Group managing director/chief executive officer, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc Kennedy Uzoka has been presented the Zik Prize for Professional Leadership.
The award was presented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha under the chairmanship of Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka at a glamorous event held on Sunday night at the Civic Centre in Lagos and organised by Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC).
Mr Uzoka was announced as the winner of the much-coveted award alongside the executive vice chairman/chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission Prof Umar Danbatta.
As he applauded the efforts of the organisers, Uzoka said: “The Late Nnamdi Azikiwe is someone to whom I accord great respect; he is an iconic African statesman (Zik of Africa as he is fondly called). I am proud to be receiving an award that was first conferred on the late premier 25 years ago. I dedicate this award to the staff of the UBA Group in all our 23 countries of operations. They really are the best.”
According to the advisory board of PPRAC, Uzoka was selected as a result of his outstanding contributions to the development and growth of the banking and financial services industry and also for an unblemished record of service as a banker of international repute.
Other winners in various categories of public service, good governance, business, and professional leadership include Senate President Ahmed Lawan; Borno Governor Babagana Zulum; Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde; SGF Mustapha and Dr. Stella Okoli.
The Zik leadership awards was instituted in 1995 in honour of the first President of Nigeria Late Nnamdi Azikiwe, primarily to encourage and nurture leadership on the African continent and in the diaspora.
