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Finance and member of the state executive council in 1992. Between 1996 and 1998, he was appointed member of the National Economic Intelligence Committee and Federal Economic Council. In 1999, Duke was elected governor and re-elected in 2003.
Governor of the Year Award: Mua'zu: Bauchi's Mr. infrastructure
The emergence of the Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Adamu Ahmadu Mua'zu, as one of the dual winners of the Best Governor of the Year Award at the 12th THISDAY annual awards could not have come as a surprise. Mua'zu is rounding off his second term in office by May 29. For the Bauchi State governor, the journey that began on May 29, 1999 on a fruitful note is gradually coming to a befitting anchor as Mua'zu will tell all those that care to listen, that he has discharged the mandate entrusted on him creditably well. It was perhaps in deference to this superlative performance in office that he got his re-election in 2003 almost effortlessly. Indeed, Mua'zu is known to have performed in office. He undertook many developmental projects in Bauchi State, particularly in the area of social infrastructure. In his first term in office, he constructed so many road networks including opening up many rural areas in the state; he constructed and renovated many hospitals and health centers. He also built many schools and other vocational institutions. Mua'zu also changed the face of the state's public service by rebuilding the state secretariat and networking their offices. At that time, many important dignitaries across the country were always brought to Bauchi State to perform one commissioning ceremony or another. The governor was to consolidate on these achievements in his second term in office.
Another giant stride undertaken by the Mua'zu administration is in the area of tourism. Mua'zu lobbied and got the Federal Government to cede the Yankari Games Reserves to the Bauchi State Government and today the reserve is a tourist attraction. The governor's superlative performance in the last seven years in office has endeared him to his people in Bauchi State and raised his profile in the North. Apart from his performance, one major asset the Bauchi State governor parades is his uncommon humility which stares you in the face when you encounter him. On the political front, Mua'zu has successfully coordinated the state's politics as the leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. Mua'zu was largely instrumental to the emergence of his former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Nadada Umar, as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for the state. The governor initially expressed interest in the presidential race but opted out when the coast became unclear. A strategist in his own right and one that knows when to beat a retreat, Mua'zu pulled back when the powers-that-be and PDP apparatchik asked the governors to concede to their Katsina State counterpart. Mua'zu is at present rooting for the Senate on the same PDP platform in his state. He is also at present Chief of Staff to PDP presidential candidate and Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
For Mua'zu, the road to the awards victory was rather smooth. Seven governors were nominated in the category including Cross River State Governor, Mr Donald Duke who won along with him and Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who won the coveted prize in 2005. Others nominated apart from Mua'zu were Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Adamu Aliero; Mr. James Ibori, Delta State; Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Oyo State; and Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu State. Mua'zu who appeared in his usual Babariga was accompanied by the House of Representatives Leader, Hon. Abdul Ningi, the state's Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Babale, the state's Director of Press, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammed and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Alhaji Nadada Umar. In his acceptance speech, the Bauchi State governor pledged to continue to work in the interests of the state and in pursuit of excellence and good governance.
"I thank THISDAY for finding me fit for the award of Governor of the Year. The award will spur me on in the continued service of our people and in the pursuit of excellence and good governance. Once again, I thank THISDAY newspapers," he said.
Talking about Mua'zu and Duke who won the Governor of the Year award, THISDAY Chairman and Editor-in-chief, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, said the two governors represent the best of our generation. "True, both ran for the presidency. They will get it next time," he said.
Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu'azu was born on June 11, 1955 in Boto Local Government Area of Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State. He started his early education at the ATM primary school, Gana Ropp between 1962 and 1968. And between 1971 and 1975, he attended Boys Secondary School, Gindiri.
He also had a brief stint at the School of Basic Studies, Zaria between 1975 and 1976 before he proceeded to the Ahmadu Bello University, first between 1977 and '79 and later between 1982 and 1983.
He later left for the United Kingdom where he went to consolidate on his choice course at the Birmingham University in 1984. He ended up with an M.Sc in Construction Management.
