20 Outstanding Nigerians in 2010

– those who keeping the flag flying

Year 2010 was quite eventful in the history of Nigeria as a nation. Out of all, the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua really put to test our resolve to move on as a nation. The chaos that followed the demise of the President and the attendant impasse threw up President Goodluck Jonathan, while the unequivocal posture of the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido on the efforts to revive the banking sector could not go unnoticed, many other Nigerians within their own efforts and chosen field of human endeavours, continue pushing the name and glory of the country among comity of nations, in the likes of Osaze Odemwingie, Bukola Elemide ‘Asa‘ and pragmatic Yetunde Odugbesan”

TOP 20 NIGERIANS

Yetunde Odugbesan – International motivational speaker

Lamido Sanusi Lamido – Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Olusegun Mimiko – Governor, Ondo State

Dora Akunyili – Former Communications Minister

Attahiru Jega – Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission

Tuface Idibia – Artiste

Rauf Aregbesola – Governor, Osun State

Asa – Artiste

Mike Adenuga Jnr – CEO Globalcom Nigeria

Nenadi Usman – Former Finance Minister

Emmanuel Uduaghan – Governor, Delta State

Rose C. Uzoma – Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Services

Kayode Fayemi – Governor, Ekiti State

Cobhams Asuquo – Song Writer/Producer

Samson Siasia – Coach, Super Eagles of Nigeria

Adams Oshiomole – Governor, Edo State

Genevive Nnaji – Artiste

Osaze Odemwingie – Footballer

Tunde Bakare – Pastor/Politician

Yetunde Odugbesan

Young Yetunde involvement in the activities in Nigerians in Diaspora plus her undying passion for transparency, economic development, causes and means to eradicate corruption in both local and state government, especially as they affect Nigeria placed her in the front burner of discuss among Nigerian youths and elites.

Yetunde A. Odugbesan has the power to unite and inspire people by her words. For her, the passion for change, leadership and politics began at a young age. She is a Nigerian-American and an outstanding example of what it means to be a Young Leader for Change.

She is currently a graduate student at Division of Global Affairs Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she is obtaining her graduate degree in International Affairs. She received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies and a double minor in Organizational Leadership and Africana Studies from Rutgers University in May 2009. Yetunde’s research focuses on corruption and its effects on governmental trust and performance in both local and state government. Her research interests include government transparency, public trust, ethical leadership, human rights, economic development, public policy and social entrepreneurship.

Yetunde is the Assistant Editor for Public Performance and Management Review (PPMR), a leading peer-review academic journal that addresses a broad array of influential factors on the performance of public and non-profit organizations. She is also a distinguished Eagleton Institute of Politics Fellow and member of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. She is currently the President of Rutgers University Student Association of Global Affairs and Vice-President of Rutgers Graduate Student Government Association. Yetunde was also recently selected to attend Clinton Global Initiative Meeting for Young Leaders in Miami, Florida where she personally met President Bill Clinton. She is also involved in the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meetings. She is the recipient of numerous academic, leadership and public service awards. During her undergraduate years, she was the President of Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences Chi Alpha Epsilon National Academic Honor Society, a Ronald E. McNair and Minority Academic Career Fellow and Scholar, Rutgers Emerging Leader Scholar, and interned at league of distinguished places including the Office of Mayor Bloomberg Commission to the United Nations, Global Partners Project.

Yetunde’s passion for change, leadership and politics started at a young age. As the past President of Student Government and Student Ambassador of her high school, she developed and honed the skills of becoming a leader, activist and public servant. She was featured in Who’s Who Amongst High School Students in 2005. Her extensive experience includes organizational leadership, campaigning, community relations, community organizing, research analysis, public speaking, social and human rights advocacy.

Yetunde has extensive training in communication strategies and public speaking. She has mastered seven categories of public speaking under the guidance of New Jersey Orators. She is truly a gifted and talented young women. With her vast experiences she decided to use her gifts and talents to help others actualize their dreams. In 2007, Yetunde created, “Putting Your Best Self Forward,” a website dedicated to empowering and encouraging young women and men to be great leaders.

Yetunde is a motivational speaker where she uses her website, “Putting Your Best Self Forward,” to empower, encourage and inspire young people to be a catalyst of change. Yetunde is the co-author of a recently published book titled, “A Call to Serve: Quotes on Public Service,” which aims to foster a spirit of service and civic engagement and to encourage more people to public service. Yetunde’s endless accomplishments are a testament of her perseverance and determination. Yetunde believes that it is her responsibility to encourage, inspire and motivate others to be the best that they can be. Her mission is to pay it forward.

