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Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Dangote, Wike, Soludo, Dauda Lawal, Allen Onyema, others to receive Nigeria’s Pride Award
Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote and his conglomerate, Dangote Group, have been nominated for Nigeria’s Pride Awards being organized by African Leadership Scorecard Magazine, in collaboration with THE BEAUTIES OF NIGERIA TV, scheduled for November 19, in Abuja.
The former president is to be honured with the ‘Outstanding Global Peace and Reconciliation Icon of the Decade’ while Dangote, a business mogul who is also the richest black man on earth is to receive ‘Africa’s Brightest Shining Star of the Century’ award with the Dangote Group also to be crowned as the ‘Chief Cornerstone of Businesses in Africa.”
Also to be honoured are six state governors- Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra; Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno; Dr. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; Senator Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Senator Ademola Adeleke of Osun and Senator Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River.
Two serving Ministers Barrister Nyesom Wike of FCT and Dr. Tijani Bosun, Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy are to be honoured alongside Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; senators Aliyu Wamakko and Ned Nwoko; Deputy House of Reps Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, CEO of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, Ooni of Ife, Oba Dr. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; MD/CEO of Zenith Bank, Barrister Dame Adaora Umeoji; Jaiz Bank, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, CEO of PTAD, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara; Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, CEO of NHRC; Human Rights Lawyer, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, Hon. Ali Isa; CEO of Brittainia-U Group, Mrs. Catherine Uju Ifejika, former Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan; award-winning singer Davido and Nollywood actress, Ruth Kadiri.
Other nominees are Kano Airport cleaner, Auwal Dankode and hotel worker, Ngozi Kekwaru, among other personalities, some federal agencies and corporate organisations.
In a statement Thursday, 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.
According to the statement, since Dr. Goodluck Jonathan left office as the 14th President of Nigeria, he has been involved in citizen’s diplomacy, waging peace across Africa and the world, which has earned him recognition as Africa’s fore-most statesman who is seen, not only as an icon of peace and reconciliation but also an inspiration to the present and future generations, while at the same time, standing in the gap for Nigeria and helping to positively impact the country’s global perspective.
On Dangote, the Award Organising Committee 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 the history o Africa.
Bonaventure Melah said the 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 and described them as the real faces of the Nigeria and also 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.
Other members of the 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. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan- Outstanding Global Peace and Reconciliation Icon of the Decade
2. Alhaji Aliko Dangote/Dangote Group- Africa’s Brightest Shining Star of the Century.’
3. Dangote Group- ‘Chief Cornerstone of Businesses in Africa.”
4. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo- Best Governor on Empowerment
5. Dr. Dauda Lawal- Best Governor on Urban Renewal
6. Prof. Babagana Zulum- Most People-Oriented Governor
7. Senator Bala Mohammed- Best Governor on Urban Transformation
8. Sen. Bassey Edet Otu- Best Governor on Agric/Food Security
9. Sen. Ademola Adeleke- Best Governor Infrastructure
10. FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike- Overall Best Nigerian Minister.
11. Communications Minister, Bosun Tijani- Outstanding Minister of the Year
12. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa- Shield of the Nation
13. Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko- Protector of the Environment.
14. Senator Aliyu Wamakko- Champion of Poverty Eradication.
15. Ooni of Ife- Exemplary Custodian of African Values
16. Retired Justice Mariam Aloma Muktar- Mother of Justice in Nigeria
17. Justice Mary Odili- Pillar of Truth and Justice
18. Mrs. Uju Ihejrika- Most Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year
19. Chief Mike Ozekhome- Most Fearless Advocate
20. Amb. John Metchie- Prince of Peace and Reconciliation
21. Mrs. Adaora Umeoji-Light of the Girl-Child
22. Hon. Benjamin Kalu- Champion of Equity
23. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara
24. Hon. Ali Isa- B.C Grassroots Empowerment Lawmaker
25. Dr. Chioma Ejikeme- Pensioners’ Angel
26. Chief Nduka Obiagbena- Nigeria’s Media Pathfinder
27. Dr. Tony Ojukwu- Champion of Human Rights
28. Dr. Yemi Esan- Excellent Service to the Nation
29. Amb John Metchie – Exemplary Peace Ambassador
30. Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC- Most Innovative Agency
31. Jaiz Bank- Most People-Oriented Bank
32. Social Insurance Trust Funds, NSITF- Employee Protector-In-Chief
33. Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund- Most Impressive Institutional Funding Agency of the Year
34. Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC- Most Compliant Agency on International Best Practices
35. Rural Electrification Agency, REA- Most Improved Service Delivery Agency
36. PTAD- Best Reforms/ICT Compliance Agency
37. NHRC- Most Committed Agency of the Year.
38. David Adeleke (Davido)- Outstanding Humanity Entertainment Artist of the Year.
39. Ruth Kadiri- Inspirational Actress of the Year
40. Auwal Dankode- Hope of the Future Award- Male
41. Ngozi Kekwara- Hope of the Future Award (Female).
Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.
The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.
According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.
He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.
“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.
He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.
The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.
Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.
Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.
“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.
The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.
“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.
He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.
“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.
Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.
“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.
Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.
Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.
Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.
He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.
However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.
Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.
“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.
“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.
“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”
Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.
“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.
“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”
Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.
“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.
He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.
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