Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state, has won the 2019 Zik prize for leadership in the state. The leadership prize winning, becomes the first Governor to clinch such award; during his first term in office. Announcing the prize Thursday at a zoom press conference, Prof. Pat Utomi disclosed; “Prof. Zulum is a revolutionary Governor, who has become one of Nigeria’s most accomplished leaders within a short period of time. “He was of eight winners of the annual award,” adding that the formal presentation is slated for December 6, 2020. According to him, Prof. Zulum was honoured for good governance, accountability and transparency within a short period of administration. He said the prize winning award were made on behalf of an advisory board of public policy research and analysis centre (PPRAC), led by Prof. Jubril Aminu, a former minister and senator. The board has also Prince Emeka Obasi as executive secretary while members comprise Prof. George Obiozor, Chief Marc Obara, Chief Tola Adeniyi, Alhaji Abdulazeez Udeh and Pat Utomi. Utomi listed Senate President Ahmed Lawan, SGF Boss Mustapha, Dr Stella Okolli, Prof Umar Dambatta, Kennedy Nduka as winners in various categories of public service, business and professional leadership. He also announced Nigeria’s 36 Governors for good governance. They include Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, another governor from the southeast in same ‘good governance’ category with Prof. Zulum of Borno state as winners. Utomi however took longer time to pay tribute to governor Zulum, stating that; “Governor’s performance has made him the toast of Nigerians across the country. Governors who have won in previous years did so during second term in office. The Zik prize for leadership has become one of Nigeria’s prestigious awards given the credibility of advisory board members of the PPRAC. The Board members are notable personalities; with background from the academia.