Mu'azu has at different time worked at different places. He was Chairman of both the Federal Polytechnic of Idah and Ado Ekiti respectively. He was also chairman, Bauchi State Housing Authority and Water Board before he was elected governor in 1999 and re-elected in 2003 for another term of four years.
Senator of the Year: Ken Nnamani: A steady hand for democracy
Senator Kenechukwu Nnamani, born November, 1948, joined active politics under United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) during the General Sani Abacha era in 1995. He contested for Enugu East senatorial district slot against Chief Jim Nwobodo who was then in the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) and won. But that victory was shortlived as the brief regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar swept aside.
In 1999 he was became a member of ANPP but didn't contest. In the buildup to the 2003 election he teemed up with Governor Chimaraoke Nnamani of Enugu State who is his kinsman, against Nwobodo who had been the governor's godfather too. He was chosen by the governor as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in place of Nwodobo. He won the election and became a senator.
He served creditably in several committees in the Senate then headed by Senator Adolphus Wabara who was then the senate president. Wabara was forced to resign in connection with the controversial N50million bribery scandal. Nnamani became senate president. He has been one senate president who has not been under the threat of impeachment. He has also been on the side of the people and senate. He has strived to restore the dignity of the senate.
Nnamani's pedigree as a businessman who loves ideas and a fan of American legislative politics theoretically predisposes him to an independent, yet interdependent mentality that is suitable to a development-focused legislation. As it has turned out it could not be denied that Nnamani has indeed steered deliberation in the Senate firmly in the path of sagacity and respect for constitutional procedures.
The infamous third term saga indeed placed a grave responsibility on the Senate President's shoulders as the presiding officer. The good news is that he has proved beyond doubt that he understands the gravity of the crisis tugging at the heels of this divisive constitutional amendment and he is fully assured in his convictions to stand above the fray and hold the fair balance. He did.
In a republic with democracy, conflicts must arise. Resolving conflicts with legitimacy is what stands democracy above other contending world views. According to pundits, democracy will survive if contending forces, especially the superior force, restrains itself. This self-restraint is aided when the gatekeepers, be they jurists or legislators, commit themselves to transparent and reassuring conduct. From his track record so far, Nnamani has demonstrated transparency and contagious integrity, and exudes confidence in the National Assembly. His decorum, dignity, intelligence and fiercely independent political morality has been there for all to see.
His legislative interests include Rural Development, Economic growth and competitiveness, Human Security, Democratic Reforms and Human Right. According to Nnamani, his target achievement are to establish a comprehensive legislative framework to grow the economy, reduce poverty and provide social security for Nigerians
Nnamani has a Bachelor of Business Adminstration (BBA) and Master of Business Adminstration(MBA) Ohio University, Athen, USA. Before politics, he was into business management and consulting. He was Senate (Chairman, Committee on Federal character and Governmental Affairs and member of the following Committees: Privatization, Federal Capital Territory, Appropriation & Finance.) He was at one time, Director, Eleme Petrochemical Company Limited.
Representative of the Year: Farouk Lawan: The Effective Legislator
Hon. Farouk Muhammed Lawan, born July 1962, hit the national limelight in 1999 when he was elected member, House of Representatives from Kano State. Lawan immediately developed an ambition to become speaker and mounted a nationwide campaign. He has the visage of a young boy and the voice of a trained speaker.
He represents Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency of Kano State.
He was a member of the National Assembly that went abroad to campaign for debt relief. He chairs the powerful approppriaition committee. He had contested against Hon. Salisu Buhari, first Speaker of the House of Representatives and lost. He had also contested against Masari for the same position but later withdrew.
Lawan has a B.A English, M.A English, PGDM, all from Bayero University, Kano. He worked as registrar of the Kaduna Polytechnic. His legislative interests include Appropriation, Information and Education while his stated target achievement is ensuring good governance in the polity.
