Governor Dapo Abiodun CON of Ogun State was recognized yesterday with the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service for his outstanding contributions to security. The award ceremony, held at the State House Conference Centre, highlighted his significant yet often underappreciated efforts in enhancing security across Ogun State.
Governor Abiodun’s initiatives, such as providing security vans to all security operatives, including the So-Safe Corps, have bolstered the state’s security infrastructure, ensuring effective surveillance and rapid response capabilities.
Additionally, strategic security checkpoints have been established at key locations, further ensuring the protection of lives and property.
The 2024 Nigerian Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS), held in Abuja, saw Governor Abiodun and six other state governors recognized for their interventions in specific sectors. Governor Abiodun won the Distinguished Award for Security Delivery (State).
The other honored governors were Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, and Mohammed Bago of Niger State.
The awards, organized by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and The Best Strategic PR (TBS), were presented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In total, 40 eminent Nigerians were recognized, including IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Aliko Dangote, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service Wale Adeniyi, CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso, Executive Chairman of FIRS Zach Adedeji, former SGF Boss Mustapha, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, GCEO of NNPC Mele Kyari, and Chair of EFCC Olanipekun Olukoyede.
Other recipients included the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu; House Representatives members James Faleke and Aliyu Betara; Senator Musa Sanni; Chief of Defense Staff General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar; President of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote; DG of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Chair of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Abike Dabiri; and a Commissioner from Borno State, Zuwaira Gambo.
The award ceremony also honored the Director-General of the DSS Yusuf Bichi, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, DG of NIA Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, retired federal permanent secretary Olusegun Adekunle, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Ibrahim Hadejia, Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, and Danda Lawal.
