Benjamin Justice Soghie Wins Yessiey Man of the Year 2023

By Shola Adebiyi

Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist Benjamin Justice Soghie, Chairman and CEO of E.I.A Concept Limited, was decorated with the Yessiey Man of the Year 2023 at the elite Yessiey Awards organized by the African Leadership Organization in collaboration with Yessiey Magazine.

This accolade recognizes Soghie’s significant humanitarian contributions and dedication to social impact over the past two decades. Through the Benjamin Justice Soghie Foundation, he has positively impacted over 100,000 lives in Nigeria by providing healthcare, education, economic empowerment, elder care, and access to justice.

The event started with a speech of welcome by a former senator of Nigeria, who commended the awardees for leadership and service in the growth of the continent. The keynote speeches by the President of the Rotary Club and the Prime Minister of Uganda were on the necessity of economic growth, investment in social infrastructure, and inclusive leadership for the future of Africa.

Soghie was humbly grateful in his acceptance speech and described his philanthropic work as a lifelong vocation. Quoting 2 Corinthians 9:12, he underscored the heavenly essence of service and devoted the award to the resilient communities his foundation serves.

The Benjamin Justice Soghie Foundation has established various programs, including medical outreaches, scholarships, and social welfare for vulnerable groups. Soghie emphasized the importance of long-term humanitarian interventions, noting that philanthropy is a journey and not a destination.

His latest award follows nominations for the Africa Illustrious Award and his induction as a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, validating his belief in long-term dedication to bettering the fortunes of others.

During the Policy, Investment, and Development Breakfast Forum, Soghie advocated for industrialization as the driver of Africa’s economic transformation. He noted that philanthropy alleviates suffering, yet industrialization creates jobs and empowers individuals to pull themselves out of poverty.

Soghie focused on financing barriers to African business growth, calling on policymakers and business leaders to craft innovative financing solutions and industrial policies to drive sustainable development. He highlighted that without capital, industries cannot thrive, and without jobs, prosperity cannot be achieved.

For the Yessiey Award, Soghie views this award as a call to action once more for multi-sectoral collaboration between government, business, and civil society. He expressed gratitude to his team partners and family who assisted him in the foundation’s success.

I accept this award as a renewed call to action—to serve more, to build more, and to inspire more—because together, we can energize Africa’s transformation,” he maintained. Soghie remains committed to expanding his philanthropic efforts while advocating economic policies that stimulate job creation and sustainable growth.