The global conflict prevention organization, International Crisis Group (ICG), has named the outgoing governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, as one of seven outstanding personalities worldwide to be honoured with its annual awards for 2015.

The Brussels-based think tank, in a media release Thursday, says Mr. Fashola is being conferred with the Stephen J. Solarz Award “for his commitment to resolving social, economic and security challenges in one of the world’s most challenging urban environments.”

Other awardees include Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, who is being recognized for “his visionary reshaping of private sector initiatives to promote peace, human rights and sustainable development” and former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, who was chosen for her “exemplary efforts to prevent conflict and mass atrocities, alleviate suffering during the Balkan crisis, and protect refugees worldwide.”

Two Tunisians, President Béji Caïd Essebsi and Nahdha Party leader, Rached Ghannouchi, were both chosen for their “unwavering dedication to pluralism, inclusion and compromise during Tunisia’s democratic transition.”

Others to be honoured are the former Italian foreign minister Emma Bonino for her “tireless role in deescalating tensions and promoting peace” in several countries, and former Australian foreign minister, Gareth Evans, who passionately promoted the principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and also headed the International Crisis Group as its pioneer president.

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