Vice President Kashim Shettima, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, and Governors Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Bassey Edet Otu (Cross River), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Bala Mohammed, along with Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, have been nominated for the inaugural Nigeria’s Pride Awards.
This event is organized by African Leadership Scorecard Magazine in collaboration with The Beauties of Nigeria TV.
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Other notable nominees include the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi; retired Justices Mariam Aloma Muktar and Mary Odili; Air Peace CEO Barrister Allen Onyema; Brittainia-U CEO Mrs. Uju Ihejrika; Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chief Mike Ozekhome; African Director of IAWPA, Ambassador John Metchie; Zenith Bank MD/CEO Adaora Umeoji; House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Minority Whip Hon. Ali Isa; Executive Secretary of PTAD Dr. Chioma Ejikeme; Arise TV CEO Nduka Obiagbena; Executive Secretary of NHRC Dr. Tony Ojukwu, and former Head of Civil Service of the Federation Dr. Yemi Esan.
Agencies nominated include the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Jaiz Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The Awards Organising Committee had invited the public to nominate deserving leaders and agencies by August 24, 2024. In a statement released on August 30, the Committee announced that 52 individuals and 24 agencies were nominated, and after a thorough review, 25 personalities and eight institutions were selected for the awards.
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The statement was signed by Awards Facilitator Bonaventure Phillips Melah, Publisher/CEO of African Leadership Scorecard Magazine/The Beauties of Nigeria TV, along with the Committee Chairman Ahaziah Suleiman (Former Executive Director, Voice of Nigeria) and Secretary Hajia Medina Dauda-Nadabo (Bureau Coordinator/Programmes Officer, Voice of America). Other committee members include Victorson Agbenson (Deputy Director of News, FRCN), Omotola Oleyede, Chudi Brass, and Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed (Ex-Zonal Manager, NAN Kaduna/Katsina/Kano Zone).
The Committee emphasized the need to celebrate exceptional leaders and institutions who positively impact the lives of Nigerians, in hopes of encouraging them to continue their good work and inspiring others to step up.
The award categories include: Vice President Kashim Shettima as “Quintessential Vice President”; FCT Minister Nyesom Wike as “Overall Best Nigerian Minister”; Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa as “Shield of the Nation”; Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as “Best Governor on Empowerment”; Dr. Dauda Lawal as “Best Governor on Urban Renewal”; Sen. Bassey Edet Otu as “Best Governor on Agric/Food Security”; Sen. Ademola Adeleke as “Best Governor on Infrastructure”; Prof. Babagana Zulum as “Most People-Oriented Governor”; Senator Bala Mohammed as “Best Governor on Urban Transformation”; Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko as “Protector of the Environment”; Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala as “Protector of Nigeria’s Territories”; Ooni of Ife as “Exemplary Custodian of African Values”; retired Justice Mariam Aloma Muktar as “Mother of Justice in Nigeria”; Justice Mary Odili as “Pillar of Truth and Justice”; Mrs. Uju Ihejrika as “Most Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year”; Chief Mike Ozekhome as “Most Fearless Advocate”; Ambassador John Metchie as “Prince of Peace and Reconciliation”; Mrs. Adaora Umeoji as “Light of the Girl-Child”; Hon. Benjamin Kalu as “Champion of Equity”; Hon. Ali Isa as “Best Grassroots Empowerment Lawmaker”; Dr. Chioma Ejikeme as “Pensioners’ Angel”; Chief Nduka Obiagbena as “Nigeria’s Media Pathfinder”; Dr. Tony Ojukwu as “Champion of Human Rights”; and Dr. Yemi Esan as “Best Head of Civil Service Award.”
Agency awards include NCC as “Most Innovative Agency”; Jaiz Bank as “Most People-Oriented Bank”; NSITF as “Most Employee-Friendly Agency”; TETFUND as “Most Educational Institution of the Year”; UBEC as “Most Inclusive Educational Institution”; REA as “Best Rural Connectivity Agency”; PTAD as “Best Reforms/ICT Compliance Agency”; and NHRC as “Most Committed Agency of the Year.”