MRS ROSE CHINYERE UZOMA

COMPTROLLER GENERAL, NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICES

The twelfth Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs Rose Chinyere Uzoma, OON, mni, before her appointment on 30^th July, 2010 by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, was the Deputy Comptroller General in-charge of the Operations Directorate of the Service. In that capacity, Mrs Uzoma took responsibility over the activities of the Border Patrol, VISA/EP, ECOWAS/African Affairs and Passport Divisions as well as the 36 State Commands, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where she excelled to the admiration of all.

She attended Queens College, Enugu for her secondary education after completing her primary studies at Methodist School, Amaokwe-Item in Abia State. Having emerged the second best candidate in the common entrance examination in East Central State, little Uzoma was awarded scholarship for her secondary education. She later proceeded to University of Ibadan to study Sociology between 1974 and 1977.

In 1978, after the completion of her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, she enlisted into the Immigration service as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent. She was among the first set of graduate intakes in the Service.

Mrs Uzoma attended the 2^nd Basic immigration Training Course for her training before travelling to the Law Enforcement Centre, Glynco, Georgia, USA, for a senior Immigration Officers Course. Armed with the knowledge garnered from these training programmes, she was roundly prepared to make a successful and eventful career in the Nigeria Immigration Service.

She has held Command positions in strategic formations in the Service. She was Comptroller Investigation and later, Comptroller Finance and Administration, Zone ‘A’ Lagos; Pioneer Comptroller Anambra State Command; Comptroller ECOWAS and African Affairs, Zone ‘A’ Lagos; Comptroller Lagos Seaports and Comptroller Murtala Mohammed international Airport, Lagos.

In year 2000, Mrs Uzoma was promoted to the top rank of Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) and posted as Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘E’, Owerri, where she supervised seven States namely: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers Commands. Oil and Gas Free Zone, onne and the Export Processing Zone, Calabar were later added to the Zone as she also supervised the Immigration Training Schools, Orlu, and Ahoada as the Zonal Coordinator.

After her stint at Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru near Jos, she was deployed to Abuja as Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) in-charge of Investigation. This position she occupied until 2005 when she was promoted to the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General and assigned the Operations Directorate. In this capacity, she drove the Immigration e-Project embracing e-administration, e-Passport and e-Payment for which the Service became quite efficient and popular in service delivery.

The second female Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs Uzoma is widely travelled and has represented the Service at international Conferences in Nigeria and abroad, as well as participated in many Inter-Ministerial, Bi-lateral, Multi-lateral and Bi-commission meetings. The countries visited by her include United Kingdom, United States of America, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Bulgaria, South Africa, Ghana, Senagal, benin Republic, Mali, Togo, Chad, Cote D’ivoire, Ethiopia, Japan among others.

For her outstanding achievements and contributions towards societal uplift, Mrs Rose Uzoma has received numerous awards. At the apex of her honours list is the national recognition given her by the late President Umar Musa Yar’adua as Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Besides being a Fellow of the African Business School (FABS), she also bagged the Professional Women Role Model Award, Eastern Women Award of Excellence, Ohaneze Women award of recognition, Abia State Award of Excellence and Ada Imo by Imo State Women. Other awards conferred on her are the Orlu Senatorial Zonal Award of recognition, Nkwerre Aborigin Award of recognition, Nkwerre Recognition Certificate for Community Development and others.

On the home front, Mrs Rose Uzoma is no less successful. She is married to Mr. Joe Eberechukwu Uzoma, a professional Accountant and accomplished businessman. Their marriage is blessed with three children.

She derives immense pleasure in reading, listening to melodious music, swimming, playing golf, and collecting art works, especially painting. She also takes great delight in providing succour to the less privileged, particularly women and girls. For her, nothing is more fulfilling than planting smiles on the faces of the down trodden. She would do anything to impact positively on the lives of people. This trait, Mrs Uzoma is bringing to bear on her leadership of Nigeria Immigration Service, to transform the Service into a service driven and people-driven and people-oriented, world class organization.

Rose Chinyere Uzoma was born on 23^rd March, 1953 to a Methodist Priest father, Rev. Ezekiel Uzu and Mrs. Cecilia Uzu of Amaogwugwu village in Umuahia, Abia State. Undoubtedly, her religious background and the consequent disciplined upbringing she received from her parents provided the ladder for her to journey to the enviable height she has attained in life.

DR GOODLUCK EBELE AZIKWE JONATHAN,

PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s meteoric rise look peaked when he was sworn in as Nigeria President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces in year 2010, after the demise of President Umar Musa Yar’adua, who he served as Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, between 2007 and 2010.
In keeping with his name – Goodluck – he is sometimes regarded as one of the luckiest men in Nigerian politics. Goodluck Jonathan having announced his presence in the national political landscape in by rising rapidly from his post as Deputy Governor of the oil-rich state of Bayelsa in 1999, Jonathan, became Governor of the state, from where he was nominated as Vice Presidential candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2006.

