Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and his conglomerate, Dangote Group, have been nominated for Nigeria’s Pride Awards being organized by African Leadership Scorecard Magazine, in collaboration with THE BEAUTIES OF NIGERIA TV, scheduled for November 19, in Abuja.

The former president is to be honured with the ‘Outstanding Global Peace and Reconciliation Icon of the Decade’ while Dangote, a business mogul who is also the richest black man on earth is to receive ‘Africa’s Brightest Shining Star of the Century’ award with the Dangote Group also to be crowned as the ‘Chief Cornerstone of Businesses in Africa.”

Also to be honoured are six state governors- Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra; Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno; Dr. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; Senator Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Senator Ademola Adeleke of Osun and Senator Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River.

Two serving Ministers Barrister Nyesom Wike of FCT and Dr. Tijani Bosun, Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy are to be honoured alongside Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; senators Aliyu Wamakko and Ned Nwoko; Deputy House of Reps Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, CEO of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, Ooni of Ife, Oba Dr. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; MD/CEO of Zenith Bank, Barrister Dame Adaora Umeoji; Jaiz Bank, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, CEO of PTAD, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara; Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, CEO of NHRC; Human Rights Lawyer, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, Hon. Ali Isa; CEO of Brittainia-U Group, Mrs. Catherine Uju Ifejika, former Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan; award-winning singer Davido and Nollywood actress, Ruth Kadiri.

Other nominees are Kano Airport cleaner, Auwal Dankode and hotel worker, Ngozi Kekwaru, among other personalities, some federal agencies and corporate organisations.

In a statement Thursday signed on behalf of the Organising Committee, Facilitator of the awards, Bonaventure Phillips Melah, who is also the Publisher/CEO of African Leadership Scorecard Magazine/Founder of the Beauties of Nigeria TV, said although Nigeria is a country in need of quality leadership, the few among us, who are doing well need to be celebrated as a way of encouraging them to do more while motivating others to wake up.

According to the statement, since Dr. Goodluck Jonathan left office as the 14th President of Nigeria, he has been involved in citizen’s diplomacy, waging peace across Africa and the world, which has earned him recognition as Africa’s fore-most statesman who is seen, not only as an icon of peace and reconciliation but also an inspiration to the present and future generations, while at the same time, standing in the gap for Nigeria and helping to positively impact the country’s global perspective.

On Dangote, the Award Organising Committee said the successful takeoff of the Dangote Refinery, recoginsed as the largest single-train refinery in the world with the capacity of 650,000 barrels per day which also produces diesel, aviation fuel and other products, is a landmark achievement unprecedented in the history o Africa.

Bonaventure Melah said the NAHCO and Hotel workers were nominated to be honoured for finding $10,000 and $70,000, respectively, at their work places and returned the money to the owners and described them as the real faces of the Nigeria and also praised multiple award-winning singer David Adeleke, also known as Davido, for uplifting hundreds of upcoming musicians and other artists, the same with Ruth Kadiri.

Other members of the Awards Organising Committee are Mr. Ahaziah Suleiman (Former Executive Director, Voice of Nigeria), Chairman; Hajia Medina Dauda-Nadabo, (Bureau Coordinator/Prpgrammes Officer, Voice of America, VOA), Secretary; Victorson Agbenson (Deputy Director News, FRCN), Omotola Oleyede, Chudi Brass a Media Expert and Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed (Ex-Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Kaduna/Katsina/Kano Zone).

See Full List of Nominees and Categories

1. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan- Outstanding Global Peace and Reconciliation Icon of the Decade
2. Alhaji Aliko Dangote/Dangote Group- Africa’s Brightest Shining Star of the Century.’
3. Dangote Group- ‘Chief Cornerstone of Businesses in Africa.”
4. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo- Best Governor on Empowerment
5. Dr. Dauda Lawal- Best Governor on Urban Renewal
6. Prof. Babagana Zulum- Most People-Oriented Governor
7. Senator Bala Mohammed- Best Governor on Urban Transformation
8. Sen. Bassey Edet Otu- Best Governor on Agric/Food Security
9. Sen. Ademola Adeleke- Best Governor Infrastructure
10. FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike- Overall Best Nigerian Minister.
11. Communications Minister, Bosun Tijani- Outstanding Minister of the Year
12. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa- Shield of the Nation
13. Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko- Protector of the Environment.
14. Senator Aliyu Wamakko- Champion of Poverty Eradication.
15. Ooni of Ife- Exemplary Custodian of African Values
16. Retired Justice Mariam Aloma Muktar- Mother of Justice in Nigeria
17. Justice Mary Odili- Pillar of Truth and Justice
18. Mrs. Uju Ihejrika- Most Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year
19. Chief Mike Ozekhome- Most Fearless Advocate
20. Amb. John Metchie- Prince of Peace and Reconciliation
21. Mrs. Adaora Umeoji-Light of the Girl-Child
22. Hon. Benjamin Kalu- Champion of Equity
23. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara
24. Hon. Ali Isa- B.C Grassroots Empowerment Lawmaker
25. Dr. Chioma Ejikeme- Pensioners’ Angel
26. Chief Nduka Obiagbena- Nigeria’s Media Pathfinder
27. Dr. Tony Ojukwu- Champion of Human Rights
28. Dr. Yemi Esan- Excellent Service to the Nation
29. Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC- Most Innovative Agency
30. Jaiz Bank- Most People-Oriented Bank
31. Social Insurance Trust Funds, NSITF- Employee Protector-In-Chief
32. Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund- Most Impressive Institutional Funding Agency of the Year
33. Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC- Most Compliant Agency on International Best Practices
34. Rural Electrification Agency, REA- Most Improved Service Delivery Agency
35. PTAD- Best Reforms/ICT Compliance Agency
36. NHRC- Most Committed Agency of the Year.
37. David Adeleke (Davido)- Outstanding Humanity Entertainment Artist of the Year.
38. Ruth Kadiri- Inspirational Actress of the Year
39. Auwal Dankode- Hope of the Future Award- Male
40. Ngozi Kekwara- Hope of the Future Award (Female).