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Brittainia-U, Dangote Group, PTAD, Air Peace, NCC, NHRC, UBEC, TETfund, NSITF, REA, Zenith bank, Jaiz Bank, others to bag Nigeria’s Pride Awards
A few federal agencies and other corporate institutions in the private sector have been nominated for Nigeria’s Pride Awards being organized by African Leadership Scorecard Magazine and The Beauties of Nigeria TV. The awards is scheduled to take place in Abuja, November 19, 2024.
They include, Brittainia-U Group of companies and its Chairman/CEO, Mrs. Uju Catherine Ifejika, OFR; Dangote and Chairman/CEO of the conglomerate, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; GCON; Air Peace and its CEO- Barrister Allen Onyema; Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and the Executive Secretary/CEO of the agency, Dr. Mrs. Chioma Ejikeme; Jaiz Bank; National Communications Commission, NCC; National Human Rights Commission NHRC; Rural Electrification Agency, REA; Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, MD/CEO of Zenith Bank; TETFund; Universal Basic Education Commission-UBEC and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund- NSITF.
Also to be honoured at the event are some Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their service to the country and to humanity such as the Chief of Defence Staff-CDS, General Christopher Musa; Governors Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra; Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; Ademola Adeleke of Osun; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River and Babagana Zulum of Borno as well as two serving ministers- Nyesom Wike of FCT and Tijani Bosun of Communications, Digital Economy and Innovations.
Senators Ned Nwoko and Aliyu Wamakko; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; MD/CEO of Zenith Bank, Barrister Dame Adaora Umeoji; Jaiz Bank; Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara; Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, Hon. Ali Isa, JP; Human Rights Lawyer, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN; immediate past Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, award-winning singer Davido; Nollywood actress, Ruth Kadiri; Kano Airport cleaner, Auwal Dankode and hotel worker, Ngozi Kekwaru.
In a statement Friday, signed on behalf of the Organising Committee, Facilitator of the awards, Bonaventure Phillips Melah, who is also the Publisher/CEO of African Leadership Scorecard Magazine/Founder of the Beauties of Nigeria TV, said although Nigeria is a country in need of quality leadership, the few among us, who are doing well need to be celebrated as a way of encouraging them to do more while motivating others to wake up.
He said the successful takeoff of the Dangote Refinery, recoginsed as the largest single-train refinery in the world with the capacity of 650,000 barrels per day which also produces diesel, aviation fuel and other products, is a landmark achievement unprecedented in history; and therefore, should be celebrated by every Nigerian, and in deed, all Africans, irrespective of their country of origin, ethnic, political and religious leanings.
Bonaventure Melah said that NAHCO and Hotel workers were nominated to be honoured for finding $10,000 and $70,000, respectively, at their work places and returned the money to the owners, describing them as true representatives of Nigeria.
The statement praised multiple award-winning singer David Adeleke, also known as Davido, for uplifting hundreds of upcoming musicians and other artists, the same with Ruth Kadiri.
Apart from Bonaventure Melah, other members of the Nigeria’s Pride Awards Organising Committee are Mr. Ahaziah Suleiman (Former Executive Director, Voice of Nigeria), Chairman; Hajia Medina Dauda-Nadabo, (Bureau Coordinator/Prpgrammes Officer, Voice of America, VOA), Secretary; Victorson Agbenson (Deputy Director News, FRCN), Omotola Oleyede, Chudi Brass a Media Expert and Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed (Ex-Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Kaduna/Katsina/Kano Zone).
See Full List of Nominees and Categories
1. Alhaji Aliko Dangote/Dangote Group- Africa’s Brightest Shining Star of the Century.’
2. Dangote Group- ‘Chief Cornerstone of Businesses in Africa.”
3. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo- Best Governor on Empowerment
4. Dr. Dauda Lawal- Best Governor on Urban Renewal
5. Prof. Babagana Zulum- Most People-Oriented Governor
6. Senator Bala Mohammed- Best Governor on Urban Transformation
7. Sen. Bassey Edet Otu- Best Governor on Agric/Food Security
8. Sen. Ademola Adeleke- Best Governor Infrastructure
9. FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike- Overall Best Nigerian Minister.
10. Communications Minister, Bosun Tijani- Outstanding Minister of the Year
11. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa- Shield of the Nation
12. Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko- Protector of the Environment.