After a landslide victory at the polls, he was sworn in 29 May 2007 as Vice President to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He held on to that position until 9 Februry, 2009, when he was endorsed by the National Assembly as Acting President to fill the vacuum left behind by Yar’Adua’s abrupt trip abroad for medical checkup to douse the rising tension in the country.

His recent victory over former Vice-President and former Presidential Candidate of the Action Congress in 2007 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, picked as the consensus candidate of the North for 2011 general elections in Nigeria was an icing to the cake of Goodluck Jonathan rising political profile.

Goodluck Jonathan was born on 20 November, 1957, to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ebele Jonathan, a family of canoe makers, in Otueke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and was amply endowed with intelligence, strength and tact right from childhood, even though his parents were of a humble social background.

Young Goodluck started his primary education at St. Stephen Primary School (now State School – Otuoke) and later proceeded to St Michael Primary School – Oloibiri where he passed his First School Leaving Certificate. In 1971, the young lad furthered his studies at Mater Dei High School – Imiringi and sat for the West African School Certificate in 1975 and passed with flying colours.

Goodluck Jonathan was identified to be a great child right from his tender age because of his attributes and rare disposition. No wonder, his paternal grandmother “nicknamed” him “Azikiwe” as a striking simile to the great Zik to connote another great Nigerian to come in the nearest future.

In his secondary school days, Goodluck was appointed Class Prefect in class three in 1973, and later made Secretary to the School Food Committee, because of his brilliant disposition. And in his class four and five, he was again appointed Masterson House Prefect while his fellow prefects unanimously elected him as Chairman of the Committee of Prefects.

With his sparkling performance and enduring milieu, young Goodluck soon secured a job as a Preventive Officer in the Department of Customs and Excise where he was between 1975 and 1977.

His dogged quest for more knowledge in the academics prompted him to enroll as a pioneer student in the department of Zoology at the then newly established University of Port Harcourt, in 1977 and graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons.) Second Class (Upper Division) in 1981. As a Youth Corper, he served Nigeria devotedly between 1981 and 1982 as a classroom teacher in Community Secondary School Iresi – Oyo State (now Osun State). After the mandatory service, Goodluck Jonathan was invited for a teaching appointment by the old Rivers State Civil Service Commission in 1982, however, because of his brilliant and intimidating performance at the interview, he was appointed a Science Inspector of Education in the Ministry of Education.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan always knew that he had a bond with the academia that he cannot dispute. Hence, he soon left the mainstream Civil Service for the College of Education where he took up an appointment as a lecturer in the Department of Biology in November 1983. Again, because of his disciplined nature and dedication to duty, he was elected as the Representative of Congress in the Senior Staff Appointments and Promotions Committee. A position he held till he voluntarily left the College in 1993. To equip himself firmly ahead of the foresighted challenges, he enrolled again for a Post Graduate programme in the University of Port Harcourt.

He bagged a well-deserved Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Hydro-Biology and Fisheries Biology and Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology in 1985 and 1995 respectively.

In furtherance of his career, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan later picked an appointment as an Assistant Director in the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), in March 1993 and was deployed to the Directorate of Environmental Protection and Pollution Control where he directed the affairs of the Environmental Protection Sub-Department.

Dr. Jonathan is a member of various professional bodies, including the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON); Fellow, International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA); Fellow, Public Administrators of Nigeria (PAN), and he was also awarded the prestigious Honorary Fellowship of the Nigerian Environmental Society, following his strides and contributions towards Environmental Management.

While serving as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, his dedication to service, eventful life devoted entirely to humanity and monumental achievements as an accomplished leader earned him the “Best Performing Deputy Governor Award in the Federation in 2002” by the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria (IPAN); “Exemplary Leadership Quality and Good Governance Award” by the National Association of Women in Education Development in July 2003, and in further recognition of his dedication to service, the NUJ Abuja Council conferred on him a prestigious Honorary Award for Democracy and Good Governance.

Known as a humane administrator, amazingly simple minded personality, well loved by his people, friends and colleagues, Jonathan ventures into the dicey and precarious murky water of Nigerian politics in 1998, a move nobody ever expected.

Nevertheless, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan saw the need to boost the socio-economic with political interest of the common man as well as bridge the lacuna of rural/urban dichotomy of his people through the provisions of social infrastructure. Hence, he took to politics in the Fourth Republic and pitched tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was picked as the running mate to the Party’s flag bearer Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha. The duo emerged victorious at the polls in the 1999 gubernatorial election, and so, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became the first Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.

After a successful tenure, which ended May 2003, Dr. Jonathan repeated the feat where he led Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha Campaign machinery popularly called ALAMCO, and the duo won the gubernatorial elections again in 2003. Through providence, Jonathan was promoted and sworn-in as Governor of one of the richest regions in Africa, Bayelsa State, after the State Governor – Chief Diepreye S. P. Alamieyeseigha – was indicted by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on corruption charges in 2006 and subsequently impeached by the legislators of the State House of Assembly.

