Abayomi Susan
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has received the ZIK International Peace and Leadership Award in Ghana in recognition of what the organisers described as his administration’s achievements in public sector leadership and economic reforms.
Lawal was honoured at the seventh ZIK International Peace and Leadership Award ceremony held on Friday at the British Council in Accra, Ghana.
The event also featured a lecture themed, “Leadership, Peace, and Regional Integration: Advancing Africa’s Development in a Changing Global Order,” which brought together participants to discuss leadership and development across the continent.
According to the organisers, Lawal was selected for the award based, among other considerations, on his administration’s record in public sector leadership and economic reforms in Zamfara State.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ZIK Pan-African Award, His Royal Highness Professor Echefuna R.G. Onyeabadi, said the award was established to recognise individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the development and service of their people.
Receiving the honour, Governor Lawal dedicated the award to the people of Zamfara State, saying the recognition would encourage his administration to intensify its efforts to transform the state.
“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,” Lawal said.
The governor highlighted some of the projects and reforms undertaken by his administration, including urban renewal initiatives, the construction of a new airport and reforms in security, education, healthcare and the civil service.
Lawal described the airport project as particularly significant, noting that Zamfara had not benefited from such infrastructure for more than three decades since the state was created.
“We have made great strides in security, civil service reform, education, health and other sectors,” the governor added.
He expressed appreciation to the organisers for the recognition, saying the award would further motivate him to increase his efforts towards improving the lives of residents of Zamfara State.
“It means a lot to me and will motivate me to do even more for my people. Zamfara is on the rise,” Lawal said.
