The week starting Monday 23 September and ended on 28 September 2024 was quite a busy week that started almost disastrously. Our plane couldn’t land in Calabar because of bad weather and returned to Abuja after a couple of unsuccessful attempts to land. It almost landed on the grass at a point because of terrible visibility.

About 25 minutes to Abuja, however, we entered turbulent weather. The pilot was practically fighting with weather and the latter appeared succeeding. There was so much panic on board. Some were already weeping, others were speaking in tongues. I put on a gospel song and was singing along, all in a bid to not notice the apparent danger. At a point however, I almost lost hope too. I doubt if I had ever been so afraid in my entire life.

Look at me that had always said that I wasn’t afraid of death but that I would just want to die quickly and suddenly without the torture of sickness, I changed my mind instantaneously. I began to see myself trapped inside a burning crash landed plane with over 100 others in great agony. It wasn’t a pleasant prospect.

And then suddenly, there was sunlight. I saw it first as I sat beside the window and announced to the young man and lady beside me that the storm was over. The man expressed obvious relief too but it was premature.

READ ALSO: Ola Olukoyede: Sailing through the storm, By Shina Philips

Suddenly, the storm returned. This time more ferociously. The pilot attempted to fly above it but everything was void. It was how Genesis described the earth in the beginning: without form or shape. This time, the turbulence was much worse than the former. There was much screaming. It was bad.

One funny thing was me thinking how my colleagues in newsrooms would discuss how Sanya ended. How would they react and would I feature in the headlines the following day?

But the owner of the universe took control. The plane eventually landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

It was then I remembered the story of Jesus Christ when he ordered “peace be still” as he was travelling in the boat with his disciples. It also came to my mind how Jonah was thrown into the river while trying to run away from his assignment in Nineveh and the sailors began to throw all the luggage into the river and eventually even got rid of Jonah himself. Storms of life.

About 25 minutes to Abuja, however, we entered turbulent weather. The pilot was practically fighting with weather and the latter appeared succeeding. There was so much panic on board. Some were already weeping, others were speaking in tongues.

As I removed my phone from aeroplane mode, I called my wife. She had been very worried. Normally, I inform her whenever my plane is about to take off and she would be watching the clock to call me once I am seen online. This past Monday however, she didn’t see me online after two hours and had become worried. “What happened, I have been calling you”, was her first statement but when I said “we just landed in Abuja”, she became confused. I explained the situation. She insisted on coming to pick me up despite the rain and that it was getting late in the day. I must say that she is normally a woman of prayers but last Monday was extraordinary.

And then message came during the night for me to be back at the airport by 7 a.m. Tuesday, she wasn’t comfortable at all.

Then again, the small craft that was taking eight of us also had difficulty taking off again. It made several attempts at gaining speed on the runway without success. She will read about this Tuesday morning episode here. I did not tell her. Eventually, it took off and we got to Calabar without further incident.

Overall, it was a busy and tedious week, from Abuja to Calabar and then by road though Cross River, Abia, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers all by road and back to my town by air. God took absolute control. I was also not put to shame concerning my assignment. It was a fulfilling week indeed. Glory be to God, I am back home.

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Jonathan stated this in his remarks at the “2nd Igbo Nsukka Zik Annual Merit Award”, in memory of the first Nigerian President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The event was organised by Igbo Nsukka United Front.

At the event, Jonathan was honoured with “the Zik’s Merit Award”.

He said the inability to manage Nigeria’s diversity was a major stumbling block to the nation’s socio-economic development.

“When I convened the 2014 National Conference as president, my intention was to create an environment that would enable our citizens to dispassionately address those issues that are pushing us towards divisive politics and sowing the seeds of discord in our polity.

“I believe that in a complex and diverse country like ours, the journey of nationhood and march to greatness is not a sprint but a marathon.

“However, to get it right, we need to do much more to unite our people and integrate our society, in order to build a nation of selfless patriots and citizens, citizens as defined by the Greek philosophers.

“That is the type of country envisioned by our nationalists.

“That is the only way to turn our huge population, rich diversity and the outstanding resourcefulness of our people into a positive force that would transform and enhance the greatness of our dear country.

“I have no doubt in my mind that God Almighty has deposited in our land and in our citizens, the indefatigable spirit and creativity to unite, work and relate in a harmonious way and make our country great,” Jonathan said.

The former president stressed the need for Nigerians to come together and agree on how to strengthen mechanisms and institutions that would promote the harmonization and functionality of their diverse people.

Jonathan said that would ensure equitable distribution of resources and opportunities and inspire harmony, patriotism, justice, peace and sustainable development.

He expressed his belief that Azikiwe’s ideals, philosophy and wisdom were very relevant at this particular time, as Nigerians sought to chart a way forward for the country.

He added that Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and other great nationalists did their best to lift the image of the country.

“The nation owes Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria who was in office from 1963 to 1966, a debt of gratitude.

“His outstanding role while working with other great nationalists to secure the independence we enjoy today was legendary.

“Nigerians of different generations will continue to remember his extraordinary efforts towards keeping Nigeria one, and his belief in Nigeria’s greatness anchored on equity, justice and inclusion.”

Jonathan said that as an indigene of Eastern Nigeria, born in Northern Nigeria and established in Western Nigeria, Azikiwe had a cosmopolitan life experience and disposition that prepared him for his role in the society.

This, according to him, enabled Azikiwe to envision a progressive Nigeria, whose diverse tribes and tongue would blend to produce a great nation to lead the rest of Africa.

“Whether as a political leader, author, journalist and media owner, Zik was sincere in his consistent rhetoric about freedom and economic emancipation.

“He spent most of his life fighting for the progress of this country and the well-being of her people.

