The Advisory Board of the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), the organizers of the annual Zik Prize Award has said that it was the Founder and President Emeritus of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN that honoured PPRAC by accepting his Award in Humanitarian Leadership for Year 2013 rather that the body honouring the international legal icon and philanthropist with the award.
This rare accolade was made known when Babalola’s citation was being read before the Award plaque was handed over to him in the presence and to the tumultuous applause of the crème-de-la-crème of the society that thronged the high-brow Civic Centre venue of the award on the night of Sunday, June 22, 2014 in Lagos.
Speaking at the award that was witnessed by an array of Babalolas and who-is-who in ABUAD, Babalola said he was inspired by the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe after whom the Award was named for those who have displayed exemplary leadership and philanthropic qualities to make the society better than they had met it.
Babalola was honoured with eight others, including the Cross River State Governor, Lyel Imoke, his Edo state counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and the governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwabo as well as former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, for their contribution to humanity.
The Zik Award was the initiative of the Public Policies Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), which was established in 1994 as a non-political and non-governmental body for making input into public policy formulation in Nigeria.
Babalola said ‘’I have always been a great fan of Azikwe while growing up. I have always regarded the great Zik of Africa as one of the greatest Nigerians ever. As a young man, I remember how I used to travel several miles in Ado-Ekiti to the District Office at Oke Bareke to read The Pilot Newspapers published by Zik. I also had a soft spot for the Weekend Catechism, which was written by the late Dr. Mbonu Ojike.
“The writings of these two individuals inspired me and instilled in me the spirit of nationalism, leadership and philanthropy for which I am being honoured today.
“On the Zik Award, I am greatly inspired. It shows the world is still watching me and is interested in me. This award simply means I’m now ranked as one of the world leaders who, in one capacity or the other, is making efforts to impact on humanity and promote peace”.
The frontline lawyer, farmer and educationist as well as humanist dedicated the Award to his parents who he said worked hard to see him through school, despite their modest earnings as peasant farmers.
Former Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was the chairman of the occasion, congratulated the awardees for deserving and winning “one of the most treasured prizes in Africa”.
The elder statesman noted that the awardees were not only prominent citizens but outstanding achievers in their various areas of hman endeavour.
He lamented that the current problems bedeviling nation were almost non-existent during the time of the late Azikwe and other nationalists.
Said he: “This event, once again, brings to the fore a reflection of the era of Zik, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and Dr. Denis Osadebey. In those years, the youths were full of hope, while the four regions were developing and progressing socially and economically.
“We are talking of an era where corruption had not become a monster as it is now; when there was security in virtually every part of the country. There seems no way we can tackle our challenges for a federal restructuring. Let us all challenge our leaders to discard self-interest and restructure governance so that Nigeria can return to peaceful economic progress, which it once enjoyed before the military takeover in 1996’.