President Bola Tinubu has implored those in authority to see their engagement as a public trust, urging them to live above board and always be accountable to the citizens whom they have been elected or appointed to serve
The President made the appeal at the weekend during the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) ceremony held at the State Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Enugu state Governor, Peter Mbah, Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and 42 others received the NEAPS award presented by Vice president Kashim Shettima who stood in for President Bola Tinubu .
It was a night to reward hardwork, commitment and diligence in both public and private service.
44 Nigerians who have distinguished themselves and made exceptional contributions to public service in 2023 were recognised with the prestigious Nigeria Excellence Award which was instituted to encourage and boost the morale of deserving citizens, including those in the private sector.
Governor of Enugu state, Peter Ndubisi Mbah also received the NEAPS award in recognition of his administration's enviable scorecard, particularly in road infrastructure.
Others include Governor of Gombe state Inuwa Yahaya for excellence in governance and healthcare, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago for Agriculture, and food security and the Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike for infrastructure
Speaking on the criteria for the recognition, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume and managing partner of the NEAPS Mariam Mohammed said the award is a deliberate move to encourage excellence, innovation and development.
Four out of the 44 awardees are women; amongst them is Abike Dabiri, Chairman NIDCOM.
Those recognised in the business world include Aliko Dangote for Industrial Revolution, Mele Kyari for Gas revolution, Jim Ovia got the lifetime achievement award in Banking.