By Giwa SHILE
The Controller of Nigeria Prisons Service in Enugu State, Mr. Ndubuisi Ogbodo has received an award for good leadership by the African Emerging Leadership, Research and Development Organisation.
The award ceremony took place on Tuesday in Enugu at the state Headquarters of the service.
Ogbodo, while receiving the award, said he was elated to have been the sole recipient of the award amongst emerged 10 other nominees.
“I must tell you that I am delighted to have been given this award today because I was just being myself and not expecting any reward or compensation.
“This award presented to me by an organisation of this status has recognised my hard work, dedication and good character in my 28 years of penal administration in Nigeria.
“This award serves as a source of motivation for me to continue doing more and maybe as this has come, more might be in the offing,” he said.
The controller advised his contemporaries not to be deterred by the erroneous notion that honest and hardworking individuals are no longer recognised and awarded in Nigeria.
Ogbodo urged them to continue to work towards the development of the society adding that someday they would be recognised.
Presenting the award, the Director of Research AELRDO, Dr. Rhuefe Khaese, noted that the award presented to the controller was well deserved and a product of thorough research.
“Ogbodo emerged the winner of this award when the board chaired by Prof. Maurice Fangnon which I am representing here considered the outcome of the research carried out on each nominee.
“The controller is an exemplar of what Nigeria Prisons ought to be and stand for because he is truthful, transparent, honest, and committed to the welfare of staff and prisoners,” he said.
The director explained that the award was meant for military, para-military and civilians alike.
He said that the main criteria for being a recipient of the award include evidence of responsible and responsive leadership worthy of emulation.
Khaese said one of the aims of AELRDO was to promote human resources development and citizens’ participation in governance by recognizing discipline, integrity and positive values in African countries.
Past beneficiaries of this award in Nigeria include the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, Rear Admiral Ambrose Afolahan, AIG Abdulmajid Ali, AIG Agboola Oshodin-Glover, Captain Awa Agwu and Brigadier-General Lanre Bello.
