BY Our Reporter
The former Commandant of the National Defence College, NDC, and the Balogun of Akure Kingdom, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade (Rtd.) will Chair the 2026 International Humanitarian Award and Lecture being organized by the United Towns Agency for North South Cooperation (UTA).
The event scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, on Thursday, August 20, 2026 is part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World International Humanitarian Day.
The UTA International Humanitarian Award and Lecture is a high-level platform meant to recognize outstanding individuals and institutions making extraordinary contributions to humanitarian service in Nigeria and across Africa. The event which will also feature a Lecture on, Breaking the Cycle: Achieving Lasting Solutions to Humanitarian Crises in Nigeria and Beyond; will also serve as a forum to unveil, UTA-Social Centre, a community-based facility designed to provide vocational training, healthcare support and welfare services for vulnerable groups.
According to Ambassador Princess Abigail Amalaha, Country President of UTA, the choice of Rear Admiral Alade to chair the event is predicated on his distinguished record of service and numerous humanitarian interventions to his community, Ondo State, and Nigeria at large.
“Rear Admiral Alade embodies the values of duty, compassion, and leadership that define true humanitarian service. His pedigree in national security, peace-building, and community development makes him eminently qualified to preside over this gathering of leaders committed to humanity,” Amb. Amalaha stated.
The event will bring together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, UN agencies, traditional rulers, the private sector, and civil society organizations.
In addition to chairing the occasion, Rear Admiral Alade (Rtd) will also be honoured with the UTA Humanitarian Award in recognition of his selfless service to humanity.
The United Towns Agency for North South Cooperation (UTA) is an International Non-Governmental Organization in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The organization is involved in promoting solidarity, sustainable development, and humanitarian cooperation between cities and communities within the global North and South.
(The Sun)