Just as his tenure was coming to an end in Bayelsa State, good luck beamed Jonathan again, as he was surprisingly announced as the running mate to PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’adua for the 2007 general elections. The selection of Jonathan stunned many as he was not on the bookmakers’ radar at that period.

On 13 January 2010, a Federal High Court handed him the power to carry out state affairs to allow President Umar Musa Yar’adua, who left the country on 23 November 2009, without official provision for anyone to assume his duties, receive medical treatment in a Saudi Arabian Hospital.

Following the national altercation, which broke out due to former President Umaru Yar’Adua’s controversial medical trip to Saudi Arabia, a motion from the Nigerian Senate on 9 February 2010 confirmed his powers to act as President, with all the accompanying powers, until when and if Yar’Adua returned to full health. Nigerian Constitution requires a written letter from the President stating he is unable to serve or that the cabinet sends a medical team to examine him but this provision has not apparently been fulfilled leaving some doubts as to the constitutionality of the action. The power transfer was called a “coup without the word” by opposition lawyers and lawmakers, yet ending 78 days of power vacuum in the oil-rich nation.

Though President Yar’adua returned to Nigeria on 24 February 2010, insinuations were rife that he was not fit enough to carry out his duties as the President of the nation, Jonathan thus continued as Acting President and was later sworn in as President on 6 May 2010, upon Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’adua’s death on 5 May, 2010.

Dr. Jonathan is a man well recognized for his cluster of achievements and immense contributions to the polity, communal liberalism, growth, and general welfare of the people of his area. One significant feat that has endeared Goodluck Jonathan to the Ogbia people is the peace he has brought to the politics of that region. At the inception of this Fourth Republic, the political activities were characterized with extreme violence and chaos. But he doggedly advocated for politics without rancour or violence and in his usual peaceful disposition without bitterness, Ogbia political silhouette is not only stable and homogenous but one of the most violent free clan in Nigeria today.

Beyond these, he is a humble man, dearly loved and respected. He has remained in the consciousness of his friends and contemporaries, as a builder of human social bridges. He is a teacher, technocrat, a democrat, a man of transparent honesty and humility; a perfect gentleman, a tender loving husband and an unshakable believer in the unity, not only of Ogbia clan but also of Nigeria.

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  is happily married to Mrs. Patience Faka Jonathan. The nuptial union is blessed with two children.

DR.OLUSEGUN RAHMAN MIMIKO,

GOVERNOR, ONDO STATE

“It is a great pleasure to see the various programmes of the State government which we believe would have equally great impact on the lives of the people. The main reason for coming here today was not only to say well done, though you have performed well, but to encourage you to improve on the achievements already recorded.

“I also want to commend the efforts of the government aimed at ensuring that the lives of both mother and child survive in Ondo State which is the target of the World Bank. We feel that other States should emulate this project.”

Above was the declaration by Mr. Onno Rhul, World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria on the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko led administration in Ondo State health sector’s initiative “Safe Motherhood Project tagged “ABIYE”.

Dr. Mimiko attended St. Joseph’s College, Ondo, in 1966, and left with the West African School Certificate in 1970. Between 1971 and 1972, he was a Higher School Certificate (HSC) student at the popular Gboluji Grammar School, Ile-Oluji. Dr. Mimiko entered the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife in 1972. In 1976, he bagged a B.Sc. Health Sciences Degree; and the MB; CH.B in 1980. He is appropriately registered with the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council as a Medical Practitioner.

As a medical doctor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has worked in different establishments over the past 26 years. Between 1980 and 1981, he was a House Officer with the Ondo State Health Management Board under which auspices he worked at the General Hospital (now State Specialist) Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. He had a stint with the Nigerian Naval College (NNS Onura), Onne, Port Harcourt, between 1981 and 1982, from where he returned to join the services of the Ondo State Health Management Board as Medical Officer in the General Hospital (now State Specialist) Hospital, Ondo, in 1982.

From late 1983 to 1984, Dr. Mimiko had his initial taste of private medical practice by working at different times as a Medical Officer at Apagun Clinic, Yaba, Lagos; and as Acting Medical Director, Alleluyah Hospital, Oshodi, Lagos. He returned to public service for another year between April 1984 and February 1985 (again with the Ondo State Health Management Board) before finally going into full private medical practice with the setting up of the MONA MEDICLINIC with headquarters at Ondo.

