Governor Akpabio, others bag Defence Academy Award

Source: huhuonline.com

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio and four other eminent Nigerians have been slated for the conferment of Honourary Doctorate degrees by the Nigerian Defence Academy on September 17, 2011 during the 22 nd Convocation

 Ceremony of the institution.
The Institution in a letter to the Governor signed by the Commandant, Major General Emeka Onwuamaegbu, listed the other honourees as the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Abubakar Sa'ad111, former Minister and Senator, Professor Jibril Muhammad Aminu, Minister for Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, and the National Security Adviser, General Owoye Andrew Azazi (rtd).

The letter said Governor Akpabio and the others would be honoured for 2011 because they have distinguished themselves in 'various fields of human endeavour and have contributed significantly to the growth of our dear country.'

According to the letter, 'The NDA recognizes your numerous achievements in public service, first as Commissioner in three different key ministries of Akwa Ibom State between 2002 and 2006, resulting in the conferment of several awards on Your Excellency.

'These include, among others, the most outstanding Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, AIT/Ray Power Award for Excellence in Local Government Administration/Reforms and Man of the Year Award by the Niger Delta Leadership Award Forum.

'Only recently, the United States Congress recognizing your landmark achievements also added to your numerous deserved awards. Your Excellency's ascendancy to the Governorship of Akwa Ibom State since May 2007 has been a blessing, as the State continues to witness tremendous political and socio-economic transformation as evidenced by the huge development strides  across the land,' the Commandant said.

The letter said based on the unprecedented achievement of Governor Akpabio, the elite Military Institution had selected him for the award of Doctor of Management Science (Honoris Causa) degree by the NDA during the convocation ceremony on September 17, 2011. He had also bagged the Gold Humanitarian Services Award by the Republic of Benin.

It would be recalled that Governor Akpabio had earlier bagged honourary doctorate degress from the University of Calabar, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, University of Uyo and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State. He is also a fellow of Federal Polytechnic Kazaure and College of Education, Bichi.

These are in addition to other national media awards including National Daily Man of the Year Award 2009 and 2010, Daily Independent Man of the Year 2009, Tribune Governor of the Year 2010, ThisDay Emerging Tiger award 2009, Ben Tv International Most Outstanding Governor in infrastructural development award 2009 among others.

 
Aniekan Umanah
Hon. Commissioner