Mutaru Muqthar expresses joy

Muqthar has expressed joy and appreciation over his selection as winner of the prestigious award.

In a reaction to the jury he said “I am deeply humbled and honoured to be chosen as winner of the African of The Year award for 2017. I am unable to truly capture how I feel about this at the moment. Working in an area that is highly unpopular and challenging for especially young people, there is no greater testament and validation of our work than this noble award.

“This is far more greater than anything we have ever accomplished or even envisaged when we set out to engage in countering violent extremism and radicalization in West Africa.

“This has come at a time West Africa continues to serve as an epicentre for radicalization and violent extremism. My team and I therefore receive this with great excitement and gratitude and are confident that this will forever serve as a huge motivation to continue to do more in dealing with the challenge of violent extremism and radicalisation in West Africa.

“I dedicate this to all the vulnerable youth I have worked with including the radicalized young man whom we have helped to stop from travelling to Syria last year and to all victims of terrorism, who have never in any way considered violence as a legitimate course of action.

“My greatest appreciation to Daily Trust, UBA Bank and the eminent award committee for this. Thank you all for the honour and the confidence reposed in me, I’m more determined to make Africa proud.”