Yakani dedicates award to South Sudanese

JUBA – A prominent South Sudan activist has dedicated a prestigious award he won on Thursday from a continental body to all South Sudanese, especially people with disabilities as well as those suffering from floods.

Edmund Yakani who is the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) was named one of other African activists who have won the Africa’s Outstanding Professionals Award, according to a letter addressed to Yakani and extended to Sudans Post.

In a recorded audio statement extended to Sudans Post, Yakani said he had won the award with collective efforts from South Sudanese and said he will dedicate the award to the citizens of South Sudan and those with disabilities in particular.

“I would like to take South Sudanese that I didn’t get that award of myself as Edmund [Yakani], I got this because of collective efforts all staff of CEPO and other partners that we have been working with and various communities of South Sudan in the ten states where we have our field offices where we are working with them,” he said.

“So, I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate this award … to every South Sudanese and I will use this award to open a window for other South Sudanese to receive similar award and I also dedicate this award to the person with disabilities in the country because I have been for quite long demanding, calling and advocating to make sure that we have stood out at our various capacities to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities which should be protected and promoted in our country,” he added.

The prominent activist who has previously won Civil Rights Defender of the year award for his activism for human rights thanked other partners as well as those working under him in the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization.

“I will also take this opportunity to my colleagues, the staff of CEPO right from the guard, cleaner up to the program manager, project officers, and state coordinators,” Yakani said.

“I would like to state thanks and I would and I dedicate this award to all South Sudanese who are facing the challenges of floods they are facing now,” he added.