The Time Africa International Magazine presented Delta State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Mr. Anthony C. Nwokolobia with African Gold Medal of Honour for distinguished service. The award stems from the magazine’s stance of encouraging Africans to engage in social upliftment of the continent. Award is conferred to an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contribution/s resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one department of the government;
Former recipients of the award were Africans who have initiated numerous social-upliftment programmes in their countries of the continents.
The new awardee, Nwokolobia, is described as quiet and unassuming and is known for his philanthropy and selfless service to Nigeria. He continues to serve in spaces where the development of leadership of young Africans is a key competency; he has a deep passion for education and has been involved in the establishment of highly successful institutions.
Nwokolobia, a career civil servant and a trained human resource personality, worked at a number of departments, including the Personnel Officer II – Directorate of Establishments and Pensions 1992 – 1995; Personnel Officer I – Bureau of Special Duties Governor’s Office (1995-1998); Senior Personnel Officer – Office of Head of Civil Service (Public Service Office 1999-2001); Principal Personnel Officer – Ministry of Environment (Personnel Department 2001); Asst. Chief Admin Officer – Ministry of Water Resources Development (Planning Research and Statistics Department (2001-2005); Director – Office of the Chief of Staff Government House (2005-2017); Director/Liaison Officer, Delta State Government Liaison Office Lagos; Human Resources Development Officer, Delta State SPCU, European Union Assisted Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (2006-2015) and now the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Higher Education, Delta State.
He holds Bsc (Hons) Political Science from Bendel State University Ekpoma (Ambrose Alli University) and MSc from the prestigious University of Benin, Benin City. In furtherance, he was a scholar several of international courses, such as Executive Strategic Management by Netwas in Nairobi Kenya, RiPA in London and Advanced Leadership Development in Baitimore USA. He also has a distinction in 7-Weekend ASCON Programme for Senior Civil Servants in the course of his distinguished career in the State Civil service.
To be nominated for this prestigious award, the nominee should reflect relevant meritorious or outstanding contributions to public life, or represent a significant benefit to society at large.
The Editor-In-Chief, Chidipeters Okorie, presenting the Award on behalf of the Board and Management of Time Africa Magazine, said, “The Time Africa International Magazine is an Africa news media that has been at the forefront of Africa’s historic transformation, playing a leading and unique media role in helping to build an equitable and dynamic continent.”
He said Nwokolobia is a global citizen with an illustrious civil service record, who is highly respected in public service circles.