By Chioma Vivian James
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), OFR, has been honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Humanitarian Ambassador Award 2026 and officially named Patron of the Queen Blessing Foundation (QBF) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to national service, leadership, and humanitarian development.
The honour was formally conferred during a courtesy visit to the Minister at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja by the President and Founder of the Queen Blessing Foundation, Amb. Dr. Queen Blessing Ebigieson, who led a delegation of the Foundation’s officials and associates.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Foundation to present General Musa with the award plaque and citation, which were originally scheduled to be presented during the Foundation’s Annual Widows Support Programme held on February 14, 2026, at the Palace of the Emir of Lafia in Nasarawa State. The Minister was unable to attend the event due to pressing official engagements.
Speaking during the presentation, Amb. Dr. Ebigieson said the award was in recognition of General Musa’s distinguished military career, exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to national security, and enduring support for humanitarian causes.
She noted that the Foundation’s decision to appoint the Defence Minister as its Patron reflects its confidence in his leadership, integrity, and dedication to service.
According to her, the Queen Blessing Foundation has sustained humanitarian interventions for the past eighteen years, providing support to widows, vulnerable families, and underserved communities across Nigeria. She expressed optimism that General Musa’s experience, mentorship, and strategic guidance would further strengthen the Foundation’s programmes and expand its impact nationwide.
Receiving the award, General Musa expressed profound appreciation to the Foundation for the recognition, describing the Lifetime Achievement Humanitarian Ambassador Award as a great honour that he would cherish for many years.
He commended the Queen Blessing Foundation for nearly two decades of consistent humanitarian service, particularly its interventions aimed at improving the welfare of widows and vulnerable groups. He encouraged the organisation to remain steadfast in its mission of uplifting lives and fostering hope among disadvantaged communities.
The courtesy visit also served as a platform for discussions on national development beyond security matters. In her capacity as National President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria and Chairman of the Federation of Registered Nollywood Guilds and Associations, Amb. Dr. Ebigieson highlighted the immense contributions of Nigeria’s creative industry, especially Nollywood, to economic growth, cultural diplomacy, and the promotion of Nigeria’s image globally.
Responding, the Defence Minister praised the Nigerian film industry for projecting the country’s rich culture and creativity to the world, acknowledging its role in strengthening national identity and creating opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
As a mark of appreciation and mutual respect, General Musa presented a commemorative plaque to Amb. Dr. Ebigieson, symbolising the cordial relationship between the Ministry of Defence and the humanitarian organisation.
The Foundation described the visit as a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between humanitarian organisations and national institutions. It expressed confidence that General Musa’s acceptance of the role of Patron would further inspire its mission of compassion, empowerment, and community development.
Members of the delegation includes the Mrs. Imabong Abia, Mr. Desmond Utomwen, and Amb. Audrey Adzuayi, who accompanied the Foundation’s President during the high-level engagement.
The recognition of General Musa by the Queen Blessing Foundation underscores the growing importance of partnerships between public institutions and humanitarian organisations in advancing national development, social welfare, and community empowerment across Nigeria.
