The director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has been recognised for his numerous initiatives in the development of the maritime sector, with the 2020 Zik Prize for Public Service Leadership.
Speaking at the award ceremony organised by the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC) to mark the 26th year of the award in Lagos, Jamoh said the award, presented in honour of his hero, the late statesman and Nigeria’s first president, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, is a revered recognition that would push him to do more towards repositioning the maritime sector.
“I grew up hearing of and watching the great Zik of Africa on television and, back in those days, in school, we were taught that he is one of our founding fathers. I could never have imagined that I will be receiving this recognition in his name. To be a recipient of this award is humbling.
“I want to especially appreciate His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, for the opportunity to serve the public. Without that opportunity, I do not think I would have contributed as much as I have, talk more of being recognised for the Zik Leadership Prize in Public Policy,” he said.
The seasoned administrator is also a recipient of the Merit Award for Exemplary Leadership Achievements in Maritime Education in Nigeria from the Institute of Leadership and Development for the Public Good, Kansas, USA; merit awards from the Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, as well as one from the International Students of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano.
Under Jamoh, Nigeria’s anti-piracy efforts received global accolades from notable organisations, including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
A powerful delegation from Kaduna State from the governor, Nasir El-Rufai, led by the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, and other top functionaries of that state’s government was present to lend support to Jamoh.
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the ceremony, Prof. Anya O. Anya, explained that Jamoh and other awardees emerged after a rigorous and detailed screening process.
On his part, Chief Mac Nwabara of the PPRAC’s advisory board described the awardees as “people of character and achievement who have made humanity and Nigeria proud in their different endeavours”.
Other recipients present at the event were former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa, and the group managing director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari.
