Adesina, Anyim, Sanwo-Olu, others for Zik Leadership Award Nov 7

Nnachi, E.U, Abakaliki

The President of the African Development Bank and former Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria; Dr Akinwunmi Adesina; a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will on Sunday, November 7, 2021 receive the 2020 Zik Prize for Leadership and Public Service.

Other winners of the 2020 Zik Award, billed to take place at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos, are the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule; and a former First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio.

Also, the Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari; the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh; the Managing Director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Uche Orji; and the Director of FBN Holdings Plc, Urum Eke emerged winners in public service and professional leadership award categories.

The Chairman, Selection Committee, Board of Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre, Prof. Pat Utomi, in a statement, said the Zik Prize had become Africa’s most respected award schemes, since 1995.

According to Utomi, “I am delighted to inform you that since 1995 when the Zik Prize in Leadership Award scheme started, it has held consistently annually and has now evolved to become one of Africa’s most respected award schemes. We must give credit to board members over these years that have shown uncommon zeal and commitment to building and encouraging true leadership across the face of the continent.

“These leadership values should be nurtured in Nigeria and also across the continent.

“A cursory look across our continent shows that leadership remains a critical challenge in our body polity. We fully understand this and thus remain committed to this noble venture of encouraging and nurturing the most beneficial leadership that can be found on the continent as an embodiment of the leadership values of the Great Zik of Africa in whose honour this award was instituted.

“Most people agree that many people in power today in Nigeria should not even be anywhere near the arena of power. They either lack the character or the competence as well as the courage that true leadership entails.”

The 2020 award, is the 26th edition of the Zik Prize for Leadership.