13. Senator Aliyu Wamakko- Champion of Poverty Eradication.
14. Ooni of Ife- Exemplary Custodian of African Values
15. Retired Justice Mariam Aloma Muktar- Mother of Justice in Nigeria
16. Justice Mary Odili- Pillar of Truth and Justice
17. Mrs. Uju Catherine Ifejika- Most Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year
18. Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN- Most Fearless Advocate
19. Amb. John Metchie- Prince of Peace and Reconciliation
20. Mrs. Adaora Umeoji-Light of the Girl-Child
21. Hon. Benjamin Kalu- Champion of Equity
22. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara
23. Hon. Ali Isa JP- Grassroots Empowerment Lawmaker
24. Dr. Chioma Ejikeme- Pensioners’ Angel
25. Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai- Exemplary Youth Politician of the Year
26. Chief Nduka Obiagbena- Nigeria’s Media Pathfinder
27. Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN- Champion of Human Rights
28. Dr. Yemi Esan- Excellent Service to the Nation
29. Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC- Most Innovative Agency
30. Jaiz Bank- Most People-Oriented Bank
31. Social Insurance Trust Funds, NSITF- Employee Protector-In-Chief
32. Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund- Most Impressive Institutional Funding Agency of the Year
33. Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC- Most Compliant Agency on International Best Practices
34. Rural Electrification Agency, REA- Most Improved Service Delivery Agency
35. PTAD- Best Reforms/ICT Compliant Agency
36. NHRC- Most Committed Agency of the Year.
37. David Adeleke (Davido)- Outstanding Humanity Entertainment Artist of the Year.
38. Ruth Kadiri- Inspirational Actress of the Year
39. Auwal Dankode- Hope of
the Future Award- Male
40. Ngozi Kekwara- Hope of the Future Award (Female).
A man, his wife and two children have been killed in one attack in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The victims, identified as Ifeanyi Okeke and his family members, were shot dead in their home in the shocking incident.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen invaded the Okeke’s residence, shooting and killing Ifeanyi, his wife, and two of their children.
The motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained, leaving many questions unanswered and sparking widespread fear and anxiety in the community.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the incident and launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings.
“We are investigating the incident and working to apprehend the perpetrators,” said the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for increased security measures to protect lives and property in the state.
“This is a heinous crime, and we must work together to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” a community leader noted.
The community is in shock and mourning, with many residents paying tribute to the victims and expressing sympathy for their loved ones.
“We are shocked and saddened by this incident. We demand increased security measures to protect our lives and property,” said another resident.
Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the state, declaring that it is not paying lip service to the security of its people.
Addressing the media in Lokoja on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the administration of Governor Ahmed Ododo has taken concrete steps to deal decisively with insecurity, stressing that the state is not under siege and will not be.
Fanwo acknowledged security concerns in parts of Yagba land, particularly in Yagba West, but assured citizens that the situation is being carefully and silently managed to avoid escalation.
“We are managing the fine line between urgency and the need to tread softly in order not to compound the situation. Government is on top of the matter, and our interventions are guided, targeted, and strategic,” he said.
Fanwo also addressed concerns over alleged threats to some churches in Yagba East, noting that Governor Ododo has ordered thorough investigations to verify the claims.
“Security has not broken down in any part of Kogi and will not break down. We have reached an advanced stage of collaboration with national security structures to neutralise every threat to peace and stability in our state,” he emphasised.
The Commissioner commended local security structures such as the Okun hunters and other grassroots security outfits for their vital role in maintaining peace and order.
“These community-based efforts are critical to our overall strategy, and His Excellency has given the State Security Adviser a marching order to deepen community push-back mechanisms against insecurity,” Fanwo revealed.
He explained that government intelligence has pinpointed the location of certain criminal elements, but cautioned that operational plans are being meticulously executed to avoid collateral damage.
“These criminals are hiding behind innocent Nigerians, many of whom have been kidnapped from Kogi and other states. Our mission is to secure our people without endangering the lives of innocent victims,” he said.
The legal team of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, say they are ready with factil evidence to defend her in court.
The team received a formal summons in the case filed against her by the Federal Government at the Federal Capital Territory High Court last week.
On Friday, May 16, 2025, the Federal Government filed the suit, marked CR/297/25, over alleged defamatory remarks made during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 3, 2025.
The government accused the senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, citing Section 391 of the Penal Code, cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990.
Among the witnesses listed to testify during the trial were Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Others include Asuquo Ekpenyong, a senator; Sandra Duru; Maya Iliya, investigating police officers; and Abdulhafiz Garba, investigating police officers.
However, in a statement issued Friday night by Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN) on behalf of the legal team, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers confirmed receipt of the formal summons and pledged to prepare all “factual and statutory defences” available to the lawmaker during trial.
“At about 2:30pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, within the premises of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, we received the information filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, containing three counts alleging that our client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, made imputations she had reason to believe would harm the reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate,” the statement read.
“We received the said information on her behalf through a letter of authority duly issued and filed in the court’s registry.
“The legal team will fully prepare and present all factual and statutory defences available to our client during the trial.”
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