Gombe INEC REC gets Thomas Sankara Leadership Prize
Chima Azubuike
The Gombe State Resident Electoral Commissioner Umar Ibrahim, on Thursday was awarded Thomas Sankara Leadership Prize for integrity and transparency.
Presenting the award to the REC, Secretary-General of Youth Partnership for Africa Development, Kewul Suleh, commended Ibrahim’s effort in the smooth conduct of elections in Gombe State.
Suleh, who urged him not to desist from the characters which have distinguished him, said Ibrahim’s likes were required across various spheres of life.
According to the organisation, Ibrahim was selected following what they described as track record of integrity, adding that he gave every side equal opportunities to carry out their activities.
He said, “Your hard work and dedication to national service.High administrative acumen and selfless leadership ideology. Your well-articulated policies driven by your high administrative prudence and selfless leadership ideology which alongside your ever supportive team ensured that the election conducted in Gombe State during the just concluded general election is nothing short of free, fair and credible against all odd and challenges faced before and during the electioneering process.
“You are a team player who carries everyone along in your decision making irrespective of tribe, religion or gender. You are a leader with zero tolerance to corruption, nepotism or favoritism. Charity to the less privileged and the downtrodden in the society which is in line with Thomas Sankara ideology.”
On her part, Vice President Francine Etongo, lauded Ibrahim’s leadership acumen adding “Your exemplary lifestyle which promotes the African Moral values and is worthy of emulation by the youths, including others too numerous to be mentioned in prints.”
Responding, Ibrahim urged youths to get set to take ownership, stressing that the youth population could determine who leads them.
He lamented the situation where many were yet to realize their power, but rely on what they are given by unscrupulous politicians to cause violence and destabilise the process.
“It is more of our problem, than their problem. It’s either we have not brought them up properly or there is something wrong in between.
“We should all come together to see that we change the narratives,” he added.
