Gov Lawal receives ZIK Pan-African Leadership Award in Ghana

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has received the ZIK International Peace and Leadership Award in recognition of his administration’s achievements in public sector leadership, economic reforms and development initiatives in the state.

The award was presented to the governor during the 7th ZIK International Peace and Leadership Award ceremony held on Friday at the British Council in Accra, Ghana.

The event featured a lecture themed, “Leadership, Peace, and Regional Integration: Advancing Africa’s Development in a Changing Global Order.”

The organisers said Lawal was selected for the honour based on his administration’s significant progress in public sector leadership and economic reforms since assuming office.

The Board of Trustees and Governing Council of the ZIK Pan-African Award said the honour was designed to recognise individuals whose leadership and public service had made meaningful contributions to the wellbeing and development of their people.

Speaking after receiving the award, Mr Lawal dedicated the honour to the people of Zamfara State, saying it would further motivate his administration to intensify its efforts to rebuild the state and improve the lives of its residents.

“This award is dedicated to all the people of Zamfara State. My administration has been working tirelessly to ensure the state can compete with any other in Nigeria.

“That was our promise, and we have surpassed expectations in just three years,” the governor said.

Mr Lawal said his administration had implemented a number of projects and reforms across key sectors as part of its efforts to transform Zamfara and reposition the state for sustainable development.

He specifically cited urban renewal initiatives and the construction of what he described as a modern, state-of-the-art airport as some of the major infrastructure projects undertaken by his administration.

“My administration has transformed Zamfara through urban renewal initiatives; we constructed a modern, state-of-the-art airport, something that had not existed for over 30 years since the state’s founding,” he said.

The governor also highlighted what he described as significant progress in security, civil service reform, education and healthcare, among other sectors.

“We have made great strides in security, civil service reform, education, health, and other sectors,” Mr Lawal said.

He expressed appreciation to the organisers of the annual lecture and award for recognising the efforts of his administration, describing the honour as a source of encouragement to do more for the people of Zamfara.

“I appreciate the organisers of this annual lecture and award. It means a lot to me and will motivate me to do even more for my people. Zamfara is on the rise,” he said.

The governor’s award comes amid his administration’s efforts to address the security challenges confronting Zamfara while simultaneously pursuing infrastructure development and institutional reforms.

The ZIK Pan-African Award, according to its organisers, seeks to celebrate individuals whose leadership, commitment to peace and contributions to public service align with the ideals of Africa’s development and regional integration.

Also honoured at the ceremony was Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi A. Sule, who received an award for his contributions to public service and sustainable development.

The ceremony brought together political leaders, public officials and other stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana to discuss leadership, peace and regional integration and their implications for Africa’s development.