The advisory board of the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC) has formally announced recipients of 2021/2022 Zik Prize In Leadership Awards.
Making the announcement on behalf of PPRAC, the Head, Selection Committee, Prof. Pat Utomi, said that since the inception of Zik Prize In Leadership Award in 1995 by PPRAC in honour of the first President of Nigeria, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, it has always recognised and encouraged outstanding leadership on the African continent and in the Diaspora.
Being held every year, Utomi said the award was put on hold last year as a mark of respect, following the passage of two members of the advisory board, former Executive Secretary, Prince Emeka Obasi, and Prof. George Obiozor, in March and December 2022. He said this is the reason this edition is a combination of winners for 2021 and 2022.
He announced the 2021/2022 recipients as follows: President, Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema,as winner of Zik Prize in Political Leadership; President of AFREXIM Bank, Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah (Zik Prize in Professional Leadership); Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State (Zik Prize in Good Governance) and Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi (Zik Prize in Entrepreneurial Leadership).
According to him, past recipients of the Zik Prize include President J.J. Rawlings, President Nwalimu Julius Nyerere, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, President Sam Nujoma, Dr. Nelson Mandela, President Yoweri Muzeveni, President John Agyekum Kufuor, Dr. Pius Okigbo, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Otunba Subomi Balogun, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Alhaji Ahmed Joda and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
He noted that the formal presentation ceremony of the awards will be held on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.
Utomi noted that the issue of leadership has remained a critical challenge. He therefore, acknowledged that PPRAC fully understands this and, therefore, remains committed to this noble venture of encouraging and nurturing the most beneficial leadership that can be found on the continent, as an embodiment of the leadership values of the Great Zik of Africa in whose honour this award was instituted.
