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VP Shettima, Gov Dauda Lawal, Soludo, CDS Musa, Wike, Zulum, Adeleke, Bala Mohammed, Allen Onyema, Ned Nwoko, Ooni, others for ‘Nigeria’s Pride Awards’
Vice President Kashim Shettima; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Governors Chukwuma Soludo, Dauda Lawal, Bassey Edet Otu, Ademola Adeleke, Babagana Zulum and Bala Mohammed of Anambra, Zamfara, Cross River, Osun, Borno and Bauchi states, respectively, as well as Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, have been nominated by Nigerians for the maiden edition of Nigeria’s Pride Awards, being organised by African Leadership Scorecard Magazine in collaboration with The Beauties of Nigeria TV.
Other personalities and agencies nominated for the awards 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; the CEO of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema; CEO of Brittainia-U, Mrs Uju Ihejrika; Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome; Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, African Director, IAWPA, Amb. John Metchie; MD/CEO Zenith Bank, Adaora Umeoji; House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Hon. 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 HOCSF Dr. Yemi Esan
Agencies that were nominated for the awards are the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Jaiz Bank, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Funds, NSITF, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC and Rural Electrification Agency, REA.
It would be recalled that the Awards Organising Committee had on August 2, 2024, published an advertorial requesting the public to nominate leaders and agencies of their choices that they consider qualified for the various categories. The publication gave August 24 as deadline for the nominations.
In a statement released Friday, August 30, 2024, the Committee stared that a total of 52 persons and 24 agencies were nominated for the awards, noting that after due consideration of number of votes for each nominee, 25 personalities and eight (8) institutions were approved for the awards.
The statement was signed by the Awards Facilitator, Bonaventure Phillips Melah who is also the Publisher/CEO African Leadership Scorecard Magazine/The Beauties of Nigeria TV, the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee, Ahaziah Suleiman (Former Executive Director, Voice of Nigeria) and Hajia Medina Dauda-Nadabo, (Bureau Coordinator/Prpgrammes Officer, Voice of America, VOA) respectively.
Other members of the Committee are Victorson Agbenson (Deputy Director News, FRCN). Omotola Oleyede, Chudi Brass and Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed (Ex-Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Kaduna/Katsina/Kano Zone).
The Committee stated that although it is true that Nigeria is a country in dire need of quality leadership and visionary leaders, there are some who are doing very well in the areas of their individual calls by deploying their intellectual capabilities, education and their experiences; to impact positively, the lives of the people.
“These exceptional leaders and institutions should be celebrated, as a way of encouraging them to do more while spurring others to wake up,” the statement said.
See List of Nominees and Categories
1. Vice President Kashim Shettima- Quintessential Vice President
2. FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike- Overall Best Nigerian Minister
3. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa- Shield of the Nation
4. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo- Best Governor on Empowerment
5. Dr. Dauda Lawal- Best Governor on Urban Renewal
6. Sen. Bassey Edet Otu- Best Governor on Agric/Food Security
7, Sen. Ademola Adeleke- Best Governor Infrastructure
8. Prof. Babagana Zulum- Most People-Oriented Governor
9. Senator Bala Mohammed- Best Governor on Urban Transformation
10. Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko- Protector of the Environment.
11. Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala- Protector of Nigeria’s Territories.
12. Ooni of Ife- Exemplary Custodian of African Values
13. Retired Justice Mariam Aloma Muktar- Mother of Justice in Nigeria
14. Justice Mary Odili- Pillar of Truth and Justice
15. Mrs Uju Ihejrika- Most Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year
16. Chief Mike Ozekhome- Most Fearless Advocate
17. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara – Best People- Oriented lawmaker of the year.
18. Amb. John Metchie- Prince of Peace and Reconciliation
19. Mrs. Adaora Umeoji-Light of the Girl-Child
20. Hon. Benjamin Kalu- Champion of Equity
21. Hon. Ali Isa- Best Grassroots Empowerment Lawmaker
22. Dr. Chioma Ejikeme- Pensioners’ Angel
23. Chief Nduka Obiagbena- Nigeria’s Media Pathfinder
24. Dr. Tony Ojukwu- Champion of Human Rights
25. Dr. Yemi Esan- Best Head of Civil Service Award
26. Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC- Most Innovative Agency
27. Jaiz Bank- Most People-Oriented Bank
28. Social Insurance Trust Funds, NSITF- Most Employee-Friendly Agency
29. Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND- Most Educational Institution of the Year.
30. Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC- Most Inclusive Educational Institution.
31. Rural Electrification Agency, REA- Best Rural Connectivity Agency
32. PTAD- Best Reforms/ICT Compliance Agency
33. NHRC- Most Committed Agency of the Year.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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