The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru was on Tuesday evening at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja bestowed with the Fidelity to Democracy Award at the Songs of Nigeria Festival (SONIFES) 2024 organised by the National Council of Arts and Culture in collaboration Afro Cultour Group.
The event which was part of activities marking the 25 years of democracy in Nigeria was chaired by Elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information and Culture, Rtd. Gen IBM Haruna, OFR.
The keynote address was delivered by former minister of Foreign Affairs and international scholar, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi.
According to the organisers of the event, Governor Nwifuru was the only governor chosen from among his colleague governors for the awards because of his outstanding achievements in the area of human capital development within one year of assuming office.
Receiving the award on behalf of the governor, Senator Kenneth Eze who represented Governor Nwifuru while thanking the organisers noted that the award was fitting because Governor Nwifuru has contributed immensely to the sustenance and development of democracy in Nigeria.
According to Senator Eze, “Governor Nwifuru has contributed immensely to the stablisation of democracy in Nigeria. He served three tenures in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and for two terms he served as the Speaker of the House before he was overwhelmingly elected the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State in 2023.
“Governor Nwifuru through his main policy thrust captured under the mantra of “Peoples Chatter of Needs” has transferred power back to the people as a democrat.”
Also eulogizing the governor, a co-awardee, the first Military Administrator of Rivers State, Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff said that Governor Nwifuru deserved the award as democracy was about the people and the governor has made the people the centre of his policies and administration.
Earlier in her welcome address, the President of SONIFES 2024, Dr. Elizabeth Ben-Iheanacho said that the event was primarily organised to “celebrate a great milestone in our national democratic journey.”
Congratulating the awardees Dr. Ben-Ihanacho said that “I specially congratulate our honourees today for making our shortlist after a painstaking and rigorous selection exercise.”
Other awardees include the Chief of Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, former Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odoh among other outstanding Nigerians.
Several Ebonyians resident in the FCT from all walks of life accompanied Sen. Kenneth Eze to receive the award on behalf of Govenor Nwifuru.