Businessman and chairperson of the Sekunjalo Group, Dr. Iqbal Survé, has received the prestigious International Friendship Award at a ceremony held in Madrid, Spain.
The award, presented by Her Majesty, Queen Letizia of Spain, was given in recognition of Survé’s efforts to foster Africa and world relations, focusing on the promotion of entrepreneurship, communications, social commitment and his efforts to end prejudice.
Now in its third year, the International Friendship Award is given to individuals from countries around the world who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of their own country, and the rest of the world.
Dr. Survé congratulated fellow African, Ibukun Awosika, chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, who was also acknowledged at the event.
The two are the first and only Africa-based recipients of this award.
Dr. Survé said he was deeply honoured by the award and he received it on behalf of all Africans who work towards the peaceful development of the continent.
“I want to thank my family, my friends, the employees of the Sekunjalo Group and associated companies, and the many community activists and social justice partners, NGOs and coalitions that have shared this journey with me over the last few years,” he said.
“This is our award and pays homage to the collective effort that everyone has made to try and create a better world. Whether we do it through the medical treatment of detainees, through business, or the use of our resources to create jobs and overcome poverty, whether through the media where we provide narratives that showcase a plurality of opinions ... we do what we do, driven by the desire and determination to build a better world.”
Dr. Survé is the founder of Survé Philanthropies and a patron of the World’s Children’s Prize programme, which has educated and empowered over 44 million children.
In April this year Dr. Survé was appointed to the First Council of the Belt and Road News Network.
The network has become the largest and most widely participated media event in China.
African News Agency