Yale University honours Anjelique Kidjo and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala amongst others

Pictured are (standing, from left) Jeffrey Friedman, Angelique Kidjo, Peter G. Schultz, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dean Kamen, (seated, from left) Elon Musk, Janet Yellen, President Peter Salovey, Larry Kramer, and Gayatri Spivak. (Photo by Joy Bush)

President of Yale University Peter Salovey on Monday May 18th presented honorary degree to nine individuals amongst who are Africans, Nigeria's Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Beninese born musician Angelique Kidjo. They were awarded for having achieved distinction in their respective fields at the 2015 Commencement ceremony held on Old Campus.

According to YaleNews, their citations were stated as follows;

"Angélique Kidjo Doctor of Music
Through songs and singing, with artistry and advocacy, you have become known as one of the world’s great voices for Africa. In your music, you embrace a dazzling spectrum of genres, from traditional West African rhythms to jazz, funk, rumba, and salsa. You sing from the soul and invoke the conscience. You are a cultural and humanitarian leader. With passion, warmth, and generosity, you work tirelessly for the empowerment and education of African women and girls, and serve as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. You are a friend of Yale, and we are delighted to grant you this degree of Doctor of Music."

"Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Doctor of Humane Letters
You are a citizen of your country, your continent, and the world. Shaped by challenging experiences during your childhood in Nigeria, you have made social and economic reform your mission. As Nigeria’s coordinating minister of economic development and minister of finance, you have tackled corruption, created a vision and path to long-term economic stability, and worked to build a culture of transparency. At the World Bank, you made food security a priority and provided policy advice and capital for the world’s poorest countries. With wisdom, a fierce dedication to doing what is right, and unflagging energy, you have transformed the economic landscape of your nation. We are proud to name you Doctor of Humane Letters."

Culled fromYaleNews