“It is therefore, a thing of great significance that this group chose this very special day to evoke the nationalist spirit and principles of Azikiwe and restore to our consciousness, those ideals that raised our optimism about a cohesive and peaceful nation.

“A nation that would draw its strength in ethnic tolerance and accommodation and project to the world the beauty of unity in diversity.

“In those early days, Azikiwe never minced words on his fervent belief and optimism in the great potentials of our uniquely diverse society.

“He lived and died for one Nigeria, believing that what binds us is greater and more beneficial than what divides us as a people.

“While most political pundits insist that the potentials for Nigeria’s greatness remains potent, our nation has continued, since independence, to grapple with the consequences of poor management of our diversity and differences.

Jonathan commended the group for organising the dialogue on the 117th birthday of Azikiwe and for making efforts to preserve his legacies for national unity, in this challenging times.

Jonathan also appreciated the solidarity and warm reception he always received from the people of the South East of Nigeria.

“The unconditional solidarity South Easterners have always accorded me, reinforces my hope in the fact that we can truly fraternize with one another as citizens of one country, no matter our tribe and tongue.

“It also shows that Ndigbo have accepted me as one of their own, in spite of the fact that I come from the creeks of the Niger Delta.

“When my grandmother named me Azikiwe, she probably had no inkling of the meaning of the name, other than the fact that she was enamored with the achievements of the great nationalist, the Great Zik of Africa.”

“I have come to understand that the name symbolizes peace, understanding, greatness and solidarity in unity,” Jonathan added.

Source: NAN

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Lawan’s Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Muhammad-Aji, was at the ceremony in Lagos to receive the award on behalf of the Senate President.

The organisers of the award, the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre, PPRAC, said Lawan’s consideration was in recognition of his “long-standing dynamic service to the Nigerian state” and his “undying  commitment to the entrenchment of democratic ideals in the Nigerian polity.”

In his acceptance speech which was delivered by Dr Muhammad-Aji, Lawan expressed his pleasure and delight to have been recognised for the prestigious award.

The Senate President said the award would be dedicated to his distinguished colleagues in the Senate who had  remarkably risen above partisan differences to form a bond that was committed to the progress and development of Nigeria.

Lawan said the recognition was a result of the unwavering support that he enjoyed from his colleagues who resolved to be bipartisan from day one of the Ninth National Assembly.

“I consider the award as a further call to duty, not just from a personal point of view but on behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Assembly in general,” Lawan said.

The Senate President said on behalf of his colleagues, once again assured the nation that they would continue to put in their best in the onerous task of nation building.

The Zik Price was set up in 1994 in honour of the first President of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, to encourage and nurture leadership on the African continent and in the Diaspora.

Previous recipients of the prize include President Jerry Rawlings (1995), President Julius Nyerere (1997), Dr Nelson Mandela (2000), President Yoweri Museveni (2003), President John Kuffor (2008), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed (2010), President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2011), Aare Afe Babalola (2013), Hon. Yakubu Dogara (2015), Alhaji Ahmed Joda (2016), Chief Audu Ogbeh (2017) and Professor Ayo Ibidapo-Obe(2018).

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The award will be presented to Danbatta by Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre, PPRAC, during an elaborate ceremony slated for Sunday, December 6, 2020 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos State by 6 p.m.

This year’s event, which also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Zik Prize series, will be chaired by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, while the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, is to function as the royal father of the day.

The PPRAC had, during a virtual conference on Thursday, September 24, 2020, named Danbatta and the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, as the joint winners in the category.

Danbatta, Uzoka and other prominent personalities who emerged in different categories of the Zik Awards, were carefully selected through a rigorous and meticulous process for their notable contributions to national development, said Prof. Jubril Aminu, Chairman of the PPRAC in a statement on the grand award ceremony.

Described by the organisers as a square peg in a square hole, Danbatta, through dint of hardwork as NCC boss, was acknowledged to have led the charge to drive Nigeria’s industrial revolution and knowledge-based economy leveraging telecommunications.

According to them, telecommunications’ contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of Nigeria has grown by 70 per cent from 2015 to 2020, whilst broadband penetration has increased significantly to over 45 per cent.

“Danbatta’s leadership has enhanced transparency and innovation in the sector, such that recently, NCC was acknowledged by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as one of Africa’s foremost regulators,” they observed.

According to the organisers, the NCC boss had transformed the commission into a regulator of global acclaim, as they noted the establishment and implementation of the NCC’s auspicious strategic 8-Point Agenda, under Danbatta, which has given the direction to activities of the commission.

Organisers of the award also acknowledge that Danbatta has, through several breathtaking and far-reaching innovations, such as Subscriber Identification Module, SIM, registration and 112 Emergency Number, helped in the effort against insecurity in the country.

They also noted that the sector’s improved contribution to Gross Domestic Product, GDP, as well as improvements in Quality of Service, QoS, delivery, broadband infrastructural development, broadband penetration, effective spectrum utilisation, consumer empowerment, technology innovation, have been phenomenal under Danbatta’s leadership.

Earlier in a letter of nomination in July 2020, signed jointly by Aminu and Utomi, the NCC boss was described as “an outstanding public servant, whose initiatives and reforms had contributed to Information and Communications Technology (ICT), playing a leading role in the socio-economic development of Nigeria.”

Zik Prize centre was set up in 1994 in honour of the first President of Nigeria, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, with a view to encouraging and nurturing quality leadership in Africa and in the diaspora.

The impending event literally puts Danbatta in the prestigious category of eminent intra-continental figures so honoured by the foundation, like late former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings (1995); Late President Nelson Mandela, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and former Chairman of NCC’s Governing Board, Alhaji Ahmed Joda.

Among those to be honoured this year  however, are the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawal, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who won in political leadership and public service categories, respectively.

Others are Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum; his counterparts from Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Oyo State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, who have bagged the award for good governance.

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