Every year in the life of a nation is full of events and people who really made the year memorable.
In year 2011, Nigeria under the leadership of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan conducted another general election which many cynics predicted may signal the end of the country but after the election the country is still intact.
In fact, the election was adjudged to be quite free and fair by both international and local observers. One factor that separates 2011 General Elections in Nigeria from other elections was the volume of electoral cases which was far below the numbers the judiciary attended to in 2003 and 2007 General Elections and this singular reason justifies the inclusion of Prof. Attahiru Jega in the list of those who really kept the flag of our great nation flying in 2011.
So many other Nigerians contributed in their own various and little way to the development of the country in several fields of human endeavour but below are the list of the 20 Most Outstanding Nigerians in 2011 as declared by our panel of judges.
These few individuals contributed in no small ways to the development of our great country and we are left with no choice but to celebrate them. Chuka Umunna is one of the few Nigerians in Diaspora that we can be proud of as a nation, his name is in the list as the Most Outstanding Nigerian (Male) in Diaspora while the profile of Yetunde Odugbesan continue to rise, thus her inclusion as Most Outstanding Nigerian in Diaspora (Female).
Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo has shown what it takes to be a selfless leader, making use of policies and politics to affect the lives of the common man as the executive governor in Ondo State, while Owelle Rochas Okorocha led by example in Imo as he dedicated his monthly security votes for special projects to affect the people of Imi State positively.
The contribution of each individual in the list is of positive importance to Nigeria as a nation and that is the reason we will continue to celebrate them. They are our heroes.
20 MOST OUTSTANDING NIGERIANS IN 2011
OUTSTANDING NIGERIANS IN 2010
- Omoyele Sowore – Publisher/Journalist/Writer Sahara Reporters
- Prof. Pat Utomi – Public Analyst/Apostle of Sovereign National Conference
- Dr. Olusegun Mimiko – Governor, Ondo State
- Chukka Umunna – Member, British House of Parliament
- Dr. Bukola Saraki – Senator Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Aminu Bello Tambuwal – Speaker, Federal House of Representatives
- Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – President Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Prof. Attahiru Jega – Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission
- Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala – Minister of Finance
- Alhaji Aliko Dangote – Business Man/International Entrepreneur
- Yetunde Odugbesan – Motivational Speaker/Researcher
- Pastor Tunde Bakare – Pastor/Convener of Save Nigeria Group
- Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion – Philantropist/Educationist
- Hon. Mulikat Akande Adeola – Leader, Federal House of Representatives
- Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha
- Whiz Kid – Artiste/Nollywood Entertainment Star
- Funke Akindele – Artiste/Nollywood Actress
- Jim Iyke – Artiste/Nollywood Entertainment Star
- Asa – Artiste
- Sanusi Lamido Sanusi – Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria
Many were on the list of last year while others are just making the list this year.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is one woman with unique qualities and her passion to serve Nigeria always is exemplary. Dr Goodluck Jonathan is one of the pillars of democracy in Nigeria as he came from relatively unknown Otuoke in faraway minority Bayelsa to rule the biggest black nation on earth through the ballot and not through the bullets and conducted an election free and fair to the consternation of many within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Dr Bukola saraki coming to the Senate after spending eight years as Governor of Kwara State opened the can of worms in the oil sector when he called for the probe of NNPC on the floor of the Senate exposing the ills in that giant corporation. His bill led to the major crisis in the country throwing up voices calling for more probe of the oil subsidy saga.
Pastor Tunde Bakare and Prof. Pat Utomi put up spirited efforts to enlighten Nigerians as they clamour for probity in the system, while Pat Utomi continued in his call for Sovereign National Conference with all vigour.
Central Bank Governor was always in the news in 2011 for many reasons and Asa kept on flying high the name of Nigeria in international circle in the music industry along with her other colleagues, Funke Akindele (JENIFA) and Jim Iyke in the entertainment industry of Nollywood throwing up new sensation Whiz Kid.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote is one entrepreneur that cannot but make the list. He s the richest black man as released by Forbes and his contribution to national development is monumental. So also the man called Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, a philanthropist of the highest order and an educationist per excellence while Omoyele Sowore continued to excel in the field of Journalism as he used his skill and expertise to expose ills of the society and contribute positively ways to move the nation forward through Sahara Reporters.
Democracy is where the will of the people prevails and the rule of law leads. Alhaji aminu Bello Tambuwal stood for democratic right as he pursued his ambition to become the Speaker of the House of Representative amidst opposition from his party and some undemocratic elements. His emergence as Speaker brought about a kind of stability into the system as the issue of zoning was seriously put to test while Alhaja Mulikat Akande Adeola also displayed an extraordinary strength of a woman in her desire to be relevant in the scheme of things at the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly immediately after the 2011 General elections as she silenced other South western aspirants of the number seat in the House of Representatives.
They all keep the flag flying…!