Soccer
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has been named one of Africa’s 100 Most Notable Peace Icons for 2025, joining a prestigious list of influential leaders across the continent, including billionaire banker Tony Elumelu and Egyptian football superstar Mohamed Salah, Soccernet.ng reports.
The list was unveiled at a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday by the organisers of the 2025 Peace Icons Awards as per The Guardian. This is ahead of the ‘100 Most Notable Africans Leadership and Business Summit’ scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 4 to 6.
Osimhen’s inclusion comes after a phenomenal season in Turkey, where he netted 36 goals in 40 matches for Galatasaray while on loan from Napoli.
The 26-year-old Nigerian was instrumental in securing a historic league and cup double, becoming the most prolific one-season foreign player in Galatasaray’s history.
The Lagos-born striker has already been crowned Galatasaray’s Player of the Season and is set to be officially confirmed as the 2024–25 Super Lig top scorer, with 25 league goals, including nine crucial openers that often changed the course of matches.
Osimhen joins Nigerian bilionaire Elumelu and Egypt’s Salah on Africa’s 100 Peace Icons list
Other Nigerians honoured include Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Femi Otedola, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, and Dr Charles Odii, head of Nigeria’s SMEDAN.
Also making the list are Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Amb. Patricia Obi-Abu, and Dr Saviour Enyiekere, Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission.
Beyond Nigeria, the continental list features heavyweight names like Dr Imane Kendili (Morocco), Prof Mthuli Ncube, Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, and Tanzania’s Dr Angel Josephat Natianota.
Project Director Amb. Kingsley Amafibe praised the honourees, noting that the award is a celebration of Africans who have “consistently used their platforms and influence to promote peace, unity, and socio-economic development.”
For Victor Osimhen, a return to Napoli is on the card this summer even as the Super Eagles striker prepares for a move abroad.
It already appears like the former Lille has been snubbed by Chelsea, with the newly-crowned Europa Conference League winners sealing a deal for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.
Still, Manchester United, Liverpool, PSG, and a couple of Saudi Arabian clubs remain possible destinations for Osimhen.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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