Dr. Olusegun Rahman Mimiko was born on 3rd October, 1954, to Pa and Mrs. Atiku Bamidele Mimiko of Ondo, Ondo State. His great, great grandfather was the High Chief Adaja Gbegbaje of Ondo. His great grandfather, Chief Akinmeji, was the distinguished Ruwase of Ondo. His grandfather, Pa Famimikomi, was an accomplished man. His gallantry in those long years attracted great respect, some of which rubbed-off on his own son, the late Pa A. B. Mimiko, himself an accomplished manager of men and materials, a cocoa plantation farmer, an avid reader and monitor of global developments, an erudite social commentator and a compassionate leader of men. Dr. Mimiko’s mother is of the eminent Ogunsulie family of Ondo Kingdom.

NENADI USMAN:

PDP SENATORIAL CANDIDATE/FORMER MINISTER OF FINANCE

She played a major role in women empowerment as she had a pivotal role in the formation of an NGO called “Education and Empowerment for women” with its headquarters at Jere in Kaduna State and she is the present chairperson of the Coalition of N.G.O´s for Women Development in Kaduna State.

Born about 40 years ago, Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman who hails from Jere in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State began her education in Jos, then later Kagoro, after which she attended the Federal Government College, Jos, Plateau State. She later acquired her first degree in Geography at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and later a postgraduate diploma from University of Jos.

She taught briefly at Government Secondary School, Kagoro, and soon after was appointed Executive Adviser on Youths and Sports to the Kaduna State Government, and later Executive Adviser on Information, Home Affairs and Culture.
She was also Commissioner in three ministries − Women Affairs, Environment and Natural Resources, and Health. In all these positions, she demonstrated sparkling leadership qualities.

Mrs. Nenadi Usman has been a very active politician, philanthropist and public servant has she has served as a member Kaduna State caucus of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC). She was also a member-elect of the House of Representatives, representing Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency under the United Nigeria Congress Party in 1998.
She was the coordinator (women mobilization) Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi Campaign team in 1999 and she was re-elected campaign committee chairman in 2003. She was the Coordinator (Women Mobilization) Kaduna State in the campaign train of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Campaign Committee.

Due to her commitment to human development in almost all the facet of life, Mrs. E. Nenadi Usman has been honoured on many ocassions and she has also received several awards which include:

• Excellence Award for Personal Achievement by Kaduna Junior Chamber 2001
• Distinguished member Award by National Council of Women Societies, 2001
• Award for Excellence by Southern Kaduna Unity Forum, Zaria Chapter
• Merit Award for Contribution to society progress by Tudun Wada Mirage 2002
• Certificate of Merit, Enhancement of Women Participation in the Executive Arm of Government by PDP Women Aspirants´ Forum, 2002
• Honour Roll by National Council of Women Societies, 2004
• Contribution to Upliftment of Women, by Mother Nigeria Project, 2005
• Honorary Fellow of the Institute-Institute of Quality Assurance of Nigeria, 2005
• Contribution to Community Development, Kaura Youth Coalition, 2005
• Distinguished Leadership Award par Excellence by the Institute of Corporate Executives of Nigeria, 2005
• Executive Award for Excellence by Radio, television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), 2006
• For Notable Achievement in Public Sector by Christian Association of Nigeria Women Wing, Kaduna, 2006
• For Visible contribution to the Service of God by World Harvest Evangelical and Ministerial Association Inc. 2006 Women of Distinction Gold Award by Esther Generation, Southern Kaduna Chapter, 2007
• Gold Award for Outstanding Contribution to Economic Growth and Stability for Nigeria by World Resolution USA
• Certificate of Honour for Outstanding Contribution to Community through Education by Government Secondary School Jere, 2007
• Pillar of Economic Strength Award by Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), Abuja Chapter 2007
• Eminent Leaders Achievers Award by Eminent Leaders magazine 2006
• An Outstanding Achiever and Grassroots Motivator by Association of Lagos State Indigenes, Kaduna 2008
• For Phenomental rise in Politics by the City People Media Group, 2008
• Honour Award for Contributions to Nigerians Development by Association of Nigerian Geographers (ANG), 2009

Mrs. E. Nenadi Usman has also presented papers on various issues at both local and national levels. Some of the papers she presented include:

• Implication of the On-going Reforms to Nigerian Women, Address delivered at the International Women´s Day, March 8th 2004
• Nigerian Women and the Challenge of economic empowerment, paper presented at a three-day Conference on African Women in Contemporary World: Issues in Political and Economic Development in Nigeria, 4th July 2005
• Nigeria´s Economic Reform programme and Issues in Good Governance, Transparency and Accountability, presented at the 16th Session of Crans Montana Forum, Principality of Monaco, 24th June 2005
• Fiscal Responsibility Act: Federal Perspective, Address delivered at the 11th Nigerian Economic Summit, Abuja, June 2nd 2005
• Funding Issues and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria, being a lead paper presented at that 51st Annual Conference of the Association of Nigerian Geographers (ANG) held at Kogi State University, Anyigba, 7th-11th March 2010
• Africa Needs Microfinance, A Special Guest of Honour keynote address delivered at the Opening Ceremony of the Central Bank of Nigeria Microfinance Certification Programme Training for managing Directors and Senior Staff of Microfinance banks, Hell at Suceesory Nigeria Ltd Training Hall, Constitution Road, Kaduna, May 24th, 2010

