Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has emerged the LEAD Project Africa ‘Man of the Year’ for 2017.
Governor Ahmed beat President, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Governors Willie Obiano of Anambra and Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State to emerge winner in the category at the 9th edition of the annual award and lecture series
The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Alhaji Mahmud Babtunde Ajeigbe received the award on behalf of the Governor at the awards ceremony held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, Friday night.
LEAD Man of The Year is the highest category of award in the LEAD Project Africa which honors a trailblazing personality that has made the greatest impact on people through leadership excellence, enterprise initiatives, employment creations leading to advancement of industry and the development of Africa economy, according to the organisers.
Among members of the panel of judges and advisory board of the award are Dr. Christopher Kolade (CON), former Nigerian High Commissioner to the U.K; Prof Tunde Samuel, World Bank Consultant on Development; Prof Oladapo Afolabi, Former Head of Service of Federation, and Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and Director of World Bank.
Others are Dr. Frank S. Udemba Jacobs (MON) – MAN, President; Mr Kyari Abba Bukar, Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group; Prof Abigail Ogwuezzy, Unilag’s First Female Professor of Mass Communication; Alhaji G.B. Kankanrufi, DG Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, DG, Unilag FM.
The organisers stated that Governor Ahmed was shortlisted for the award based on his Agricultural initiatives and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) reforms of his administration, which have contributed to the development of Kwara State.
In his reaction, Ahmed appreciated the award organisers and stated his comment to make Kwara State better.
He said that the award will serve as a catalyst for better performance and delivery of good governance in the state.
The Governor noted that in the face of the dwindling national economy, the IGR reform of his administration has enabled the State government to meet its obligations through provision of infrastructural facilities and regular payment of workers’ salaries.
