Kogi Health Ministry Rated As Least Corrupt MDAs in Nigeria, Commissioner Bags Leadership Compliance Award

 

By Stephen Adeleye

An Anti-corruption NGO, the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO) has honoured Kogi State Ministry of Health with 'Certificate of Credence' for being rated as the least amongst 100 highly rated most ethically responsible and least corrupt States' MDAs in Nigeria.

The Centre also conferred an Ethical Leadership/Conduct Compliance Award on the Kogi Health Commissioner, Dr Saka Haruna Audu, and honoured him with an Integrity Icon of Nigeria (I.I.O.N) in public conduct.

 Speaking during the Awards' presentation in Lokoja, the Executive Director of CESVO, Prince Salih Musa Yakubu, said after the conduct of multisectoral independent secret assessment excercise in 500 States' own MDAs in Nigeria by the NGO, Kogi Ministry of Health emerged the least corrupt amongst the top 10 States' Ministries of Health in Nigeria. 

Yakubu added that the NGO administered questionnairs, conducted opinion polls, interviewed informants, project sites visitation and budget tracking mechanism between March 2020 and December 2021.

''The Kogi State Ministry of Health was not just found to be most ethically responsible MDAs, but also the least corrupt ministries among the top 10 States' Ministries of Health out of 100 States' MDAs found to be in tandem with our ethical leadership principles based on our independent secret assessment exercise'', he said.

According to him, the Kogi Ministry of Health was able to attain the feat due to the constant efforts of the Commissioner and his team in ensuring that the right things are done at all times.

He, therefore urged the ministry to maintain such good records, adding that if they derailed, the Centre would not hesitate to expose them to the anti-corruption agencies.

He further explained that the Commissioner was honoured with the I.I.ON award certificate having passed the Centre's ethical conduct leadership integrity test as an ethically upright political office holder in Nigeria.

 

He stressed that the commissioner was rewarded for being one of those making aggressive move to change the narrative of mis-governance and corruption in Nigeria.

Yakubu stressed that corruption remained the major problems hindering the progress of any society which according to him, informed CESVO's decision to come up with strategy towards exposing corrupt leaders and equally reward those who refused to be compromised in any way. 

In his response, the Commissioner said that the Kogi State Ministry of Health was able to attain the great feat due to the unflinching support and backing of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, in performing their duties.

Audu appreciated the management and staff of the ministry who had worked day and night with him to enable the ministry to attain the great feat. 

The commissioner dedicated the award to the Governor, and promised that the ministry would continue to discharge their responsibility with the fear of God and ensuring quality healthcare service delivery to the good people of Kogi State.

''I really want appreciate the team that have worked day and night with me to attain where we are today. 

''I dedicated the award to His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, who has given me the opportunity to serve the good people of Kogi State.

''I pray that God Almighty will continue to uplift His Excellency and grant him all his heart desires in the nearest future.

He thanked the CESVO for the award and assured them the determination and commitment of the Governor to ensuring that the citizens of Kogi State continually have access to quality healthcare service delivery.

The Centre also honoured the Permanent Secretary, and some directors in the ministry with Professional Ethics Compliance Award 2021 for being servicom compliance and dedication to duty

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Bar. Paul Edeh, Masai Ujiri, Shina Phillips to receive 2021 Sportivation Media Awards

All is set for the 2021 edition of Sportivation Media Awards which is billed to hold in Nigeria's entertainment and showbiz capital, Lagos, on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

Organised by Sportivation Media, a sports media, events and broadcast outfit, the award recognises and celebrates sports personalities in Nigeria and beyond for their spectacular and exceptional performance in chosen sporting endeavour and contributions to the sport.

The CEO of Sportivation Media International, Mr. Taiwo Ibrahim leads the young and enterprising company with a team of enthusiastic and creative sports journalists, broadcasters, and professionals.

This year's edition will honour six remarkable individuals who have left footnotes in the sporting world with different award categories: Sports Personality of the Year Award, Diaspora Award, Administrator of the Year Award, Special Recognition Award for Innovation, Special Recognition Award for Service to Women Football, Special Recognition Award for Contribution to Sports and Youth Development.

Masai Ujiri, the first African-born general manager of a professional sports team in America (Denver Nuggets, NBA, 2013) and first president of an NBA Team (Toronto Raports) to be born by African parents, will be presented with the Sports Personality of the Year.

Also to be awarded is Barrister Paul Edeh, the President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation, a foundation that has used sports in empowering the girl-child over the years. The RSDF is also the sole sponsor of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in the whole of Africa (The Flying Officers Cup). 

Mr Shina Philips, is the Chairman of Matchmakers Consult Group, an organisation that has been hosting the biggest Sports Award in Nigeria (The Pitch Awards) since 2013. 

 Mr Marcellinus Anyanwu, a former Arsenal Soccer School Coach in Dubai, He has also helped Nigerian players with scholarship opportunities abroad. 

Mr Chika Valentine, a Nigerian Coach based in India and highly recommended for his contribution to football in the east Asian nation. 

Samuel Dosunmu, is being rewarded for his uprightness and great support to the brand (Sportivation Media). 

Speaking on the 2021 award, the Organiser, Taiwo Ibrahim said: "the Sportivation Media Awards is aimed at rewarding excellence in the sports sector, we have diligently selected the recipients based on their contributions to youth development through sports.

"The choice of Masai Ujiri was easy because of his feat in basketball in Nigeria and Africa where he is currently on a mission to build 100 basketball courts across the continent through his 'Giants of Africa' NGO.

