The Stay Africa Youth Development Initiative (SAYDI) has conferred the prestigious Nelson Mandela Pan African Leadership Award on Engineer Sarat Braimah, Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), in recognition of her hard work, transformative leadership, and dedication to national service.
The Accra, Ghana-based organisation, led by its President, Dominic Mensah, was in Lagos on Wednesday to formally present the award to the NIWA chief. Engineer Braimah was said to have been pleasantly surprised by the honour.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Mensah explained that the Nigerian chapter of SAYDI nominated Engineer Braimah following the remarkable transformation recorded at the NIWA Lagos Area Office since she assumed office. He commended her for promoting student and youth empowerment, supporting the developmental strides of the Lagos State Government, and maintaining zero tolerance for nepotism and favouritism.
He further highlighted her commitment to teamwork and her selfless leadership style, which he described as reflective of enduring African moral values. According to him, her steady rise through the ranks in the maritime sector serves as an inspiration to young Africans, particularly women seeking to build careers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
“Our core objective is to identify tomorrow’s leaders today by inspiring and educating young people in Africa to remain on the continent and contribute to its sustainable development across all fields of human endeavour. This is where mentorship becomes essential. We seek out achievers like you who have risen through the ranks to inspire other young Africans to stay back and contribute to the growth of the continent,” Mensah said.
In addition to the leadership award, Ambassador Mensah presented Engineer Braimah with a Certificate of Excellence and announced her automatic induction into the Pan African Leadership Hall of Fame as an amazon of nation building in Africa.
In her response, Engineer Braimah expressed deep appreciation for the recognition, noting that although she had not previously encountered the organisation, she strongly aligns with its vision of empowering young Africans to drive development within the continent.
“I want to sincerely thank you for this award, which I do not take for granted. It will inspire me to do more for my organisation, Nigeria, and Africa’s maritime development. I believe in and encourage teamwork and dedication. Therefore, this award is dedicated to my superiors in Abuja and to all those who work tirelessly, sacrificing time with family and friends, to support me here in Lagos as Area Manager. I pray that many young people will remain focused and give their best to Nigeria and indeed Africa,” she stated.
The award ceremony underscored SAYDI’s commitment to recognising African leaders whose service and integrity continue to shape institutions and inspire the next generation across the continent.
