Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has dedicated his gold award in public service presented to him by ThisNigeria newspaper to the staff of the commission and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Yakubu received the award on Wednesday at the newspaper’s inaugural lecture and gold prize ceremony held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja in recognition of his efforts to reposition the country’s electoral system for free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections despite daunting challenges.
The newspaper also honoured Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for good governance, and the registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Ishaq Oloyede, for his contribution to the education sector.
A statement by Yakubu’s chief press secretary Rotimi Oyekanmi quoted the INEC chairman as saying, “This recognition is dedicated to all the hardworking staff of INEC. But I would also like to dedicate this to all those who have constructively criticized the Commission. We cherish constructive criticisms. As a teacher all my life, I know that there can’t be new knowledge; there can’t be progress without constructive criticisms.
“I would like to recognize the role of the National Peace Committee (NPC), chaired by our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. But let me also recognize a category of Nigerians that are hardly recognized. Yet, they play a very, very critical role in conducting elections in the country. I am not referring to the security agencies that also play a very good role. I am not referring to other stakeholders – political parties, the media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), but I am referring to election duty staff: those young Nigerians on national service. I have said it over and over again that you (National Youth Service Corps members) are among the most educated, the most hardworking, the most readily available election duty staff in Nigeria. We cannot do without you.”
Catholic bishop of Sokoto Diocese Mattew Kukah delivered a lecture on ‘National cohesion for sustainable growth and progress’.
Senior advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome and former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Kwara State Issa Aremu were the discussants. A former director-general of the Nigerian Television Authority Tonnie Iredia moderated the discussion.
