NI&I Service Award 2015

The seventh Network Information and Infrastructure Service Award has been awarded to Francis Frederick Tusubira for his work in promoting Internet development in Africa.

Boubakar Barry (AfREN) presented the Award on the occasion.  Tusubira unfortunately had to leave one day prior to the ceremony  but he shared a video presentation.

Dr. Nii Quaynor, conveyor of AfNOG and initiator of the Award praised Mr.Tusubira who is from the Research and Networking fraternity for his commitment to the development of the Internet in Africa.

Dr Tusubira  in his remote intervention expressed his gratitude for this recognition '' I am happy to accept this recognition not for myself but on behalf of all Africans who have devoted their lives and time to ensure that we can achieve the African renaissance. It has become a lifetime struggle. ” said Dr Tusubira. Dr Tusubira quoted Mr Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi as his inspiration and paid tribute to the resilience of Africans which he has witnessed over the past 35 years. 

Besides the main NI&I Award, a Young professional Award was also given to Mukom Akong Tamon for his contribution to the Internet infrastructure development. 
“The Award celebrates excellence through Mukom’s work and commitment in IPv6 Training in the African region, said Anne Rachel Inne former COO of AFRINIC and recipient of the NI&I Service Award in 2010.

Watch the youtube video of Dr Tusubira here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHOpmCobBHI

Mr Tamon works at AFRINIC and in his speech expressed his deep gratitude towards the community for recognising his contribution in the development of the Internet quoting artist Khalil Gibran with his famous inspiring words: When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music.