The award is an honor to Somali women, winner of African Woman of the Year Award, Dayib says

Fadumo Dayib, the first female Somali presidential candidate was feted this past week with the African Woman of the Year Award for what the awarding institution described as having distinguished herself in contribution towards the growth and development of Africa.

Dayib said the award was a recognition of Somalia and particularly the women of Somalia for their tireless contribution in building the country despite odds occasioned by years of civil war and destruction.

“I received the award not as an individual but on behalf of Somalia and particularly Somali women and also as a pan Africanist,” Dayib told Goobjoog News.

Dayib said the award also serves to bring world attention to Somalia and challenges the long held view of the country as failed and ridden with war. “Such an award challenges the norm; it signals change in Somalia and brings us closer to the rest of Africa,” she observed.

Asked if she expected to win the award, Dayib said  it was a surprise and a show of honour given the many other women who have done exemplary work in the continent. “I was humbled to be given such a coveted award particularly because I was competing with other women who have been doing remarkable work in various stations, some I admire and respect,” she quipped.

Social media users congratulated her for winning the award.

The African Achievers Award organisers note in their website their focus is to motivate all African leaders including the future leaders through recognizing the persons and organisations that have contributed remarkably to the development of Africa.

“Through these methods we hope to build bridges across the gaps that exist in our society today, which has fueled the problem of inequality and underdevelopment in our societies,” they note.

Dayib announced her bid in 2014 for presidency in Somalia for the 2016 polls riding on integrity in governance, fight against graft and clannism which have over the years defined politics in Somalia.

The awards ceremony was held in Abuja Nigeria and its the sixth since its inception in 2011.