- Denies forming new political party
- Sanwo-Olu, Anyim, others win Zik leadership award
The professor of political economy and management expert, Pat Utomi, has said that the issue of leadership remains a critical challenge in Nigerian polity.
Utomi stated this, yesterday, while unveiling winners of the 2020 Zik Prize in Leadership Award organised by Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC).
The founder of Centre for Value in Leadership (CVL) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the leadership was able to figure out exceptional Nigerians for the prize.
Unveiling the winner for Zik Prize in Political Leadership, Utomi said the board recognised former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, as a deserved winner.
The board also named Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, as Zik Prize in Political Leadership winner.
President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Group Managing Director of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari and Director-General and CEO of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, were also named as winners of Zik Prize in Public Service Award.
Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc, U.K. Eke and Pioneer MD/CEO of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Uche Orji, were named the winner of Zik Professional Leadership award.
Former First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaette Akpabio, was named winner of Zik Prize in Humanitarian Leadership award, while Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule, were named the year 2020 Zik Prize in Good Governance.
MEANWHILE, Utomi has debunked the rumours that he and some other people have formed a political party called Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP).
Utomi stressed that the group is only interested in getting competent leaders into office, irrespective of the political party platform.
He also mourned the passage of a member of the Advisory Board for the Zik Prize in Leadership, Alhaji Abdulazeez Ude and other past recipients of the Zik Prize, such as Alhaji Ahmed Joda and Prof. Ayo Ibidapo-Obe.
