.

After rigorous selection, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Isa Pantami emerged winner of the ‘2020 Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year’ Award.

In a press statement, Abubakar said having keenly followed Sheikh Pantami’s activities alongside some top Nigerian Muslims in different fields of endeavor last year, Pantami’s quest for entrenching the digital economy policy for national development as a minister and understanding of pristine Islamic knowledge as a Muslim scholar are among the two critical factors that made for his emergence as Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year Award. He said the renowned Islamic scholar changed the face of global technological space, making headlines for his innovative ideas. His impactful, effective and robust engagement and exemplary leadership skills at National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), made President, Muhammadu Buhari elevate him to the position of honourable minister, with added responsibilities.

A veteran journalist, Alhaji Femi Abbas emerged as Media Person of the Year, Alhaji Abbas is a renowned faith-based (Islamic) columnist and media professional with experience spanning about 40 years in the industry.

Dr. Oyelami of Shifauk Hospital emerged has Health Person of the Year, Dr. Oyelami, who is currently the Amir (President) of Ondo State chapter of Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) was adjudged the most qualified candidate for the prestigious award. “Oyelami has been prominent in the COVID-19 fight since the pandemic hit Nigeria on February 27, 2020. He has organised many awareness programmes in mosques and communities. He also holds regular enlightenment talks on radio and television stations. Consequently, he was appointed as the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead for private hospitals in Ondo State COVID-19 Medical Team,” he added.

The former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Bauchi State, Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu Umar, emerged Legal Person of the Year.

“He has always been an advocate of shari’ah and been at forefront of the move for Lagos to be granted full autonomy to practice the shari’ah in the state as provided for in the Constitution of Nigeria. He ha been giving the support and encouragement in the implementation of shari’ah in the entire Southwest region.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Modupe AbdulKareem Kadri, emerged finance person of the year.
“He has mentored several young Muslims in the fields of accounting and finance as well as other fields. His combination of knowledge of the Qur’an and Hadith and other self-development books from various authors is worthy of emulation.”

The captain of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa, was named the 2020 Nigerian Muslim Celebrity of the Year.
The 28-year old forward was honoured with the prestigious award.

According to Abubakar, “There are so many Muslim celebrities in Nigeria. They are in the sports, music and movie industries. Having gone through the profiles and achievements of the shortlisted celebrities, Ahmed Musa met the criteria.”