Kemi Badenoch, Akinyemi emerge 2024 Yoruba persons of the year

January 11, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) has named Kemi Badenoch and Dr. Akinyemi as the winners of the 2024 Yoruba Person of the Year award.

This recognition is for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields and for bringing pride to the Yoruba Nation and Africa.

According to AYDM, “The two individuals are personalities who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields and brought pride to the Yoruba Nation and Africa in 2024.”

Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the British Conservative Party, was recognized for her historic achievement as the first Black woman to lead one of the oldest political parties in the world. AYDM praised her for her “penchant for truth, strength of character, ethics, hardwork and brilliance.”

Dr. Akinyemi, a Yoruba scientist based in Russia, was honored for his groundbreaking work in cancer research.

AYDM noted that he was part of a team developing a personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine, which is expected to become available in 2025.

AYDM’s General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi, stated that the award is in recognition and celebration of the two most distinguished individuals among over 100 million Yoruba people across the continents.

He said, “The two Yoruba people were the greatest inspiration in the year 2024. They achieved rare feat in two realms: Politics and Science.”

The award is part of AYDM’s commitment to celebrating Yoruba history, culture, and individuals who exemplify the ethos of Omoluabi—integrity, industry, and selflessness.