Also, she has been an active member of various organisations and Political parties both in the past and presents, such as:

• Member, Kaduna State caucus, Defunct National Republican Convention (NRC)
• Member-elect, Federal House of Representatives, Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency), UNCP
• Member, Kaduna State Transition Committee and inauguration Committee 1999
• Member, Federal Government Transition Committee and Inauguration
• Member, Kaduna State Caucus, PDP
• Ex-Chair, Coalition of NGO´s for Women Development in Kaduna State
• Initiator and Founder, Education and Empowerment for Women, Jere, Kaduna State
• Member, Business Advisory Council (Conference of the Northern States Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture-CONSCIMMA)
• Member, Bayero University Kano Development Board

She was appointed the Minister of State for Finance and later the Honourable Minister of Finance by the Obasanjo administration. She is married with four children and her area of interest are Administration, Mobilization and Assisting the underprivileged .

PROFFESOR ATTAHIRU MUHAMMADU JEGA, INEC CHAIRMAN

Proffesor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, a professor of political science, before his nomination and subsequent confirmation as Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) was the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, and also a former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and a determined opponent of the military intervention in Nigeria politics in the early 1990s. As ASUU President he was closely associated with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and is widely seen as an astute intellectual with a strong sense of ethics and morality.

His nomination as INEC Chairman followed by the unanimous approval by the National Council of State attended by former Heads of State generated lots of positive reactions laced with optimism from a broad spectrum of political leaders, pressure societies and organizations across the country. His leadership in INEC has recorded some radical changes and efforts, although some voiced concern that it could be too late to implement real reforms before the 2011 elections.

He took his appointment with every sense of responsibility, cautious of the fact that Nigerians expected much more from anyone in the helms of affair in INEC. This principled academic was not a greenhorn in the Nigeria electoral processes, as he was a Consultant to INEC and also armed with the fact that the immediate predecessor in INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu, served along with him as Vice President in ASUU.

In year 2008, Jega was appointed by the Late President Umar Musa Yar’adua as a member of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee, whose report has been widely acclaimed as the required panacea for the nation’s electoral woes with recommendations for the establishment of Electoral Offences Commission, proportional representation, regulation and registration of political parties and that the Independent Electoral Commission INEC Chairman should not be appointed by the President but by the Judiciary.

Jega is the founding coordinator of the Nigeria Research Group, and the Centre for Research and Documentation in Kano. He is the author of several books and journals, and has served as speaker at various events. He was guest lecturer for the NLC May Day during the 2010 celebration where he presented a paper on 50 Years of Nationhood: Challenges of Good Democratic Governance, Credible Election and the Working Class. One of his major books is ‘The state and Identity Transformation.’ He was head of the university’s political science department before he was appointed its Vice Chancellor in 2005.

Attahiru Muhammadu Jega was born on 11 January 1957 in Jega Kebbi State and attended Sabon Gari Town Primary School, Jega, between 1963 and 1969 and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi and was later admitted into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, (Bayero University College, Kano) in 1974, graduating in 1979 with a Second Class Upper Division B.Sc. degree in Political Science.

He worked as an Assistant Lecturer at Bayero University, then won a fellowship at Northwestern University, Illinois, USA in 1981 where he earned a PhD in Political Sciences in 1984 and returned to the classroom as a Lecturer at Bayero University, Kano.

He was Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos (March 1992 – March 1993); visiting Research Fellow, Department of Political Science, university of Stockholm, Sweden (1994); Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Bayero University (1995 – 1996) and Director, Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Bayero University (2000 – 2004).

COBHAMS EMMANUEL ASUQUO

– ARTISTE/MUSIC PRODUCER

Cobhams Emanuel Asuquo is a song writer/music producer per excellence who started his professional training as a lawyer, but later branched into music full-time to fulfill a lifelong desire he silently nurtured. His style comprises a wide spectrum of genres based on his careful understudy of such classical, jazz and traditional music greats as Tchaikovsky, Dave Grusin and Haruna Isola respectively. He is currently signed onto Sony ATV (Sony Publishing) London as a songwriter and has won awards in music as well as his other fields of interest.

Cobhams Asuquo likes to say that his music career started when as a child he used to puff his cheeks to play the 12-bar blues. Today, he is known for producing some of the finest artistes in Nigeria. Noteworthy among these artistes is the Nigerian soul-singing sensation, Asa, whose 2007 debut album became an international hit.

