The Global Initiative For Leadership Success has described Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State as a politician having similar leadership qualities with former late Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The group which is the organizer of the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Leadership Awards, stated this while conferring a leadership award on Governor Alia in Abuja for his exceptional performance in leading the food basket State.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, in a statement said, the Benue State leader emerged as one of the recipients of the “1st President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Leadership Awards”.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the organization, General AB Mamma (rtd), said that, “the leadership qualities in governance of the late President Musa Yar’Adua were sterling, mercurial and legendary, whereby his administration grew the economy, stabilized the polity and held the Nation together, while rekindling the hope of Nigerians in their country.”
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According to the statement, General Mamma. explained that”it was some of the shared qualities that prompted them to confer Governor Alia and other selected individuals with the Leadership award.”
General Mamma explained that issues of leadership, particularly with regards to moral and ethical leadership and governance and it’s consequences on humanity, has remained the bane of leadership all over the world, which were issues that would be discussed in the conference.
In his response at the ceremony, Governor Alia thanked the organizers for the award and the recognition given him.
He said even though leadership is complex, the virtues of honesty and integrity of Late President Musa Yar’Adua, and the role he played in shaping and defining good governance in the country remains indelible.
The Governor said aside his calling as a Priest, he was also a Bio-medical ethicist, which places premium on leadership and ethics, saying it has always helped him to work with that inner voice which always calls for the right thing to be done at all times.
Governor Alia called for good governance and urged for a shift of perception and position, explaining that one’s perception affects his position to make a paradigm shift, saying an optimistic perception will give rise to a great and positive move for the progress and development of the state and nation at large.
He said he was hopeful that as late president Musa Yar’Adua was being celebrated today, there was a promise of a greater future ahead because Nigeria holds every great dream and assurance for all those who seek for a good foundation for the nation.
While accepting that challenges existed in nation building, he called on all to join hands together to push the state and nation forward.
He described the award as an incentive for him to do more in good governance, transparency and accountability for the state and nation, thanking the good people of Benue State for giving him the opportunity to serve them.
Also speaking at the occasion, former Military Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, the CEO Orascom properties Ltd, Alh. Majeed Dahiru, both extolled the leadership qualities of Late president Musa Yar’Adua, calling for emulation of his virtues.
The Governor was awarded alongside Gen Yakubu Gowon, former Military Head of State, Chief Joseph Akaagerger, former military Governor of Katsina State, Sen.Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, amongst other prominent personalities.
