Above: (from left) the Dean of Anglican Church of Nigeria; the Primate of the Anglican Church, Most Reverend (Dr.) Ndukuba,; Representative of Governor Zulum, Borno State Head of Service, Mr. Simon Malgwi, holding the award plaque; wife of the Primate; two other representatives of the Borno Government; and the Anglican Bishop of Maiduguri. Photo Below is a cross-section at the meeting and award ceremony.
No less than 20 archbishops and 144 bishops witnessed an award ceremony by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, on Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, for courage and purposeful leadership.
Hundreds of other reverends on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, witnessed the “prestigious award for courageous and purposeful leadership in challenging times”, by the head of the Anglican church in the country, Most Reverend Dr. Henry Ndukuba.
Ndukuba, the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the church, presented the award to Borno State’s Head of Service, Barrister Simon Malgwi, who represented Governor Zulum at St Andrews Anglican Church at Rumuobiokani in Port Harcourt. Incidentally, Malgwi is the first Christian in Borno’s history to be appointed Head of Service (HoS). He was appointed by Zulum in November, 2019.
Zulum’s award, among others, is one of the main events at the Anglican Communion’s bi-annual meeting of its “Standing Committee”, attended by Bishops, and delegates from the 165 dioceses of the Church of Nigeria.
Primate Ndukuba said Professor Zulum has distinguished himself in less than three years of becoming Borno’s Governor.
His words: “This award supersedes religion. We are tired of leaders that are not responsible and that is why we the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion deemed it fit to honour those who have excellently proven themselves worthy in serving their people: Our intentions are to bring to the fore the selfless service of leaders in such a trying time and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State stands out.
“Professor Babagana Zulum is a true leader, worthy of emulation and we are proud to have him among leaders in the country. He has been attacked severally while discharging his duties but he continued to show zeal and passion to bring hope to the state that’s suffered 12 year insurgency. We pray God to continue to guide, protect, bless and uplift Professor Babagana Zulum now and always”.
The governor thanked the Anglican Communion for the award, which he said, came to him as a pleasant surprise.
“I have received several awards but this one is very special because it came from clergy and it came from a church to one that is not a christian and your decision speaks volume of the objectivity and sincerity of purpose of the award. I very much cherish and value this award”, Zulum said through Malgwi.
Among those on the Borno government entourage were the state’s Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Mr Nuhu Clark; Special Adviser on Community Relations, Mr Kester Ogualili; and Senior Special Assistant on Youths and Jobs Creation, Mr Christopher Akaba.