Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka was yesterday unveiled as the recipient of the 2012 maiden award of the Obafemi Awolowo prize for leadership.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held in Gbagada area of Lagos , the former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku , who is the chairman , Selection Committee of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership said Soyinka was unanimously selected by the committee as the recipient of the award.
According to him, after very careful consideration, the selection committee came to the conclusion that of all the nominees presented before it, Soyinka was the most qualified.
Anyaoku emphasised that,” the prize consists of a medal, a certificate and a plaque.
The emphasis is on the intrinsic value of the award , which , in itself , not only confers considerably honour and recognition , but also serves as a strong incentive for the pursuit of excellence in leadership and good governance in the country.
“The nominees for the prize are expected to have demonstrated to a substantial degree, the attributes considered to have characterised Chief Awolowo’s leadership style , which include integrity, credibility, discipline, courage , selflessness , accountability , tenacity of purpose, visionary and people –centred leadership and good governance in Nigeria.”
He said the committee which had Justice Muhammadu Uwais , Professor Akin Mabogunje , Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo , Olorogun Felix Ibru, Bishop Mathew Kukah and Professor Anya 0. Anya, among others as members would formerly confer the award on Soyinka on March 6th ,2013.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Dr. Tokunbo Dosunmu Awolowo said the dearth of good leadership necessitated the conferment of the award to encourage those at the helm of affairs to live above board in the discharge of their duties.