By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has been nominated to serve as the special guest of honor and keynote speaker at the 5th edition of the annual Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Award Lecture, honoring the late “Zik of Africa.”
The event is scheduled for November 16, 2024, at the Zik Hall of the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja. It will focus on the theme “The Nigeria Governance Model, Prosperity, and Prospects,” according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Abdurrahman Bundi.
This was contained in a nomination letter sent to Governor Zulum, titled “Request to be our special guest and keynote speaker at this year’s 5th edition of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Annual Award Lecture.”
In the letter, Dr. Chief Chineme Onyeke, Director-General of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Lecture/Merit Award, stated that the lecture series aims to promote national integration and unity, as espoused by Zik, and to recognize outstanding Nigerians and institutions.
Part of the letter reads, “With utmost respect, Your Excellency, we invite you to be our Special Guest and Keynote Speaker at this year’s 5th edition of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Award Lectures, organized annually to honor and celebrate the foremost Pan-Africanist and the First Indigenous President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, GCFR, Owelle of Onitsha.”
The letter further noted, “Sir, in the objective judgment of the NEC and BoT, you are considered one of the most important transformational governors not only in Borno State but across the entire country. It is, therefore, our honor and privilege to nominate Your Excellency for the Keynote Speech.”
“We eagerly look forward to welcoming Your Excellency, along with your government officials, friends, and political associates, at the award ceremony. May we, with utmost humility, recall that Your Excellency received our award on Security Management about two years ago,” the letter added.
It is also worth noting that Governor Zulum is set to feature as a lead speaker at the Qatar Security Conference in Doha this December.