"Barrister Paul Edeh, has also contributed a lot to the development of women football in Nigeria; a staunch supporter of the girl child.

"Mr Shina Philips has continued to defy the odds by organising the Nigerian Ptich Awards since 2013.

"Mr Marcellinus Anyanwu, a former Arsenal Soccer School Coach in Dubai, has been flying Nigeria's flag very high in the oil rich country; he has also helped Nigerian players with scholarship opportunities.

"Mr Chika Valentine, a Nigerian coach based in India, is highly commended for his contributions to football in the east Asian nation and also gives opportunities to Nigerian players to study and play football in the country."

The prestigious event will hold at the SWAN hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Saturday, the 18th of December 2021.

32 young writers battle for prizes in ANSA World Cup

By Stephen Adeleye

A total of 32 contestants have made the final shortlist for this year's World Cup competition of the Association of Nigerian Student Authors (2021 ANSA World Cup).

A statement signed by Israel Onoruoiza, the ANSA Secretary, and made available to journalists in Lokoja, described ANSA world cup ''as a unique literary annual competition for young aspiring writers from local, national and international.''

He said that the tournament which would kick start on Friday, November 5, 2021, would last for about two months.

According to Onoruoiza, the group stage of the round-ribbon literary tournament will commence tomorrow Nov. 5, while the final would take place on Dec. 24, 2021. 

''All events shall be held online due to travel restrictions in some countries. The competition will culminate in a spectacular awards ceremony scheduled for Friday, December 31st, 2021.

''The rave-making, revolutionary international literary contest takes the format of the FIFA World Cup, hence its name. It is the first of its kind in the world; a purely innovative concept'', he said.

He stressed that the ANSA World Cup offered a ray of hope to young aspiring writers in a fast-changing world. 

''It is intended to inspire young writers and promote the spirit of healthy academic rivalry among them, to encourage young writers to pick up their pens and start writing again. 

''To help young writers discover the fun in writing, to encourage young writers to come out of their shells and tell the world their stories,'' he said

He explained that the contest idea was originally conceived to celebrate the birthday of ANSA's founder and multiple award-winning Nigerian author, Dr. Kennedy Obohwemu. 

He added: ''Writers are pitted against one another in a head-to-head multi-stage literary combat. 

''They are made to produce original and creative pieces of literature (poetry, prose, play, etc) on diverse genres within a limited time.''

He noted that the 2021 ANSA world cup would feature last year’s winner, Maymunah Kadiri, and a host of other budding writers from Africa and other parts of the globe.

According to him, the prizes to be won  are: N100,000 in cash prizes, Publicity packages for winning authors, Link to publishing deals, 10 copies of Salamatu Sule’s latest poetry collection, Orchestra of Her Last Rites;

''Other prizes are Award plaques, customised ANSA label pins, certificates and special bonuses for social media engagement.

''Members of the judging panel would include notable writers like Odoh Diego Okenyodo, Salamatu Sule, Funmi Ilori, Awele Ilusanmi and the man himself, Dr. Kennedy O. Obohwemu, among others.

''With the ANSA world cup, the entire cosmos can look forward to a spectacular celebration of the genius that today’s young writers have to offer,'' he said.

He described ANSA as ''the brainchild of multiple international award-winning Nigerian author Dr. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu. Established in 2007.

''ANSA is dedicated to instilling the culture of reading & writing among children, teenagers & younger adults.

''It provides the platform for this vulnerable population to contribute their quota to the promotion of Africa’s rich literary enterprise.'' 

End

OUK bags Chattered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria accolade

 

Former Governor of Abia State and Chief whip of the 9th Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has received an award from the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN)

The distinguished Senator was honoured with an "Honorary Fellowship Award" in Abuja. 

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu received the prestigious award on Thursday afternoon at the International Conference Centre, Abuja

Senator Uzor Kalu's giant strides during his short time in the Senate has not gone unnoticed. During this period, he has started and completed several projects, including the renovation of schools in his constituency and reconstruction of dilapidated roads 

The sports-loving Senator is also a strong voice in the Senate and his constituency can affirm that he is an icon of development

These giant strides has earned this award and deservedly so.

Ekiti FA opens voting portal for 2021 Merit Awards

Ekiti State Football Association has opened a vote portal for football lovers of the state to vote for their deserving nominees for its upcoming Merit Awards.

The Ekiti FA Merit Awards ceremony which is billed for October is geared towards celebrating individuals and organizations that were outstanding and consistent in their contributions towards the beautiful game  during the 2020/2021 football season.

Bayo Olanlege, Chairman Ekiti State FA did informed two months ago that the essence of the Merit Awards was to thank individuals and cooperate bodies whose immense contributions ensured success of the association's projects.

The portal https://voters.ekitifootball.org/ designed by Uptech has three sections, Categories, Nominees and Sponsors.

To be eligible to vote, fans must pay a token of a hundred naira (N100) to vote for a nominee in all the categories at a time.

Payment can be easily done on the portal with one's bank ATM Card (Master, Visa and Verve card).

Interestingly, one can see the results of each category and nominees under each category section on the voting page after voting.  

Recall two months ago, Olanlege set-up the Ekiti FA Merit Awards 5-man committee which is chaired by renowned football journalist, Tunde Shamsudeen.

Other members of the committee includes the Acting Secretary of the Ekiti FA, Pelumi Abiara, Ekiti FA Media Officer, Ayodeji Okunuga, Miss Faith Yusuf, member of the EKSFA's Female Football  Development Committee and Rasaq Oboirien, a former The Nation/SportingLife Sports Correspondent