Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy of Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, were in their elements last night as they joined a select list of global celebs at the a gala organised by TIME magazine to honour those it last week listed as the 100 Most Influential People in the World. The annual event took place at Time Warner Center’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, overlooking Central Park.

Okonjo-Iweala, who was accompanied by her husband, Dr. Ikemba Iweala, shared Table 9 with TIME Managing Editor Nancy Gibbs and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). News Express could not immediately confirm the table which Dangote, who was accompanied by daughter Halima, shared.

Now in its 11th year, the TIME list recognises the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals. As TIME has described the list in the past, “They’re scientists, they’re thinkers, they’re philosophers, they’re leaders, they’re icons, they’re artists, they’re visionaries. People who are using their ideas, their visions, their actions to transform the world and have an effect on a multitude of people.”

Dangote was classified in the Titans category which boasts of eminent world personalities like Hillary Clinton, former USA Secretary of State, Jeff Bezoz, Tony Fadell and Janet Yellen, among others.

Okonjo-Iweala was named in the “Leaders” category, which features Presidents and Prime Ministers such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Shinzo Abe of Japan, Xi Jinping of China, President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Nerandra Modi of India and Iran’s Hassan Rouhani.

Described as the “Guardian of Nigeria’s Public Funds”, the Minister whose profile was written by world acclaimed musician Bono was hailed for taking up “one of the toughest jobs on the planet.”

In her response, Okonjo-Iweala stated: “I am delighted and honoured to be included in this august list. I could not be happier that someone of Bono’s distinction, a lover of Africa wrote about me.

“I am grateful to God that two Nigerians were recognised this year. It is wonderful for Nigeria. I see that other Africans were also recognised. So, I think it is a measure of where our continent is heading despite all our challenges.”

•Photo shows, L-R: Halima Dangote; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; and her husband, Dr. Ikemba Iweala, during the TIME 100 Gala in New York where Okonjo-Iweala and Dangote were honoured after being named to the list of the Most Influential People in the World.

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