The Tell Magazine; has awarded and declared Professor Babagana Zulum
of Borno state; as Nigeria’s Governor of the year, 2020 for courage in
leadership.
Declaring Zulum as the Governor of year Monday in Maiduguri, the
President and Editor-in-Chief of Tell Communications, Mr. Nosa Igiebor
disclosed that; “Zulum has remained consistent in his demonstration of
unconventional courage in serving Borno people, since May 29, 2020.”
The Governor of the year declaration at Government House, Maiduguri,
however, coincided with the public presentation of a compendium of
media reports on Governor Zulum, which had been publicized in advance.
While presenting the letter of nomination and award to the Governor,
Igiebor said: “Leadership entails commitments to the ideals of
selfless services and dedication to render service for the benefits of
the people you lead.
It was also learnt yesterday that; it is first time a major media
establishment in Nigeria, would follow a serving Governor to a state,
and present such an award for “leadership and integrity.”
According to him, Tell Magazine, is Nigeria’s oldest surviving news
magazine that was first published on April 15, 1991.
This was unlike, most media representatives invite personalities to
either Lagos or Abuja to receive such awards at ceremonies.
“Since your assumption of office as Governor, you have consistently
demonstrated these sterling qualities of leadership,” he declared.
He noted that Zulum’s style of leadership is an unmistakable substance
that brings in fresh air to Nigeria’s sterile political space of
self-aggrandizements.
Continued; “We are impressed by your resolve and determination to
succeed in your mandate of delivering the dividends of democracy to
the long-suffering people of Borno.
“While some other state administrators, including those whose domains
enjoy relative peace, reel out excuses to the citizenry, you have
remained undaunted in fulfilling your promise to a state that is under
siege.”
“Your boldness to state things in black and white no matter the
circumstances, has endeared you to many.”
He said that the Governor; has become the voice of the voiceless as
Zulum has proven that government is neither for the fainthearted nor
timid and criminal silence.
He maintained that good leadership and integrity, are prerequisites
for real term “growth and development.”
While declaring Zulum, Governor of the year, he said: “In view of the
impressive profile that Your Excellency has built in a relatively
short time and which has gone a long way to restore hope, not only to
the people of Borno State, but to the entire Nigerian citizenry, it is
with much delight that the Executive Directorate of Tell
Communications Limited is honoring and celebrating the most Courageous
and Result-Oriented Governor in Nigeria, Professor Babagana Umara
Zulum, with the Tell Special Award as Governor of the Year for Courage
in Leadership (2020). Congratulations sir”
Governor Zulum, in response, expressed appreciation to the management
of Tell Communications, saying he considered the award, a challenge to
do more.
Zulum described Igiebor, as one of the veteran journalists who fought
for Nigeria’s return to democracy in the 90s despite arrests and
detention, and has been holding leaders accountable, through his 43
years of journalism.
