Ikorodu North LCDA Chairman, Mayor Ameen Olawale Ibrahim Apanisile, to receive the Prestigious Second Global Climate Change Champion Award at COP 31 in Turkey

— Award follows rigorous nationwide screening; only exceptional leaders qualify

From the International Headquarters of Nurses Across the Borders, United Kingdom

Date: October 19, 2026

The international community is set to witness another historic moment in grassroots governance and climate advocacy, as Mayor Ameen Olawale Ibrahim Apanisile, Executive Chairman of Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, has been selected as the recipient of the highly coveted Second Global Climate Change Champion Award.

The award will be formally presented to Mayor Apanisile at the forthcoming 31st Conference of the Parties (COP 31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), holding in Turkey on November 16, 2026.

The honour is conferred by Nurses Across the Borders, an international humanitarian and health-focused non-governmental organisation headquartered in the United Kingdom, renowned for its advocacy on climate health, community resilience and sustainable development.

A RIGOROUS AND TRANSPARENT SELECTION PROCESS
In a statement issued from the organisation’s International Headquarters in the United Kingdom, Pastor Peters Omoragbon, Executive President of Nurses Across the Borders, emphasised that the award is not bestowed lightly.

“The Global Climate Change Champion Award is not an award for just anybody,” Pastor Omoragbon stated. “It is the product of a rigorous, multi-layered screening process conducted nationwide across Nigeria. A candidate must demonstrate verifiable evidence of environmental stewardship, community impact, policy innovation and a clear commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly as they relate to climate action and public health.”

He further clarified that the award, which is presented once every four years, is reserved for leaders whose work at the grassroots level produces measurable and transformative change.

“The award cycle is deliberately designed to be periodic—every four years—to ensure that it retains its prestige and that recipients are individuals whose legacies are enduring, not ephemeral. It is a distinction that places the recipient in a league of their own,” he added.

A PRECEDENT OF EXCELLENCE: THE FIRST RECIPIENT
The first recipient of this distinguished award was His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State, who received the inaugural honour at COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The conferment of the award on a state governor at COP 28 set a high benchmark for the honour. By selecting Mayor Apanisile as the second recipient, Nurses Across the Borders has again demonstrated its commitment to recognising leadership at all levels of governance—from the state house to the local council secretariat.

“The fact that the first recipient was a sitting governor and the second is a sitting Local Council Development Area Chairman speaks volumes,” Pastor Omoragbon noted. “It shows that climate leadership is not the exclusive preserve of the federal or state governments. Transformative action can—and must—happen at the grassroots. Mayor Apanisile has proven that an LCDA Chairman can be a global climate champion.”

WHY MAYOR APANISILE?
Mayor Apanisile’s selection is rooted in his visionary leadership and his administration’s “ New Deal ” agenda, which prioritises environmental sustainability, infrastructure development, healthcare, education and economic empowerment.

A distinguished son of Ikorodu, Mayor Apanisile holds a Higher National Diploma in Town and Regional Planning from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, a B.Sc. in Building Survey and Property Management from the University of Bolton, UK, and an MBA in Finance from LAUTECH. His professional background spans urban planning, property development and financial administration—expertise that he has brought to bear on governance in Ikorodu North.

His administration’s focus on environmental management, green infrastructure and community resilience aligns with the global climate agenda. Under his leadership, Ikorodu North LCDA has begun implementing programmes aimed at reducing environmental degradation, promoting sustainable waste management and engaging youth and women in climate-smart initiatives.

Mayor Apanisile’s eight-year tenure as Vice Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA provided him with a deep understanding of the community’s challenges and aspirations, preparing him for the transformative work he is now undertaking as Executive Chairman.

A CHALLENGE TO OTHERS AND A CALL TO ACTION
The announcement of Mayor Apanisile’s award is expected to resonate across Nigeria’s local government system, serving as both an inspiration and a challenge to other Council Chairmen.

“This award should be a wake-up call to every Local Government and LCDA Chairman in Nigeria ,” Pastor Omoragbon declared. “Climate change is not an abstract concept. It is affecting our communities today—flooding, erosion, desertification and health crises. Any chairman who is not actively addressing these issues in his or her domain is failing the people.”

He continued: “Mayor Apanisile has shown that it is possible to lead with vision and purpose, even at the local level. His recognition on the global stage at COP 31 should make other chairmen ask themselves: What am I doing? What legacy am I building? Will my community be proud of me in four years’ time?”

The Executive President urged other local government leaders to emulate Mayor Apanisile’s commitment to sustainable development and to see the award not merely as a personal honour for one man, but as a challenge to raise the bar of governance across the board.

ABOUT NURSES ACROSS THE BORDERS
Nurses Across the Borders is an international non-governmental organisation and the FIRST NGO from Nigeria to be granted OBSERVER STATUS by the UNFCCC, and an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations-ECOSOC dedicated to improving health outcomes, promoting community resilience and advocating for policies that address the intersection of climate change and public health. The organisation works across Africa, Europe and beyond, partnering with governments, community leaders and international bodies to build a healthier, more sustainable world. Its Global Climate Change Champion Award is one of its flagship recognition programmes, celebrating leaders who exemplify excellence in climate action and community development.

ABOUT MAYOR AMEEN OLAWALE IBRAHIM APANISILE
Mayor Ameen Olawale Ibrahim Apanisile is the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, Nigeria. A proud son of Ikorodu, he hails from the prominent Olokunola and Apanisile (Odusoga Royal Family) families. He is a seasoned administrator, planner and finance expert with a clear vision for a prosperous, resilient and sustainable Ikorodu North. His administration’s “New Deal” agenda focuses on infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, economic development, environmental sustainability, security and effective service delivery. His selection as the Second Global Climate Change Champion places him among the most distinguished local government leaders in Africa.

EVENT DETAILS
Award : Second Global Climate Change Champion Award
Recipient : Mayor Ameen Olawale Ibrahim Apanisile, Executive Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA
Awarding Organisation: Nurses Across the Borders
Venue : COP 31, Turkey
Date: November 16, 2026
Frequency : Every Four (4) Years
First Recipient : H.E. Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State (COP 28, Dubai)

Signed :

Pastor Peters Omoragbon
Executive President
Nurses Across the Borders
International Headquarters, United Kingdom