Though very dimunitive, yet Lawan was very visible and wields tremendous influence. As a grassroots politician, Lawan introduced a new form of constituency consultation when he started moving round his area in Kano State to seek their views on what they expected of the government and in what areas they think he can personnally intervened. The legislator is also fond of seeking periodic assessment of his performance from his constituents. It is not for nothing that Lawan has remained so popular in Kano State, the House of Representatives and in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hierarchy.
He is a respected partyman who however knows when to draw a line between party and national interests. Lawan has also positioned as a representative with the larger interest of the nation at heart instead of pusuing narrow sectional interest.
Minister of the Year: Oby Ezekwesili: Minister with a Vision for Education.
Mrs. Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili has been Nigeria's Honourable Minister of Education since the end of June 2006. She has, since then, started a reform vision and agenda called: "WE CAN" - which when spelled out means: "We Educate for Character Aptitude and our NEEDS." As Education Minister, Mrs. Ezekwesili's mandate is to develop and strengthen Nigeria's human resource capacity in every sustainable manner.
From August 2005, she was the Minister of Solid Minerals Development with a mandate to reposition Nigeria's mining sector into a preferred destination for global capital as well as ensure that the sector contributes fairly to the development of the Nigerian economy. Thus, Mrs. Ezekwesili comes into the Nigerian education sector with a track record in repositioning the nation's mineral sector into becoming more attractive to extensive global investment.
Ezekwesili, popularly called Oby, was until July 2005, the Senior Assistant to the President and Head of the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit in the Office of the President of Nigeria. She also piloted the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which opened up the Oil, Gas and Mining sectors to wider public scrutiny through transparency and accountability mechanisms.
A leader in development and governance initiatives, Ezekwesili serves on the boards of several national and international organizations committed to economic development and democratic issues both in her country Nigeria and the rest of the world. She is one of the founders of the Transparency International (TI), established in 1994. Oby served on the TI Board for five years until October 1999 when she stepped down.
Ezekwesili was named in January 2004 as the winner of the Tufts University's prestigious Dr. Jean Mayer Award for Global Citizenship joining the rare breed of Nobel Laureates that were past winners of the award. She had earlier in September 2000 been seconded to Nigeria from Harvard University, Centre for International Development (CID) where she both studied and worked as director of the Nigeria Economic Strategy Programme.
She is also the recipient of the Harvard University's prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in public service in 2000. The Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors conferred on her an honorary fellowship in recognition of her leadership of the reform of the public procurement system. She is cited in the publication Heroes of Democracy in recognition of her pro-democracy advocacy roles.
Ezekwesili who is still in pursuit of a Doctoral Degree in Public Policy with a special focus on Economic Development Policy is a graduate of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
Also a graduate of both the Universities of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Lagos, she holds a Master of Public Policy and administration, Master of International Law and Diplomacy, B.Sc. Degree in Business Education and qualified as a Chartered Accountant after a career in Akintola Williams Deloitte and Touch.
She is co-author of a number of publications on good governance, transparency and accountability. She is a pre-eminent speaker at conferences, seminars and workshops. In addition to being on the Board of Directors of the World Computer Exchange, Oby is also on the Board of Directors of Global Development Resources, one of the Exchange's Allied Organisations.
Married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the Redeemed Christian Church of God [RCCG]; Oby and her husband are blessed with three sons - twin boys: Chinemelum and Chinwuba (16) and Chidera (13).
Government Person of the Year: Chukwuma Soludo: Agent of Positive Change
Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor was voted the 'Government Person of The Year' at THISDAY's Award 2007. He is dynamic, purposeful and full of energy. Since assuming the governorship position of the apex bank, Soludo has been able to galvanize the banking industry into something that is today the pride of all Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike.
Under his watch, the number of banks was reduced from over 90 to 25 and the minimum share capital increased from N2 billion to N25 billion. Although the operators stoutly criticized the banking reform policy initially, with the benefit of hindsight, many have come to regard it as the best thing that has ever happened to the industry.
