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This Year’s Zik Annual Lectures and Award has come and gone but the echoes of the lifetime event still reverberate among Nigerians who believe that late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was a man who came before his time. Though it’s an annual event, every edition always comes with its peculiarities that have made Nigerians to always look forward to November 16th every year.
This year event was no exception as Governor of Bornu state, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, his Ebonyi counterpart, Governor Dave Umahi, Eze Ndigbo Ghana and Assistant Publicity Secretary Association of Ndieze Ndigbo in the Diaspora, HRM Eze Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu, Nollywood actor Osita Iheme, Senator Uche Ekwunife and Chief Dr Amb. Divine Nwandu (Akunesiobike Mbaise) were among dignitaries that received Excellence Awards.
It is obvious that the organizers of this event had sleepless nights in selecting this year’s awardees taking into consideration that they are all great achievers in their areas of endeavour. The guests at Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, the venue of the event, upon announcement of Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as Governor of the Year agreed that a great transformer whose leadership style is synonymous with Zik has been formally recognized. His achievements speak for itself and that’s why he was given a standing ovation during the ceremony.
In the area of healthcare delivery, Professor Babagana Zulum accorded greater priority to Primary Healthcare at the grassroots level. He undertook 46 projects, from which 37 new primary healthcare centres, PHCs, were established in 17 local government areas. Twelve of these new PHCs have been completed while 25 are at various stages. Zulum reconstructed two primary healthcare centres in Tungushe and Walama; and rehabilitated the state’s Psychiatric and Skin Disease hospitals. Zulum rehabilitated two hospitals in Rann and Lassa; and upgraded Biu General Hospital to a specialist level. The Umaru Shehu Specialist Hospital was also remodelled. Zulum also established and funded a Contributory Healthcare Scheme to increase access to quality and affordable healthcare services by the people of Borno State.”
In the area of housing, the state governor did not disappoint the people who are in dire need of shelter arising from the continuous destruction of their places of abode by Boko Haram terrorists without provocation. According to records, in one year, Professor Zulum delivered no fewer than 6,544 rural and urban houses. Already completed are duplexes for professors; three bedrooms for Senior lecturers; two bedrooms for junior staff and a mega hostel for students, all at Borno State University. Zulum also delivered 20 bungalows and 50 houses for staff of the University of Maiduguri. At a larger scale, Zulum completed 500 low-cost re-settlement houses at Ajiri and 250 in Kawuri Township. A total of 3,000 low-cost houses are ongoing in Monguno; Guru-Soye; Kawuri village; Auno and Gamdu.
Similarly, the governor did not disappoint in the area of water supply, a key component of development in the state, which relies heavily on water for agriculture and consumption due to its climate. In one year, the administration of Zulum drilled no fewer than 213 new boreholes alongside distribution lines in 17 local government areas and also rehabilitated 122 dysfunctional boreholes in Jere, Konduga and MMC. He also approved the maintenance of 204 existing boreholes within Maiduguri and Jere. This brings to 539 boreholes in 26 LGAs, all of which were collapsed under 25 projects. At different times, Zulum undertook 13 other projects maintaining underground reservoirs, low-cost estate, Alau Raw Water Facility and above all, the Maiduguri Water Treatment Plant, for the benefit of Borno’s multi-ethnic residents.
The recognition of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi is another important area worthy to mention. Within the period he assumed the position, he succeeded in changing the face of the state and made Abakaliki the fastest developing state capital in Nigeria.
Governor Umahi has completed over 20 roads within the capital city. He has rebuilt some federal roads, especially the Afikpo-Abakaliki Road and the Nkalagu Road.
The immediate past administration was unable to secure billions of naira in counterpart funding from the Universal Basic Education Commission. The Umahi administration paid its contribution and obtained the money with which it began reconstructing and equipping schools. He also approved the promotion of the State University staff – a decision that had stalled for years.
The administration declared an emergency in the health sector and began the reconstruction of General Hospitals in the state. It also built the first Virology Centre in the South East from scratch, to reduce Lassa fever deaths.
Perhaps, the best achievement of the state government so far is its agricultural initiative. The administration poured billions of naira into the sector as soft loans to farmers, targeting expanded rice farming. The plan worked and rice production tripled this year. The government also procured parboiling machines for its three rice mills. It is also partnering with the federal government and the central bank in this regard, with the objective of making the state the nation’s biggest producer of rice.
The government has always paid workers’ salaries till date and workers have received 13th month salaries for the last three years. Salaries are paid before the 20th of every month, while those of teachers are paid before the 15th of every month. Pension of retired workers are also paid as and when due. The government said it would start to pay owed gratuities in installments. Gratuities have not been paid since the creation of the state in 1996. Governor Umahi’s recognition is not only timely but will propel him to do more for his people before the expiration of his tenure next year.
The Awards of Excellence given to HRM Eze (DR) Ambassador Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, Eze Igbo Ghana and Global PeaceAmbassador is a mark of the recognition of his effort in enhancing mutual co-habitation between his people and their host in Ghana. Eze Ihenetu has demonstrated competence and high sense of maturity in handling persistent squabble arising from misunderstanding in Ghana.
A communication expert with other chains of businesses in both Nigeria and Ghana, he has touched the lives of many people positively and this resulted in countless awards and recognitions that have come his way in the last two decades. With inter-cultural negotiation skills and alliance with African Diaspora Forum (ADF) in conjunction with UNESCO Ghana, he has done a lot in promotion of Igbo culture and values beyond the shores of Nigeria. He’s a man Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe would have been proud of if he were alive today.
The award of Senator of the Year given to Senator Uche Ekwunife is also worthy of mentioning taking into consideration that she is making waves in men dominated brand of Nigerian politics. Her regular return to the National Assembly through the vote of her people is a clear testimony that her legislative competence is worthy of emulation. As the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, she has sponsored a number of bills and motions in the upper chamber of the National Assembly that have positively touched the lives of Nigerians.
Osita Iheme who won 2022 Zik’s Actor of the Year Award has shown that there is “ability in disability”. He’s a household name in the nation’s Nollywood industry. In 2011, he was honoured as Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the then government of President Goodluck Jonathan. This inspired a lot of youths and subsequently convinced them that there is dignity in Labour. It’s not surprising to many that such talent was recognized.
Likewise, the awards of Icon of Humanitarian Service bestowed on Chief Dr Amb. Okwudiri Divine Nwandu (Akunesiobike Mbaise) in recognition of his contributions to nation building and national unity is a well deserved honour.
Born to the family of Chief Samuel Nwandu ( Aku Ewebe and Late Lolo Beatrice Nwandu of blessed memory, the Ihiteaforukwu in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State is a philanthropist of repute.
Chief Dr.Amb. Nwandu, a Solid Minerals resources expert, and founder/CEO Okwu ventures West Africa Ltd is Co- Director Basilod Youth care and Support Center as well as Co- Sponsor Eze-Igbo Ghana foundation and Grand Ambassador of the World Peace Assembly. He has used his investments to help the needy and uplifts the less privileged in his hometown Mbaise and in Ghana where he is based.
Finally, it is noteworthy to mention that the organizers of this award did a perfect job in the area of nominating awardees because it was devoid of bias.
