L-R: Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosu; Vice President Alhaji Nnamadi Sambo; The First Recipient of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award 2012, Prof. Wole Soyinka; Daughter of Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Niger State Governor,Dr Aliyu Babangida and National Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (A.C.N), Chief Bisi Akande during the Encouraging, Recognizing, Rewarding and Celebrating Excellence in Nigerian Leadership Inaugural of Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award 2012 in Lagos.
President Goodluck Jonathan and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi have described the conferment of the Obafemi Awolowo prize for Leadership on Professor Wole Soyinka as a right step in the right direction.
The duo affirmed that no one else in Nigeria deserves the maiden edition of the prize as much as the Nobel laureate for standing out and for the values of the late Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
President Jonathan who was represented at the event in Lagos by the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo asserted that Awolowo showed exemplary leadership coupled with integrity, accountability and people-driven leadership.
Jonathan said Soyinka exemplified the same qualities as Awolowo even as the Nobel laureate played active roles in the democratization process and the formation of the Federal Road Safety Corp as well as boosted the nation’s pride in the comity of nations.
Dr. Fayemi said Soyinka’s qualification for the award is without doubts because he had stood severally for justice and humanity in the political and academic arena.
The Governor stressed that the trajectory of Awolowo’s life in comparison with what Soyinka shows that he imbibed justice, service to humanity and leadership by example.
He added that the recipient is “taller than anyone” with whom he could have been compared with in Nigeria.
Last modified: March 8, 2013