He has left no doubt in the mind of anybody as to what he is doing and his agenda for the industry. The banking reform he introduced in 2004 has been acknowledged globally as a significant milestone in the anal of Nigerian banking industry. He has great vision for the Nigerian banking industry. Before long, Professor Soludo once predicted, that the Nigerian Banking sector will overtake that of South Africa, which currently has the best in the continent.
An unassuming, very humble, good looking and blessed young man in his forties, clearly Professor Soludo exudes a nonchalance that could easily be underestimated.
He studied Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in 1984. Soludo has several years of post-doctoral training in various institutions, including the Brookings Institution, the University of Oxford as Rhodes Scholar and the University of Cambridge. He is also currently a Member of the International Advisory UK-DFID.
Professor Soludo joined the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Chief Economic Adviser to the President and Chief Executive of the National Planning Commission in 2003. His key achievements include leading the team that prepared the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) and the State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS).
Soludo has served as senior technical advisor/consultant as well as a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and also taught IMF's Financial Programming and Policy course to senior staff of Central Banks in West Africa and other developing regions. He has served as a member of Technical Committees that drafted economic and trade policies for the Federal Government of Nigeria; and Executive Director of the African Institute for Applied Economics (AIAE).
A very patriotic Nigerian, Soludo often speak of the Nigerian project with high optimism. He has a vision of a New Nigeria. A Nigeria that is bigger than any one individual, patriot or rebel. This New Nigeria is a vision directly communicated by President Olusegun Obasanjo. Soludo is a key part of strategising to bring about that New Nigeria. This was made very clear by the Professor in dedicating his glorious 2006 'Banker of The Year' award presented to him by the London Magazine, The Banker, to President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nigerians. A very religious man too, Soludo also recognized the place of God in his winning the award and actually dedicated it first to his creator.
What President Obasanjo has and is achieving through his commitment to reforming Nigeria will be showcased world over. "This I believe and have said before I will like all Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria to consider this carefully in choosing to judge correctly based on facts, I mean informed judgments, as opposed to hearsay and malicious garbage from jealous, misinformed, ill-willed and or simply ignorant folks both at home and abroad."
Professor Soludo emphasised the commitment of President Obasanjo to not just reforming Nigeria, but to taking Nigeria right up from the lowest ebb to the highest possible heights. "I note that President Obasanjo knows he cannot do this on his own but is bent on leaving no stones unturned to ensure that the foundation is solid," he once said.
To ensure that the banking reform is rooted on solid ground, the CBN has been very proactive in its supervisory role of the banks. To do this effectively, the apex bank directed the 25 banks in the country to complete all the processes associated with rendering their accounts on-line through its Electronic Financial Analysis and Surveillance System (e-FASS).
The electronic monitoring device enable the apex bank to monitor closely on a daily basis the state of affairs of all banks in the country without necessarily sending inspectors to check the banks' records. The CBN needed to do this because in a bid to make adequate returns to shareholders, banks could be tempted to venture into areas that would increase their risk profile. Banks were therefore to put in place robust risk management framework that would take care of the various risks that they may encounter in the post consolidation era.
Soludo in his monitoring of the banks has not failed to wield the big stick when necessary. Recently, the apex bank lowered the stick on seven banks that failed to render daily returns as required. On Monday, it made good its threat to deal with erring banks by barring about three banks from the foreign exchange market for failing to render their returns.
Part of the sanction included suspension of the affected banks from the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS). The apex bank had earlier on warned the operators in a circular referenced BSD/DIR/CIR/07/VOL/01, dated January 23, 2007 signed by its Director, Banking Supervision Department (DSD), Mr. Ignatius Imala of the consequences of not rendering the daily returns as required.
The live-run of the electronic Financial Analysis and Surveillance System (eFASS) commenced with effect from October 3, 2006, and it is designed to enable the CBN/NDIC monitor effectively, the performance of the reporting institutions.
