Opinion
The Habari Networks’ 10 most influential people of 2012
The following is a compilation of individuals who we feel have made tremendous contributions to world, and have impacted the lives of people globally descent during the course of 2012.
These individuals are titans and have excelled in politics, diplomacy, business and sports. We will be watching them in the next year.
1). Barack Obama
Nationality: American
Occupation: President of The United States
President Barack Obama tops our list of the most influential people of 2012.
Mr. Obama was re-elected to a second 4 year term in a tough, decisive and bruising election. History will not record the Obama presidency as a fluke.
Obama’s achievements in his first term include the ending of both the Iraq and Afghan wars; the rescuing from collapse of the auto industry; the reversal of the decline of the American economy (The United States pulled out of the recession); the passage of a comprehensive health bill “Obamacare”; the destruction of al-Qaeda boss Osama bin Laden and the open admission of gay service members of the military.
The next 4 years of an Obama presidency are fraught with challenges – the possibility of the United States falling back into recession as a result of the ‘fiscal cliff’; and the possibility of a nuclear armed Iran.
2). Aliko Dangote
Nationality: Nigerian
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Aliko Dangote is the CEO and founder of the Dangote Group, the largest industrial conglomerate in Africa. Mr. Dangote is a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist whose contribution continues to better the lives of Africans.
Under Mr. Dangote’s stewardship, the Dangote Group is on target to becoming one of the largest cement manufacturers in the world.
Aliko Dangote is the richest black man in the world – with a net worth of US$ 13 billion.
3). Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Nationality: Liberian
Occupation: President of Liberia
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is the President of Liberia. She is the first woman president in Africa and was first elected into office on January 16 2006. She is presently serving her second and final term as Liberia’s head of state.
Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakel Karman of Yemen.
4). Gabrielle Douglas
Nationality: American
Occuption: Athlete
16 year-old Gabrielle (Gabby) Douglas made history at the 2012 Olympics in London when she became the first African-American female to win gold medals in both the individual all-round competition and team events.
Douglas overcame numerous challenges including racism (as one of the few black gymnasts involved in the sport). In an interview with Oprah Winfrey’s “Oprah’s Next Chapter”, Douglas revealed that she was even called a “slave” by a fellow gymnast.
Douglas has received many accolades including the title of “Sportswoman of the Year from the Women’s Sports Foundation”.
Gabby Douglas has demonstrated strength of character and great determination and has been included on The Habari Network’s 10 most influential people of the year.
5). Serena Williams
Nationality: American
Occupation: Athlete
Serena Williams started out this year on a low key – making early exits at both the Australian and French Opens. (She was outed in the first round in Paris). Sports pundits and “experts” eagerly jumped on these performances declaring that her best days were behind her.
31-year old Williams proved everyone of her critics wrong – Serena Williams recovered and went on to win the Wimbledon Championship for a record fifth time; won an individual Olympic gold medal; won a doubles Olympic gold medal together with her sister Venus; dominated the field to win the U.S. Open championship; proceeded to win the WTA championships, and was awarded the women’s WTA player of the year was named the women’s ITF world champion.
Serena Williams has played some of the best tennis of her career. She is probably the greatest women’s tennis player and she was deservedly named one of The Habari Network’s 10 most influential people of 2012.
6). Usain Bolt
Nationality: Jamaican
Occupation: Athlete
The fastest man on the planet Usain Bolt has had a fantastic year. The charismatic, like-able and affable Usain Bolt was one of the main attractions at the London Olympic games – where he dominated the field and went on to win three gold medals.
Bolt went on to successfully defend his 100 and 200 meter titles and the 4 by 100 meter relay team event.
Bolt has been named the IAAF athlete of the year for the forth time (having won it previously in 2008, 2009 and 2011).
Forbes magazine has named the 6-foot-5 Usain Bolt on its impressive 30 under 30 list (alongside NBA stars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, gymnast Gabrielle Douglas).
Because of his stellar performance on the track, Usain Bolt is earning US$9 million per year in his contract with Puma, making him the highest paid track and field athlete in history. He also earns millions from endorsement deals with global brands such as Nissan, Visa, Gatorade and his own line of Headphones.
He has used a good part of his earnings to improve the lives of fellow Jamaicans and continues to contribute to the development of sports talent in his native Jamaica.
7). Fatou Bensouda
Nationality: Gambian
Occupation: Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
Gambia native Fatou Bensouda was this year sworn in as the International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor to lead the fight against the world’s worst war criminals.
Ms. Bensouda, has been named ‘Person of the Year’ by Gambia News and Report weekly magazine. She is the first black person to lead the ICC.
Bensouda’s international career as a non-government civil servant formally began at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, where she worked as a Legal Adviser and Trial Attorney.
Bensouda has been the recipient of various awards, most notably, the distinguished ICJ International Jurists Award in 2009; the 2011 World Peace Through Law Award, and was listed by Time magazine among the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011. She has been named by a leading African magazine, Jeune Afrique as the 4th most influential personality in Africa in the Civil Society category.
8). Kofi Annan
Nationality: Ghanaian
Occupation: Diplomat, Former U.N. Secretary General
Ghana native Kofi Annan served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations – the first black man to head the international organization.
Because of his star power, integrity, experience and respectability, Annan was appointed as the U.N. special envoy for Syria to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. His primary goal was to stop the killings of civilians and human rights abuses, as well as to place Syria on a path toward political transition.
Annan quit after becoming frustrated with the U.N.’s lack of progress with regard to conflict resolution, stating that “when the Syrian people desperately need action, there continues to be finger-pointing and name-calling in the Security Council”, particularly because of the standoff between its five veto-wielding members: Russia and China on one side, the United States, Britain and France on the other.
9). Portia Simpson-Miller
Nationality: Jamaican
Occupation: Prime Minister of Jamaica
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller was voted back into office on December 29 2011 after securing a landslide victory.
Simpson-Miller who is Jamaica’s first woman prime minister recaptured power after having narrowly lost the September 2007 vote.
Simpson-Miller has presided over Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence, called for full civil rights for the LGBT community in Jamaica, while working to better the lives of Jamaicans by increasing jobs and gradually pulling the country out of the recession that hit the nation in 2008-2009.
Ms. Simpson-Miller has renewed calls to break with the British monarchy and make the island-nation a republic. Her presence on the political scene continues to inspire girls and women, especially in the Caribbean diaspora, to get involved in public service and to make a difference. Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller surely makes The Habari Network’s 10 most influential people of 2012.
10). Fabrice Muamba
Nationality: Congolese-British
Occupation: Former Athlete, Motivational speaker
Soccer player Fabrice Muamba suffered cardiac arrest during a televised match earlier this year. His heart stopped for a full 78 minutes, however due to quick action by his doctors, Muamba made a miraculous and full recovery. He has since retired from professional soccer.
Since retiring, he has been active in activities that bring awareness of cardiac disease, and has participated in the distribution of defibrillators in schools and sports clubs.