Nigeria’s former Minister of state for Education and current Adviser on Special Duties to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Agada, has been nominated for the Kwameh Nkrumah Leadership Award. Agada spoke to ENE OSANG on how he feels being nominated for such an award
The Kwame Nkrumah Leadership award initiated by the All-Africa Students Union (AASU) in 2001 has featured prominent leaders across the African continent, who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour over the years. It also inducts its recipients into the Pan-African Hall of Fame.
According to the nomination letter sent to Prof. Agada, the Secretary General of AASU, Ambassador Olufemi Lawson, said the award is for the ‘Most Outstanding Plenipotentiary Personality in Africa’.
“This award/Induction, given its importance is bestowed on eminent sons and daughter, institutions, and corporate organisations concerns of Africa origin, who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour,” the letter said.
“Yours is not an exception as AASU wishes to encourage and motivate you to higher excellence with the award and induction into the AASU Hall of Fame, taking historic cognisance of your past and present dexterous achievements as an Educationist, Scholar, strong advocate of Educational Development, Youth empowerment, grassroots and egalitarianism which you have committed so much in the past as former Minister of Education, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Culture, Youth and Sport.
“This is a monumental honour of dignity for outstanding commitment, dedication and inspirational leaderships. It involves the receipt of the Kwame Nkrumah leadership award plague, as well as name entry into a commemorative panel that will be placed at AASU Secretariat’s 21st century of achievement Hall of Fame,” it added.
Expressing satisfaction on the nomination, Prof. Agada said he was surprised, disclosing that he had no idea about such award before he was called.
“Firstly, I got a text on my mobile phone that I have been nominated for award and that they were going to bring the letter to me but I asked how they arrived at my name and know am to be given such an award. They explained that it was during their convention at their headquarters that people were nominated, they voted and I emerged as the best for the award.
“I was surprised because sincerely I never knew about such an award before, but I know I deserve the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership award and I feel proud because to be associated with the legend Kwame Nkrumah is something good. I was happy when I saw the classes of people that have received the award before me. I then thanked God that I am recognised in terms of leadership, this shows that my commitment to work over the years is appreciated. I want assure Nigeria to expect the best from me in contributing to national development.
“I have served in many capacities in my life from a civil servant I rose to the pinnacle by becoming a Permanent Secretary in the Benue state civil service and I served as Permanent Secretary in almost all the ministries in Benue state. Before then, I was Executive Secretary of the Benue state examination board where I resigned as a Permanent Secretary. I also served as Chairman of the governing council, National Commission for Colleges of Education as well as, National President, Association of Nigerian Authors so, I can pick an award from any of the areas because I have handled each of the areas in excellence.
“I am a Professor now and that Professorship was awarded to me for my creative writing by the European American University Common Wealth of Dominica as a result of my proficiency in Education with particular reference to writing. so I was thinking that with all these happening around me, I am not operating in a whole people are seeing me, in terms of writing they are aware that until the past three years one of the novels that I wrote titled ‘the Successor’ has been in the syllabus for jamb exams so with all these, if anybody gives me award for leadership I am not surprised because I think I am qualified.
The SA who in 2003 contested but lost the governorship election in Benue state said, Nigeria has recognised his efficiency several times through the various appointments he has gotten.
“Right now I am in the office of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the largest party in Africa as his Special Assistant on Special Duties and to me, all these appointments are marks of recognition. Though I have not been given National honour or the likes of it, but I am not bothered about that.
He appraised the current political terrain, saying opposition in politics enhances growth and development, he however urged politicians not to see politics as a do or die affair.
“I think our politics is in the right direction because all the political parties are on their toes getting ready for the 2015 elections. People should talk, argue, criticise but I advise people to criticise constructively because any sitting government learns from such constructive criticism, but when you criticise for the purpose of destroying that is bad and as a politician one is not afraid of arguing, lobbying or sacking because these things makes politics.
“Nigerians should make sure that politics is not done with the feeling of do or die. Let there be politics without bitterness, let people recognise others rights in other words; live and let’s live so that at the end of the day the much talked about democracy will thrive.
“Let there be no killing, riot, thuggery and other things that makes politics looks ugly should be eliminated because this democracy has existed for many years, we are progressing and we must be mature in our practice of politics so that at the end of the day we can arrive in the type of democracy in areas that we have copied from like places like America.”