Essential Ndubuisi
Leadership has been described as the determining factor for national development.
It is on this backdrop that a leadership group, the Nigerian Prize for Leadership, NPL, has asked the Federal Government to declare 12th December of each year, beginning from 2023, as a National Leadership Day to recognise leaders who have excelled in their endeavours.
The group, through its Chairman of the Governing Board, Professor Anya O. Anya, said it is willing to provide appropriate content to effectively mark the day, in a most rewarding way for the citizens, government and the nation.
He said setting a day aside for this purpose will demonstrate government’s disposition to redefining the character of leadership in Nigeria, as well as enable citizens and organisations to give it exceptional attention in national consciousness.
According to him, since nation building is a joint responsibility of government and the citizens, the group will continue to lead the way in supporting government to appropriately address the challenge of leadership deficit in Nigeria as it is now a matter for urgent action, with measurable and deliberate, practical, and sustainable steps.
Earlier, the Chairman on the occasion, Professor Jerry Gana, had given criteria for selecting a winner for the leadership prize to include their impact on society, honesty, carriage, competence, capacity, among others.
He called for unity among Nigerians in the fight against the numerous challenges facing the country noting that the NPL, will make the remarkable difference in transforming Nigeria into a great nation, if there is exceptional leadership, across board.
Professor Gana stressed that all efforts should be gearred towards ensuring that the right foundation is laid for the enthronement of qualitative leadership in Nigeria.
While presenting the 2022 fellows, the Executive Secretary of NPL, Dr. Ike Neliaku, reeled out the required processes for attaing the feat and harped on the need for mentorship in Nigeria.
In his speech, the inaugural winner of the Prize for Leadership, Professor Suleiman Bogoro, said such awards, will deter evil doing in leadership and promote excellence at all times.
The Abuja Festival Chorale thrilled the guests with their numerous renditions.
