Photos: Joke Silva, General Gowon, Oshiomole Others Honoured In London By GLEEHD Foundation

Headlining a weeklong chain of events in London to celebrate
the success of Nigeria over the past 100 years, GLEEHD Foundation in
partnership with the Commonwealth Democracy Initiative, ROSTRA Consulting &
Amandla Consulting hosted the cream de la cream of the Nigerian Public and
Private sector at a Gala and Award Night to recognise the contribution of
Eminent Nigerians and Nigeria’s Emerging Leaders on March 11, 2014 as Nigeria
celebrates its Centenary.

The Gala Award Night honoured the contribution of Nigerian
luminaries and other exceptional Nigerians at the Sheraton Park Lane Mayfair
Hotel in London which had the participation of Commonwealth Leaders, British
and Nigerian Political Leaders, Friends of Nigeria and Nigerians in Diaspora.

Speaking at the Gala, Dayo Israel, GLEEHD Foundation’s
Director for Africa said “Tonight we gather here to say thank you to those
whose effort have contributed to the continuous growth and progress of our
nation Nigeria in the last 100years, those who through thick and thin have
sacrificed to ensure the dignity of our nation is upheld, and the emerging
leaders of these generation who would be responsible for keeping the flame
alive – as we celebrate, we inspire others to rise and play their part in
rebuilding the Nigeria of our dream.”

The award aimed to grace the lives and achievements of
Eminent Nigerians and Nigeria’s luminaries of the last 100 years, leaders who
have shown exceptional imagination, foresight or resilience in a number of key
fields – especially leaders that have reversed trends, shaken of traditional
limitations, and acted as an example and inspiration to others.

The event also saw the presentation of the “Keepers of the
Flame” Award to young inspirational Nigerians; Nigerian of the Century Award to
General Yakubu Gowon – Chief MKO Abiola, HIM Oba Adesoji Aderemi, HIM Oba
Okunade Sijuade and Chief Obafemi Awolowo; and the Outstanding Contribution to
Women and Youth through Governance to a joint recipient of President Goodluck
Jonathan and Dame Patience Jonathan.

 Speaker of the House
of Representative – Rt. Hon Tambuwal and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu were also
recipient of the A.D King Prize for Courage in Leadership; while Senate
President David Mark and The National Assembly of Nigeria jointly received the
CDI Prize for Outstanding Contribution under Exceptional Circumstances for
their roles in the last days of President Yar’Adua and for introducing the
Doctrine of Necessity to save the nation from collapse.

In his remarks, Gowon expressed gratitude to the organisers
especially GLEEHD Foundation and urged Nigerians to continue to strive for
excellence as the nation entered another century.

Guests at the event included over 5 Nigerian Governors
including Yuguda of Bauchi, Oshiomole of Edo, Uduaghan of Delta; and Representatives
of the Governors of Kwara State, Osun State, Oyo State and Plateau State;
Baroness Lynda Chalker – Chair of the Honorary International Investors’
Council; Lord Alan Watson of Richmond and Chair of the Commonwealth Democracy
Initiative; Chairman of Etisalat Nigeria – Mr Hakeem Belo-Osagie; Chairman of
the Nigerian Economic Summit Group – Foluso Phillips, Speaker of the Oyo State
House of Assembly Rt Hon Monsurat Sunmonu, M.D of Nigeria’s Bank of Industry –
Dr. Evelyn Oputu, Representatives of the Ooni of Ife – Their Royal Highnesses
Oba Adeyemi Adediran the Owa Omiran of Esa Oke and Laroka of Wanikin Oba Kole
Ojutalayo, Senator Gbenga Obadara – Chairman Senate Committee on Privatisation;
Senator Gyang Pwajok; Dr. Charles Akinola; Mr. Olu Jacobs and Mrs Joke Silva,
Former President of Nigeria General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s Minister of Power –
Prof Chinedu Osita Nebo; Mrs Eniola Fadayomi – President of the Nigerian
Institute of Directors; and many others.