Nigerian Professor David Iornem, has won the 2016 edition of the United States Presidential Council Award.
He was also granted a license by the government of Benin Republic to operate a private university in that country. The university, Ecole Superieure Universitaire (ESU), which is located in Cotonou, was one of the 16 new private universities approved by the government of Benin.
The award, which is also known as Lifetime Achievement Award, was instituted by former US President, George W. Bush, in 2003 to recognise extraordinary voluntary services in sports, industry, food and nutrition, economic development, education, medicine, tourism and youth development.
Professor Iornem’s award is in the education category. Reports say It was presented to him in Dubai in the United Arab EmirateS (UAE) by Professor George Reiff on behalf of President Barack Obama.
Professor Iornem, who presented the award in Abuja on Tuesday to his friends and associates, described the honour done him by the US government as the work of God, and said he was dedicating it to his friends who have been supportive of his voluntary service.
Accompanying the award is the insignia (coat of arms) of the United States of America.
Before him, five individuals were former recipients of the award. They include S. Truett Cathy, Zach Bronner, Brandon Pugh, Thomas Smith and Stanley Williams.
