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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).
Benue State Police Command has condemned the killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, Ardo Rabo Mohammed, and another man, Yakubu Isa, describing the attack as a senseless criminal act capable of undermining ongoing peace and security efforts in the state.
The victims were reportedly attacked by gunmen while returning from a security meeting along the Okwudu-Ogoli Road in Otukpo Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, condemned the killings and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
“The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns in its entirety the brutal killing of the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, Ardo Rabo Mohammed, and one Yakubu Isa, who were reportedly attacked by unknown assailants while returning from a security meeting along Okwudu-Ogoli Road, Otukpo,” the statement read.
According to the police, the command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident, with tactical and intelligence teams deployed to track down those responsible.
The Commissioner assured residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the perpetrators are identified, arrested and prosecuted.
He appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands, and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of escalating tensions.
The police also urged anyone with credible information that could aid the investigation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency lines.
Three bandits have been arrested in Benue state after a lady who they had kidnapped and released, identified them at a motor park and raised alarm.
The k!kidnappers came to Ihotu park to board a vehicle to Makurdi and were met by the lady they had earlier kidnapped and released after collecting ransom from her relatives.
They were even using a bag they collected from the girl. The girl raised the alarm, held one inside the vehicle, and two took to their heels, but were caught.
They had a ghana-must-go bag at the back of the vehicle. N11m was found inside the bag.
Following the confirmation of their identity by another lady who was also their victim, mob gathered around with the intent to beat them up and possibly set them ablaze.
But the park manager decided to invite the police and soldiers who rescued them and took them to their station.
It was later gathered that the Benue state Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia called and said he was interested in the case which made the police to take the apprehended bandits to Makurdi, the state capital.
President Bola Tinubu Federal Government has drawn down $1.5bn from a $5bn financing facility arranged with the United Arab Emirates’ largest lender, First Abu Dhabi Bank, despite growing concerns from global financial institutions over the increasing use of complex derivative financing by African sovereigns.
Bloomberg reported on Friday that the latest drawdown represents the first tranche of a $5bn Total Return Swap facility approved by the National Assembly on March 31, 2026, and is expected to support the 2026 budget, finance infrastructure projects, and refinance existing debt obligations.
The report quoted people familiar with the transaction, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
The report read, “Nigeria has accessed the first tranche of a $5bn derivatives deal with the United Arab Emirates’ largest lender, pressing ahead with a transaction that has been scrutinised for being opaque.
“The West African nation drew about $1.5bn in the last couple of weeks from a total return swap transaction with First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, according to people familiar with the transaction, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media.”
The transaction comes at a time when Nigeria is facing higher borrowing costs in international capital markets, forcing the government to seek alternative financing arrangements to shore up its fiscal position and improve access to foreign exchange liquidity.
Under the arrangement, Nigeria is required to pledge Federal Government securities worth about 133 per cent of any amount drawn under the facility. This means that for the full $5bn facility, the government would have to post approximately $6.65bn worth of naira-denominated bonds as collateral.
In return, the Abu Dhabi-based lender provides dollar liquidity to the Nigerian government. The Federal Government will pay a floating interest rate benchmark plus about four percentage points, while the lender receives the returns generated by the underlying government securities.
The transaction effectively allows Nigeria to unlock immediate dollar funding without issuing new Eurobonds or taking on traditional external loans at prevailing market rates, which have become increasingly expensive for frontier economies.
The government has already indicated that the proceeds from the initial $1.5bn drawdown will be deployed to support budget implementation, fund critical infrastructure projects, and refinance costlier domestic and external debts.
However, the financing arrangement has attracted criticism from international financial institutions and market analysts over concerns about transparency and potential hidden liabilities.
In its June 2026 assessment of African sovereign debt markets, the International Monetary Fund warned that derivative financing structures such as total return swaps are often opaque and difficult for investors and creditors to monitor.
The IMF noted that such arrangements are “hard to track, hard to value in real time, and can obscure the true extent of a country’s financial obligations.”
Three days ago, Fitch Ratings warned that Nigeria’s planned $5bn financing arrangement with First Abu Dhabi Bank could increase sovereign debt risks and reduce transparency in public debt reporting.
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