PRESS RELEASE
On behalf of the Advisory board of the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), it is my pleasure to formally announce recipients of the combined Year 2021/2022 Zik Prize in Leadership Awards.
Since its institution in 1995 by PPRAC in honour of the first President of Nigeria and Commander of the Armed Forces, the late Rt. Honourable Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, it has always recognized and encouraged outstanding leadership on the African Continent and in the Diaspora.
Held every year, it was put on hold last year as a mark of respect following the passage of two members of the Advisory Board; Prince Emeka Obasi erstwhile Executive Secretary and Prof George Obiozor in March and December, 2022. The reason, this edition is a combination of winners across year 2021 and 2022.
We also acknowledge fellow Board members who over these 27 years have shown uncommon zeal and commitment to building and encouraging true leadership across the face of the continent; and of course, to members of the fourth estate of the realm for your unflinching and peerless support.
A cursory look across our continent shows that the issue of leadership remains a critical challenge in our body polity. We fully understand this and thus remain committed to this noble venture of encouraging and nurturing the most beneficial leadership that can be found on the continent as an embodiment of the leadership values of the Great Zik of Africa in whose honour this award was instituted.
After our usual rigorous review process, the advisory board now announce winners of the combined Year 2021/22 Zik Prize winners in accordance with their corresponding Award categories:
i. Year 2021/22 Zik Prize in Political Leadership – H.E Hakainde Hichilema, President, Republic of Zambia.
ii. Year 2021/2022 Zik Prize in Professional Leadership – Professor Benedict Okey Oramah, President AFREXIM Bank
iii. Professor Benedict Okey Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)
iv. Year 2021/2022 Zik Prize in Good Governance – H.E Godwin Obaseki, Executive Governor of Edo State.
v. Year 2021/22 Zik Prize in Entrepreneurial Leadership – Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, MON, CON, Chairman, SIFAX Group
vi. Year 2021/2022 Zik Prize in Humanitarian Leadership – H.E Hajiya Aisha Atiku Baguda.
Some Previous Winners:
Past recipients of the Zik Prize include notable leaders like; President J.J. Rawlings, President Nwalimu Julius Nyerere, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, President Sam Nujoma, Dr. Nelson Mandela, President John Agyekum Kufuor, Dr Pius Okigbo, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Otunba Subomi Balogun, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Alhaji Ahmed Joda and Dr Akinwumi Adesina.
The formal presentation ceremony of the Zik Prize Awards, usually a celebratory event, will hold on Sunday 19th November, 2023 at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.
Thank you
Professor Pat Utomi
Head, Selection Committee
