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Davido, Ruth Kadiri, Dangote, Air Peace, Brittainia-U, others for ‘Nigeria’s Pride Awards 2024
Nigeria’s multiple-award-winning singer, David Adeleke, also known as Davido, Nollywood actress, Ruth Kadiri, Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote and his conglomerate, Dangote Group, West Africa’s flagship airline, Air Peace and the first Nigerian female oil prospecting company founder and CEO, Uju Catherine Ifejika are among personalities nominated for the 2024 edition of Nigeria’s Pride Awards scheduled for November in Abuja.
A few federal agencies and other corporate institutions in the private sector are also on the list of nominees for the awards, being organized by African Leadership Scorecard Magazine and The Beauties of Nigeria TV.
They include, 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).
News
NiMet DG Anosike urges service providers to move beyond institutional compliance to measurable impacts on citizens
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has called on public institutions to move beyond regulatory compliance and certifications to delivering measurable results that create lasting value for citizens.
The DG/CEO of NiMet, who was represented by the Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Engr. Hamid Olayinka Abdulkareem, made the call during his keynote address at the 3rd National Quality Improvement Summit and Awards, organised by the Quality Improvement Institute of Nigeria (QIIN) in Abuja on Thursday 12 November 2026. Speaking on the theme, “Quality: Powering Performance – Moving Beyond Compliance to Measurable Results,” Professor Anosike emphasised that institutional credibility must be earned through consistent service delivery, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
Highlighting NiMet’s commitment to international quality standards, the DG/CEO disclosed that the Agency secured ISO 9001:2015 certification for aeronautical meteorological services at Yola, Osubi and Owerri airports in July 2026, alongside the successful recertification of five other airports, bringing its total number of QMS-certified airport stations to eight. He stressed that quality assurance in meteorological services is critical to aviation safety, agricultural productivity, disaster preparedness and national economic development.
Professor Anosike further highlighted the integration of the Balanced Scorecard Performance Management System into NiMet’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan as a significant step towards strengthening institutional accountability. He explained that the framework connects strategic objectives with measurable performance indicators, ensuring that organisational success is assessed not merely by activities undertaken but by results achieved and value delivered.
He urged institutions to invest in people, technology and stakeholder partnerships while embedding quality management into their organisational culture. According to him, sustainable institutional excellence requires leadership commitment, continuous evaluation and a deliberate shift from procedural compliance to measurable public impact.
News
Joint Aviation Unions Appoint Keyamo Grand Patron of Renewed Hope Support Group, Present ITF Position Paper Ahead of ICAO Conference
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, today received a high-powered delegation of aviation labour unions under the Joint Aviation Trade Union Forum (JATUF), led by its Chairman, Comrade Ben Nnabue, in Abuja.
The delegation comprised top executives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and other aviation unions, including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP). The unions are affiliates of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
Other members of the delegation included Comrade John Ogbe, Vice Chairman; Comrade Alale Adedayo, Vice Chairman; Group Captain Bunmi Gandeh, Vice Chairman; and Comrade Hector Nnadi, Secretary of the Forum.
The visit was primarily to formally present the position paper of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to the Minister, seeking Nigeria’s support for a motion advocating the integration of social sustainability, decent work and meaningful workers’ engagement into the global civil aviation framework at the forthcoming Seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference (ATConf7) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), scheduled to hold in Montreal, Canada, from November 16 to 20, 2026.
According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser to the Hon. Minister on Media and Communications, the proposed motion, which has received Nigeria’s nod, underscores the need for the international aviation community to recognise that the sustainability and long-term success of civil aviation go beyond infrastructure development, technological advancement and economic growth to include the welfare, rights and professional development of the workforce that sustains the industry.
The unions stressed that the future of international civil aviation must be built on a framework that balances economic competitiveness with social responsibility, recognising aviation workers as indispensable stakeholders in the growth, safety and efficiency of the industry.
The Minister’s reception of the position paper further demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to constructive engagement with organised labour and the promotion of policies that strengthen the aviation sector while protecting the interests of its workforce.
In a related development, the delegation also formally presented the Minister with an invitation to serve as Grand Patron of the Renewed Hope Aviation Support Group (RHASG), under the umbrella of the Strategic Collaboration for the Re-Election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The nomination, made on behalf of the Board of Trustees, National Executive Council and entire membership of the organisation, recognises the Minister’s leadership, professional competence and capacity for strategic coordination.
The group congratulated Keyamo on his recent appointment as Director of the Directorate of Air Transport Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) re-election campaign, describing the appointment as a testament to the confidence reposed in his leadership abilities, organisational experience and commitment to effective mobilisation.
According to the group, the Minister’s wealth of experience in managing complex responsibilities, coupled with his strategic understanding of the aviation industry, makes him well-positioned to provide political leadership, guidance and direction to the organisation.
The appointment as Grand Patron is intended to strengthen the group’s strategic direction and consolidate support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his anticipated re-election bid.
The development marks another demonstration of the growing intersection between organised aviation labour, industry stakeholders and broader national development objectives, with the Minister continuing to engage stakeholders on issues that affect the growth, sustainability and future of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
News
Gwarzo appoints Shehu Wada Sagagi as campaign DG
The Kano State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has appointed a former Kano State Chief of Staff, Gwani Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, as Director-General of his 2027 governorship campaign.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, spokesperson to the NDC governorship candidate.
According to the statement, Gwarzo also named Alhaji Adamu Ali Ibrahim Kibiya as Secretary of the Campaign Directorate and Engr. Sunusi Usman Dambatta as Deputy Director-General.
Sagagi, a former Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry and ex-chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kano State, is expected to lead the campaign’s activities ahead of the 2027 election.
The appointments take immediate effect, while the full membership of the campaign council will be announced later.
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