Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, has been confirmed winner of the 2022 International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), Africa Leadership and All Round Good Governance Award.
Mr Paul Pever-Gom, IHRC Country Director and Special Envoy, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Pever-Gom said that the IHRC Africa Regional Headquarters’ end-of-the-year extra-ordinary congress spotlighted the role of projects to improve the lives of people in rural areas in Africa.
According to him, the presentation centred on how his projects have positively impacted the quality of life of the people and the potentials of the projects to promote the socio-economic future for all.
“All participants at the congress called on the Director/Ambassador of the Africa Region HQ of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) to consider commending His Excellency, Dave Umahi, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, for demonstrating strong skills in as follows.
“Proactively managing important and time-sensitive projects in the life of his administration.
“Developing innovative solutions to critical problems of projects execution.
“Balancing stakeholders’ expectations with those of the government.
“Working collaboratively with his team to establish efficient systems operations for success,” he said.
He added that, given the evidence presented during the debate by the participants, the effects of the Dave Umah administration have led to;
“Executing a number of highly-profitable projects with reasonable budgets like managing the meagre accounts of the State to achieve prestigious projects.
“Contributing and possessing strong and valuable capabilities in project management.
“Consequently, the outcome was praise for the Ebonyi State Government, backed by the resolution of IHRC Africa Region HQ in Nairobi, Kenya.
“To fully view the Ebonyi State governor as an ideal person to get one of IHRCs prestigious International status awards in 2022,” he said.
Pever-Gom said regarding these displays of a rare determination in developing Ebonyi from a rural state to a modern and dynamic state, the IHRC conducted an independent survey which rated the Ebony government administration high.
“Its commitment towards addressing the development needs of rural communities of the state adjudged the governor’s performance as sterling, having achieved a tremendous legacy of deploying state resources on priority areas.
“These are infrastructure development, job creation and provision of adequate security, good governance and the war against corruption,” he said.
He added that some of Umahi administration’s projects inspected were ‘the world class Ecumenical center, the President Buhari light flyover, the wonders of Akanu Iblam round about, and the best and most beautiful international market in West Africa.
“The Ebony state international airport, Sir Offia Nwali flyover, Ezzamgbo; Dualisation of Abakaliki-Enugu expressway; Dualisation of Abakaliki/Afikpo road.
“The world-class shopping mall; Dave Umahi medical and Technology college, which is the best in Africa,” he said.
This, he said, showed Umahi’s sincerity and passion to excel which has borne such fruitful results.
He said that Umahi had kept his dedication firm and did not budge or give up any time in between, in spite of various distractions.
Pever-Gom said that Umahi’s commitment had been recognized as a model for the pride of Africa.
According to him, Nigerians must be feeling on top of the world because a Nigerian governor has achieved so much in such a little time.
He added that the award was just the beginning of his glorious political career and encouraged him to keep up the good work, and also provide a formal acceptance of the award and an official notice of his preparedness for the event in Ebonyi State.