More than just a banker to the government, the CBN is also involved in community relation activities. The apex bank is very much involved in sporting activities. However, since the late 1990s, the CBN has expanded its involvement in community-based activities beyond sporting development to include other areas of community development.
In response to the general concern about the decaying infrastructure in the first generation universities, the bank attempted to provide/improve key infrastructure under the Nigerian Universities Capacity Building Programme. Following the success of the pilot scheme, the programme has since been extended to include second generation universities. The projects carried out under this capacity building programme include the construction of administrative blocks, lecture halls, laboratories, health centres, and provision of IT and V-sat equipment.
The CBN under Professor Soludo's watch has done quite much in this direction. The Bank has so far spent the sum of over N453 million on such projects in 24 Universities and more Universities are expected to benefit from the programme in subsequent years.
Government Personality of The Year: Ifueko Omoigui: The Ingenuity of a Tax collector
As an accountant, she is a role model to millions of Nigerian youths. Certainly not the run-of-the-mill accountant, Ifueko Omoigui is focused, aggressive and serious-minded and has carved out a niche for herself in management and consulting.
Given the opportunity to make a difference in the public sector for the first time ever in her life in 2004, she did not balk at the challenge. Nothing, however, prepared her for the volume of work she has had to contend with. It was not just the hardwork, but the multiplicity of stakeholders she has had to deal with. From the staff, board of directors, House of Representatives, Senate, to the Federal Civil Service Commission, Head of the Civil Service and the public, Omoigui must manage these critical stakeholders who represent the core of her agency's operations. Beyond this, she must balance all the needs of these stakeholders.
Falling back on a trademark trait, she simply dived into the task. She is particularly lucky to have a good team to effectively gather revenue for the nation. Her co-workers at FIRS gaveher the needed co-operation driven by sheer respect for her sincerity and competence. As it were, part of her reform agenda was to fish out the bad eggs in collaboration with the good ones in FIRS. This she astutely undertook.
Born December 10, 1962, Omoigui attended Queens' College, Lagos and Federal Government College, Warri. She then proceeded to the University of Lagos where she graduated with a First Class Honours in accounting. She was selected as the valedictorian of her graduating class. With a passion to be the best always, she went on to obtain one of the highest scores in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Examination.
Her sheer brilliance attracted Arthur Anderson, now KPMG and Accenture, to employ her. By that feat, she became the first female professional staff hired in Nigeria by Arthur Anderson. They were not disappointed as she performed beyond their expectation to emerge as the first female professional manager and the first female national partner. In 1996, she founded ReStral Ltd, a partnership and management services company.
Her focussed pursuit led her to be actively involved in community development. She served on the board of many non-governmental organisations, such as the FATE Foundation, Communicating for Change, INTEGRITY, Community Development Foundation, Oba Otudeko Foundation, Ladi Mechanic Initiative, amongst others.
Numerous honours and awards have come her way, too. She was recognised as a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In 2000, the Nigerian Government appreciated her by conferring on her the Member of the Order of the Niger, MON. One of her most significant contributions to developing Nigeria was the role she played in the creation of Vision 2010. Vision 2010 was Nigeria's effort at developing a long-term strategic development plan.
Role models? She does not have a specific one but rather looks up to numerous individuals who helped in either moulding her life or had personality traits she admires a lot. She would cherish forever the perfectionist streaks her parents sowed in her. Her father retired as the Surveyor-General of the federation. Her mother, while teaching at FGC,. Warri, went back to school to get a law degree. In fact, after her retirement as a teacher, she retired again as a magistrate in Lagos. Efunjoke Coker and P.H. Daries, her teachers at Queen's College and FGC, Warri, respectively became sources of inspiraton to her for inculcating discipline and experience which she brought to bear on her consulting career. She adores late Mother Teresa and the Pope on the spiritual realm and of course, Nelson Mandela for his indomitable courage and self-sacrifice.
