Mayor of Housing Bags Mandela Leadership Award, Pledges More Support to African Youths

Foremost real estate investor in Port Harcourt and South-South, My-ACE China, popularly known as the Mayor of Housing, has bagged the Mandela Africa Leadership Award.

The real estate success strategist who is behind a new mini-city known as the Alesa Highland Smart City near Onne Port said after the award that he admired Nelson Mandela a lot and that he has tried to walk in his steps and work in his ethics.

The award was conveyed to Mr. China in his office by the Organization of African Youth (OAY) during a courtesy visit to the CEO and Managing Director of Mayor of Housing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

During this visit, Mr. China, already a UN Peace ambassador, was presented with the prestigious ‘Pan-African Nelson Mandela Leadership Award of Excellence and Integrity’, said to be a recognition of his outstanding contributions to societal development and his relentless efforts to combat poverty through execution of aggressive high-end housing scheme in the Niger Delta which in turn churn out jobs to the youth.

Leading the delegation, Francis Azubuike commended Mr. China’s remarkable achievements in addressing housing challenges in the region.

“We have seen your unwavering commitment to providing legitimate housing in Rivers State. Your distinguished service to Nigerians and our continent at large is commendable. You have demonstrated exemplary professionalism, strategic vision, and a deep sense of duty in tackling housing issues and safeguarding lives and property.”

Azubuike further emphasized that Amb. China’s efforts were instrumental in alleviating the burdens of poverty for many families in Port Harcourt, bringing hope and improved living conditions to a vulnerable population.

“His work exemplifies the core values of leadership that Nelson Mandela embodied—integrity, dedication, and a passion for service.”

He said the Organization of African Youth continues to champion the spirit of leadership and integrity across the continent, encouraging leaders like My-Ace China to pursue their missions with tenacity and compassion.

Reacting to the award, the organization’s accountant, Juliana Nwachukwu, who spoke on behalf of workers of the company, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recognition.

“My principal is a beacon of integrity in the housing sector. His love for humanity and commitment to serving God truly blesses Nigeria. This award reflects not just his work but also his vision for a better future for our people.”

In an interview after the award, Mr. China said African leaders were living a life far away from what Mandela put on the ground for the continent.

“What I admire most about Nelson Mandela is that he is a legend of possibility through persistence and patience. I am a big admirer of quotes and one of my favorite quotes from him is; ‘It is impossible until it is done’.

“For him to keep believing he saw a free South Africa after 27 years in prison is something that makes me know that persistence and patience rings in my mind when I face situations.”

The housing value chain expert said Mandela exemplified the example of a leader.

“One of the greatest leadership mantras is that the only way to lead is by example. Mandela not only gave Africa an example, gave the younger generation an example, and most of it all, he gave the world an example.

“He exemplified what a true leader should be. That is what every African leader should be. My simple question to any leader is, are you of what any youth should become, or what any unborn child should aspire to become, or are you an example that the world calls an example.”

“If no African leader is one the world can call an example, then, none of them is an example and the only way to lead is an example, and so none of them is emulating Mandela because none is a leader.”

Mr. China said he felt that Africa is the future of the world because 70% of African demography is youth.

“The energy for the future, the energy for productivity, and for change, is the youthful energy. Anything that has to do with African youth gets to me because I am a youth enthusiast and a youth empowerment advocate, a believer of the philosophy of youth empowerment.

“When African youths came to me, I was very delighted, but the delight became multiplied exponentially when I learnt it’s a ‘Nelson Mandela’ award. That made me remember that legend and his long walk to freedom.”

“It made me remember my own long walk to financial freedom. I can see that the youth of Africa are beginning to see me in that mode and that has motivated me to walk and work more in the footsteps of Mandela.”

“I can say that this is one of the most passionate and personally inspiring awards I have got because that name (Mandela) is attached to it.”