President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum are among the top Nigerian leaders expected to grace this year’s Zik Annual Awards Lecture.
The event, scheduled to take place on November 16 at the Nicon Luxury Hotel Conference Hall in Abuja, will see President Tinubu serving as the Special Guest of Honour, while General Abdulsalami Abubakar will chair the occasion. Professor Zulum will be the keynote speaker, delivering a critical address at the prestigious gathering.
In a statement, the Director-General of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Awards Lecture, Chief Chineme Onyeke, revealed that the event will attract high-profile personalities, including former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, who has been named the “Father of the Day.” The event will also host a diverse array of political leaders, including several state governors, members of the National Assembly, and Federal Ministers who are expected as guests of honour.
Among the governors expected to attend are: Professor Babagana Zulum (Borno State), Sim Fubara (Rivers State), Senator Hope Uzodimma (Imo State), Engineer Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa State), Peter Ndubuisi Mbah (Enugu State) and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger State).
Each governor will receive different categories of the Zik Awards for their outstanding contributions to national development. The awards ceremony will also recognize distinguished Federal Ministers, with Senator Dave Umahi, the Honourable Minister of Works, topping the list of honorees.
Chief Onyeke highlighted the significance of the annual lecture, which coincides with the birthday of Nigeria’s nationalist leader and statesman, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, fondly known as the “Great Zik of Africa.” According to Onyeke, the lecture series serves as a platform for prominent Nigerians to deliberate on the nation’s pressing issues, with a focus on fostering unity and promoting a shared national vision.
“The Zik Annual Awards Lecture has, over the years, become a rallying point for examining Nigeria’s challenges and seeking pathways for collective progress,” Onyeke stated. “This year’s lecture, the fifth in the series, aims to build a strong consensus on the need for Nigerians to prioritize the nation’s interests above individual ambitions, embodying the spirit of selflessness that defined Dr. Azikiwe’s life.”
Chief Onyeke called on all Nigerians to embrace the vision of a united and harmonious nation, reflecting the ideals championed by Dr. Azikiwe. He expressed hope that the event will inspire a renewed commitment to the core values of unity, justice, and brotherhood, emphasizing that “though tribe and tongue may differ, Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity and enduring sense of community.”
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