In 2005, Cobhams signed on to Sony ATV London as a songwriter. After working as Head of Audio Productions at a local label, Questionmark Entertainment, he set up his own recording facility in 2006. He is CEO/ Head of Productions of CAMP (Cobhams Asuquo Music Productions), an all-encompassing entertainment company that discovers nurtures and exposes great talents. Cobhams has won multiple local and international awards for his creative and entrepreneurial contributions to the Nigerian music industry.

He has Produced Award winning hit-songs for such recording artistes as: Mode Nine (Cry); Faze (Faze Alone); Djinee (Ego); Dare Art-Alade (Escalade); Maintain (Catch Cold & Maintain in India); Silver Saddie (Lala); Street Monks (Street Life), while other known names he has worked with within the industry include Charly Boy, Lady Di, Rooftop MCs, Esther of ‘Resonance’ and the soul diva Yinka Davies. He also wrote and produced songs from the album released by one of Nigeria’s finest soul singing sensations – Asa.

Cobhams Asuquo has written and produced music (and in some cases, lyrics) for such campaigns as: MTN’s “Life Is Beautiful” (SO & U Saatchi & Saatchi); “Start the Night with Guinness” (SO & U Saatchi & Saatchi); Reltel’s “Make it Happen” (PrimaGarnet OGILVY); Close Up’s “The Closer, The Better” (EXP Momentum Nigeria); Malta Guinness’ “Top-of-The-World-Goodness” (SO & U Saatchi & Saatchi); Music for MTN’s “Make-Up” TVC (SO & U Saatchi & Saatchi); Imo State’s “Clean and Cream Initiative” (DDB Lagos); “Thrive” (Year Song for DDB Lagos);, and City Mall’s “Talk to Me”.

In pursuit of his career, he has arranged music for and performed with bands at such international music events as The Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA 2006); AFA Sponsored French Cultural Center Concert with Asa and Angelique Kidjo (Malawi); AFA Sponsored French Cultural Center Concert in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nigeria Week (Paris); The launch of MTV’s one hundredth channel (MTV Base Africa) at Abuja, Nigeria. The NIGCOM SAT launch (the launch of Nigeria’s First Communication Satellite). He has also composed and arranged film scores to be interpreted for conservatoires as well as other forms of stage performance including “A Voice for Ella” by Uche Macaulay, Sunshine (Alpha Vision) etc.

He is a recipient of many awards such as The Future Awards 2006, Producer of the Year, Hip-hop World Awards 2007; Producer of the Year, Hip-hop World Awards 2008; Producer of the Year, Nigeria Music Award (NMA); 2007 Producer of the Decade, Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) 2008; “Producer of the Decade”, LEAP Africa Award 2007 for His Creativity; “Fortitude & Exemplary Leadership In the Music Industry”; Partnership Award 2008 for “Supporting the Worship For Change Concert”; One Gospel Awards 2008 for “Gospel Composer/ Writer of the Year” and The Future Awards 2009 as “Music Producer of the Year” among others.

TUFACE: Innocent Ujah Idibia, Award Winning Artiste/Producer

Innocent Ujah Idibia is currently one of the most popular artistes on African soil, aside from running his own record label known as Hypertek after leaving Kennis Music, the artist has established the Tuface Idibia Foundation, which is into charity. In December 2010, his foundation collaborated with the Hands Project International for an Aids charity dinner. His show held at the expo centre was the best of its kind, as it featured all the notable Nigerian artists, particularly D ‘Banj, P-Square and Banky W.

Born Innocent Idibia, Tuface most times referred to as ‘Tu baba’ by his fans, hails from Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State and from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue. He attended Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School in Makurdi, Benue State and schooled briefly in the Institute of Management & Technology, IMT, Enugu, one of the country’s foremost higher institute of learning where he did his preliminary National Diploma course in Business Administration. Though, he did not finish but moved ahead in life as he honed his skills in music by performing in shows and parties organised by the IMT and some other schools like Enugu State University of Science & Technology, Enugu (ESUT) and University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC).

His major breakthrough in the IMT was composing and singing the jingles in the famous radio show GB Fan Club in Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) in 1996. He then relocated to Lagos and joined up with his ex-IMT and ex-Mount Saint Gabriel’s mate BlackFace to form Plantashun Boyz as he adopted the name “2Face” in 1996. “The name to me just refers to the outside and inside: when you first see me you see the outside but when you get to know me, you see the inside,” he declared.He was also known for his narrow escapes from death, he had close shave with death three times, at different locations and times, including gun shots.

His award winning hit track “African Queen” was used as the sound track of the 2006 comedy film, Phat Girlz which made him recognized in the global world of music. His former group Plantashun Boyz came together briefly in 2007 to record an album which they titled ‘Plan B’.

In 2008, he released a promotional album which spawned a hit, “Enter the Place”, which was written by Churks though one of his least successful hits ever, did well in some charts. The promo CD is said to have faced distribution and sales problems, going unnoticed in some areas of the country which led to the shift of the release date of the album from 2008 to 2009 instead of the proposed release date announced in 2007.

