Gov. Hiycienth Alia of Benue has emerged Leadership Governor of the Year for his outstanding leadership qualities and his fight against corruption in the state.
Alia received the award on Tuesday in Abuja at the 16th edition of Leadership Annual Conference (2023) organised by Leadership Group, a leading media organisation in Nigeria.
Other awardees include, Mr Peter Obi, Politician of the Year (2023) Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina state, Gov. Okuwaseyi Mankinde of Oyo and
Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger.
Also awarded is the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, Public Servant of the Year, and a “keke” rider Mr Salisu Awulu for returning N15 million that was misplaced in his tricycle.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger thanked Leadership for the honour.
He said that the award will spur them to do more for their various states and to move the nation forward.
Bago said that Nigeria has the capacity to feed herself pledging that the to intensify efforts in food production to address hunger in the land.
The governor, however, said that leadership should not hesitate to withdraw the awards if any of the awardees if found wanting.
“We cannot be honoured when we are not honourable, if any of the awardees if found wanting, please organise an event like this and withdraw the award,” he said.
The keynote speaker of the event, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu said that the current economic reality in the country is an effect of mistakes made by various governments over time.
He said that the current economic situation can be corrected if deliberate actions are taken to by government.
Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that deliberate moves must be made to spur nation building and entrench good governance in the country.
He called for proper economic strategies as against setting up of ad hoc committees or business groups during crisis.
The expert recommended full time economic strategic advisory team of experts to guide the President and fiscal policy makers in the country.
He recommended a cut in the cost of governace, population control, social security system as against palliatives and handout system being practiced.
Moghalu emphasised the need for increased electricity supply, to end end oil theft and corruption in the country among others.
Earlier, the Chairman of leadership group, Mrs Zainab Nda-Isaiah said that the award ceremony coincided with 20th anniversary of the organisation.
She said that the ceremony is used to spotlight on individuals, political office holders and organisations that have distinguished themselves in service to humanity.
Also awarded is Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Politician of the Year 2023, Mr Isa Mohammed Gerawa, Business Person of the Year 2023 and Dr Stella Okoli, CEO of The Year 2023 among others. (NAN)