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Enugu State has once again earned continental recognition as Ihuoma Eze, the State Project Coordinator of the APPEALS Project, has been honoured with the Thomas Sankara Pan-African Leadership Prize for Excellence.
The award, presented by the Youth Partnership for Africa’s Development (YOUPAD) in Enugu, came with the honorary decoration of Amazon of Public Service Prudence. It was witnessed by eminent African youth leaders, state dignitaries and development stakeholders from across the continent.
Named after the late Burkinabé’s revolutionary leader, Thomas Sankara, the prize celebrates principled leadership, transformative service and commitment to Africa’s dignity.
Past recipients include Nigeria’s Prof. Bart Nnaji, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Vincent Biruta, Sudan’s former President, Umar Al-Bashir, and Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.
Speaking at the event, YOUPAD President, Nwankwo Nkem, said Eze was recognised not only as an administrator but also as “a Pan-African model of prudence, transparency, and human-centred leadership.”
He traced her career back to her outstanding contributions under the World Bank-assisted NEWMAP project and praised her leadership of APPEALS, which has redefined agriculture in Enugu State.
“Under her watch, agriculture has moved from subsistence levels to structured, commercially oriented practices. Farmers now have access to resources, mentorship and market linkages. Above all, she has shown zero tolerance for corruption,” Nkem said.
Quoting an African proverb, he added: “An army of sheep led by a lion is stronger than an army of lions led by a sheep. In Enugu State, APPEALS is not an army of sheep but an army of lions led by a lioness.”
Also speaking, YOUPAD Vice President, Austin Akin Kwasi from Ivory Coast, commended Eze for breaking barriers in a male-dominated space.
“In many African countries, women are still confined to traditional roles. Yet, here is a young woman leading with wisdom and competence, achieving what many men struggle to accomplish. While she may see this as service to her state, Africa sees it as a continental triumph,” he said.
On her part, Eze dedicated the honour to God, her family, Enugu State, and especially farmers and project beneficiaries.
“This award is not about me; it is about the people we serve. It is about the farmers who wake up every day with hope that their toil will translate into prosperity.
“It is about women and youth who dream of commercial success in agriculture. I stand here not as an individual achiever but as a representative of countless hands and minds that labour for a better society,” he stated.
She added that the recognition would motivate her to keep working for sustainable development in Enugu, Nigeria and across Africa.
Delegates from over 20 African countries attended the event, including YOUPAD Secretary General, Paul Kwabena (South Africa) and Nigeria’s Coordinator, Daniel Donald.