Tuface later released two lead off singles from the international version of his Unstoppable album and is the first Nigerian artist to have an appropriately priced international album, he also recorded a single with Mary J. Blige.

In 2010 with his Unstoppable Album he won 2 awards at the 2010 SMVA, He also won the Channel O Most Gifted Western African and the MTV African Music Awards (Best Male and Artist of the year) making him the most successful pop singer in Africa. He is the lead vocalist of the Sony All African 08 Project alongside 7 other stars across Africa recording their first singles with R. Kelly and Prince Lee titled “Hands Across The World”.

He has won several awards in the past to include the Kora Awards, Channel O Music awards, NMA Awards, MTV Music Award and many others across the world.

ASA: BUKOLA ELEMIDE, Award Winning Songstress

Asa- born Bukola Elemide – was born in 1982 in Paris by Nigerian parents with three brothers. She lived in Paris for few years and after her parents relocated to Lagos in Nigeria. Her stagename ‘Asa’ is a Yoruba word which literarily means “Hawk”, she adopted the name because when she was young she often ran away and changed directions like a hawk.

Twenty years later Aṣa returned to Paris, which is where her life as an artist took wing. Aṣa was twelve when her mother sent her to one of the best schools in Nigeria. But educational excellence had a bitter taste: five years of studies and hardship. When she came home, she discovered great artistes like Angelique Kidjo, Lauryn hill, Femi Kuti, Erykah Badu, and host of others in whose footprints she followed.

At 18, Asa was very familiar with frustration. The university was on strike, the choirs were snubbing her. During these frustrating times, Asa used to lock herself in her room and sing; this she said was very comforting. Nevertheless, she managed to get her voice heard on a few radio talent shows and her first applause brought her boundless pleasure. She then signed up, in secret, for the Peter King’s School of Music and learned to play guitar in 6 months.

Her mother was a shopkeeper and her father shot video reports for weddings and that’s how she discovered her flair for music, though greatly influenced and inspired by many Bob Marley and Fela Kuti’s songs.

She has been singing since she was young that’s why she went to Peter King’s Music school and learnt the guitar. In 2002 she came to France on a Jazz project with Nigerian musicians and then in 2004 she came back to Paris to start her career. She had a fund from the French cultural center of Lagos.

She met her manager and friend, Janet, in 2004, who introduced her to Cobhams Asuquo, who later became her musical partner and producer. He enabled Aṣa, the free spirit, to find her bearings and songs in English and Yoruba, music falling somewhere between pop and soul, inspired by her musical heritage — with particular care paid to the melodies — and reflecting the feeling she puts into it. Her music, which is laced with lyrics which deal with Africa, everyday life things with lots of irony is more of a product of her experiences in life as she states that the city is “buzzing with energy but also home to a deep-rooted spirituality. Islam thrives shoulder to shoulder with Christianity in an atmosphere of tolerance, and the turbulent city moves endlessly in an infernal and yet harmonious ballet of love and hate, laughter and violence, poverty and wealth and that “I like writing or thinking about my texts on the bus, or the molué, as we call it. 49 seats, 99 passengers standing up, as Fela described it. Everyone’s squashed up together and mini-dramas break out all the time. And, at the end of the day, we still manage to laugh, that’s where our strength lies…”

When she returned to France, she worked and played with several artistes like Manu Dibango; the Nubians, Doctor L and Tony Allen. As she continues familiarizing with the musical scene in france, her first single ‘Eye Adaba’ was enjoying airtime back home in Nigeria. As her fame rose, she signed up with ‘Naïve Label’ partnered by Cobhams Asuquo and with the involvement of Frenchman, Christophe Dupouy to record her first album, and the songs are in English and Yoruba as she can’t speak French very well, but she craved to learn and speak the language.

She was chosen by MTV as the ambassador for South Africa and very popular in Nigeria music scene and shows as she opened for Akon, Beyonce and Snoop Dogg when they visit Nigeria. The songstress has also collaborated with many Nigerian artistes like Tuface and 9ice.

Asa was recently nominated for ‘Best Female Act’ at Victoires de la Musique – French Music Award, as she storms the music scene with her second single ‘Why Can’t We, from her latest album ‘Beautiful Imperfection’, featuring impeccable guitars, laced with strong horns and beautiful harmonies.

Asa’s new song blends folk and reggae tones with her unique solar voice. Barely two months after being released, Asa’s ‘Beautiful Imperfection’ has been certified Gold in over 25 countries, as the Nigerian songstress is kick off an extended tour early February, in Europe, Australia and Japan. After selling out two shows in Bataclan Paris this March, an additional date at Zenith de Paris on 19 Oct 2011 has been added.