Omoigui's philosophy in her words: "Wherever you are, be yourself regardless of the circumstances. You do not know your tomorrow so put in everything you have got for what you know how to do today. Never say you would manage because tomorrow you might not be there. We all have crosses and whatever that cross is, it could have been worse. So, move forward, do not let it stop you and accept yourself for who you are. Above all, in whatever you are doing, always be mindful of your health by trying to achieve a balance between hardwork and leisure. So, create time for family, friends and for yourself."
Hard work and an iron resolve apart, Omoigui's formula for relaxation comes as a surprise. She loves dancing. Night-crawling? certainly not! But she relishes friends, get-togethers where she really is a sight on the dance floor. She also loves reading, watching movies and traveling by road, so that she can enjoy natural scenery instead of travelling by air and seeing only clouds.
Government Agency of The Year: The New NTA: The Power of Free SpeEch
That the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) won the Government Agency of the year award last Saturday in the 12th THISDAY Annual Awards for Excellence and Governance is not surprising.
One, the NTA has come of age. Two, the agency has dorned a new look and it is now a force to reckon with both locally and internationally. With a new leadership, NTA now operates as a true professional outfit. Under Mr. Tony Iredia, a lawyer/journalist, all political parties and politicians of all hues now get access. There is equal access to be heard and to be viewed, which is indeed one unique thing that NTA under Iredia has done to the ongoing campiagns for the April elections. Iredia is perhaps the first journalist to man the NTA. At the NTA, he had initially risen to the position of General Manager where he left to delve into other things before coming back around 1999 as executive director. Iredia's understanding of journalism, law and indeed, the Nigerian nation is almost second to none.
Like Iredia, the NTA itself also has a rich history. It was set up in May 1977 through Decree 24 of that same year but effectively began operation April 1976. Thus, with that, the Nigerian Television Authority became the only agency empowered by law to carry out the business of television broadcasting in the country. With that decree, all previously existing state television stations were taken over by the new agency and incorporated into the NTA. For effectiveness and good service delivery, the station was organized on the six zones structure such that each zone of the federation consist of three stations with the exception of one particular zone which has four stations.
But with the nation's return to democratic government in 1999, the agency has transformed significantly which has enabled it to compete favourably with private stations in terms of content. This is rooted in the station's vision to be a world class Television Network in the new world order.
This is also in line with the agency's mission to provide excellent television service worldwide and project the true African perspective to the rest of the world. In all, the NTA's overall goal is to inform, educate and entertain viewers worldwide using the matrix of latest journalism and the methods of a first-class television station. The objectives of the NTA as defined in its mission-statement as: Effective coverage of Nigeria; the broadcast of internationally acceptable programmes Financial autonomy i.e to survive without Government's Subventions. Interestingly, the NTA has since the country's return to democracy become strongly committed to professional ethics: Accuracy and credibility of reports; impartiality, balance and objectivity of coverage. Also, it is also known to be fairly committed to the promotion of national interest, social responsibility and sensitivity to all sections and parties as well as commitment to global peace and development.
Regulator of The Year: NCC: understated, but very effective
For three consecutive years the Ernest Ndukwe-led Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been nominated for the Regulator of the Year award in the Annual THISDAY Award for Excellence and Good Governance. But in the 12th edition of the award held last week, the commission won the award. It was a deserved recognition for an agency which had discharged itself creditably well in the face of the enormous responsibility imposed on it by the GSM revolution.
The commission is led by an experience and respected professional, Ndukwe who has also lived up to expectation in the face of the challenges posed to it by the new technology.
The Commission hopes to catalyze the use of ICT's for different aspect of national development. The Commission has initiated several programmes such as SAP, SABI and WIN to help stimulate demand and accelerate the uptake of ICT tools and services necessary for the enthronement of a knowledge society in Nigeria.
In order to achieve its mandate, the Commission has put in place the necessary licensing and regulatory framework for the supply of