Mark, Akunyili, Ndukwe Win Leadership Icon Award

The trio of Senator David Mark, the Senate president, Professor Dora Akunyili, Minister of Information and Communications, and Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, were recognized for their contributions to leadership in Nigeria at the 2nd Edition of the National Daily Award and Lecture series which held in Lagos. The Nigerian Communications Commission was also crowned as the Government Parastatal of the Year by the organizers.
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo State, was crowned as the National Daily man of the Year 2008. He was represented at the ceremonies. Engr. Ndukwe was the National Daily Man of the Year 2007. Senator Mark, who was represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Senator Ayogu Eze, was crowned for variously impacting on the lives of Nigerians through several public offices he has held, while Professor Akunyili, an intellectual Amazon has received innumerable national and international awards for excellence in service to humanity, most especially with her exploits at Nafdac.
For Engr. Ndukwe, the organizers said “under his tenure, the Nigerian Communications Commission has witnessed tremendous growth and transformation, earning a reputation as a transparent and an open agency of government, with a major contribution to economic growth while entrenching effective leadership.
The Ndukwe-led NCC also earned the Government Parastatal of the Year because “in 2008, the Commission achieved remarkable breakthroughs in many facets of the telecommunications industry that made the Nigerian telecom industry the fastest growing in the world”.
Professor Akunyili who doubled as the special guest speaker at the event, highlighted the importance of the programme of rebranding Nigeria and the need for all hands to be on deck to achieve this so that the real values of the nation can be showcased and expressed. She called on the media to partake with the Ministry in making Nigeria great.
Several individuals cutting across all disciplines, who have distinguished themselves, were also honoured at the event, including Ambassador Segun Olusola, Mr. Emeka Mba, director general of National Film and Video Censors Board, Patience Ozokwo, Nollywood Artist, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, chief executive officer, Intercontinental bank, and some corporate organizations.