Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele and elder statesman, Ahmed Joda were amongst seven ‘worthy Nigerians’ that won the 2017 Zik Prize presented at a gathering attended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovial, Mr Femi Otodola and other famous persons on Sunday night in Lagos.
The Zik Prize is annually organized by the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre which is chaired by Professor Jubril Aminu with members that include Professor Pat Utomi, Prince Emeka Obasi among others. This year’s event took place at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos
Governor Shettima won the Prize in recognition of his efficient management of the Boko Haram crisis evident in stabilization of Borno State, rehabilitation of victims, coordination of local and international responses, ongoing reconstruction of communities and resettlement of victims, the organizers said. Governor Shettima’s award was received by his representative, Adamu Yuguda Dibal, who was Borno’s Deputy Governor from 2003 to 2011.
Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele who attended the event, was honoured for exhibiting high professional leadership in the discharge of his function as chief executive of the apex bank. Ahmed Joda was honoured in recognition of his selflessness in public service. About four others won the prize.
Speaking for the Advisory Board of Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre, Chief Mark Wabara who spoke on behalf of Chairman, Professor Jubril Aminu, said the award recipients were selected based on merit after careful evaluation of their individual records of public service in Nigeria.
