OurNigeria News Awards 2021: Celebrating Distinguished Nigerians
By Matthew Eloyi
The Board and Management of OurNigeria News Magazine is set to honour some prominent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and communities with awards of excellence.
The OurNigeria News Awards is an annual event organised by OurNigeria News magazine, which was set up in 2019.
The 2021 edition is the second in the series and it is scheduled to take place on the 28th of January 2022 at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.
Major General Ibrahim Bata Malgwi Haruna (Rtd) is expected to Chair the event, and Nigeria’s Envoy to Benin Republic, Ambassador TY Buratai is the Special Guest of Honor.
This edition of the awards has the following nominees as awardees:
Gen Mohammadu Buba Marwa (Man of the Year): Before his emergence as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the agency was rather dormant. He took over the helm of affairs and now the Agency is in the forefront in the fight against drugs abuse. Marwa’s patriotism and diligence have left imprints on the country, showing both old and young the way to go.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Faruk Yahaya (TY Buratai Excellence Award in Military Leadership Class A): The award was created in honour of the former Chief of Army Staff, now Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt.-Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd) to appreciate the gallant contributions of officers of the Nigerian Army who have done a lot to see that Nigeria remains united and safe. Lt.-Gen Faruk Yahaya is receiving the award in recognition of his outstanding ongoing fight against insurgents and other Terrorism activities in the country.
In the same vein, Commodore KM Bushi of the Nigerian Navy will be conferred with the Muhammadu Buhari Excellence Award in Financial Management.
Senator Bassey Edet Otu will receive the Politician of the Year award because of his exceptional performance and consistency as a politician. His brand of politics without bitterness and contact touch and empowerment of people at the grassroots is unique.
Mr. Zack Orji (Lifetime Achievement Award in Entertainment): Zack Orji is a veteran actor who has distinguished himself through excellence in Nollywood. He is one of Nollywood’s most celebrated actors and among the pioneers of the movie industry. The height Nollywood has attained today is a product of the hard work of personalities like Zack Orji.
Halima Nurudeen (Youth Inspiration of the Year): She is the founder of Nur Outreach Programme for Drug Education & Reintegration (NOPDER), a non-governmental organization that aims at promoting and improving the self-worth of young Africans (youths) especially the girls-child through innovative and sustainable awareness on the issue of mental health and reducing the drastic spread of the menace called drug/substance abuse through counselling, awareness campaign, peer to peer enlightenment outreach, school to school education. She is being awarded for her outstanding performance in combatting the menace of drug abuse among youths in Nigeria.
Mohammed Abba Isa (Ability in Disability Award): from Yobe State. Although he is a person with disability, Isa bagged a Master’s Degree and he is in the forefront in championing the rights of people living with disability and also contributing in peace building and conflict management in the northeast and Nigeria in general.
Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, Managing Director of the North-East Development Commission will receive the Mohammed Kyari Dikwa Excellence Award in Public Financial Management for his exceptional performance at the Commission.
Dr. Salamatu Hussaini (General Yakubu Gowon Excellence Award in Leadership): Born in 1960 to the Gwandu Royal family of Kebbi state, Dr. Salamatu was a minister of Foreign affairs and presently Chairman, National Human Rights Commission. She is a force to reckon with among women in Leadership.
Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed (Lifetime Achievement Award in Scholarship): He is the founder of BAZE University, Abuja. He is a politician and a scholar par excellence.
AIG Garba Umar-AIG INTERPOL (MD Yusuf Award of Excellence in Policing): A very principled and highly respected police chief and astute administrator. A giant among peers not only in terms of intellect, vision and prestige but also in terms of sterling qualities of leadership. A man endowed with pragmatism, high sense of service, dynamism and unalloyed love for the police job of protecting lives and properties. As Head of INTERPOL in Nigeria, the AIG has helped in mitigating corruption in Nigeria and West Africa.
Sen. Rochas Okoroacha (Lifetime Achievement Award in Philanthropy): Sen. Okoroacha’s contribution in Philanthropy across Nigeria is well known. Okorocha has shown remarkable excellence in all spears of life as one of Nigeria’s multi-billionaire, education philanthropists, politician, an astute businessman, a man who has set his sights on providing free education to 1 million children across the African continent by the year 2030.
The Paramount Ruler of Alesa Eleme in River State, HRH Emere Emperor JD Nkpe II JP will receive the award of ICON OF NATIONAL UNITY and also serve as the Royal Father of the Day, while the Traditional Ruler of Nortem-Bori Community in Ogoni kingdom, will receive the Nelson Mandela Excellence Award in Leadership.
Others include: the National Chairman of Traditional Medicine Sellers with Speaker, Muktari Jibirin Lamiru and his deputy, Salisu Sani (Baba Aisha). They are being considered for the General Excellence Award in Traditional Medicine for bringing sanity into the system by introducing the registration of all members through data capture so as to flush all quarks from the system.