The President, Shippers’ Association Lagos State (SALS), Rev. Dr. Jonathan Nicol has bagged the prestigious Pan Africa Distinguished Achievers’ Award (PADAA) from the Pan Africa Journalists and Broadcasters with headquarters in Accra, Ghana.
Jonathan bagged the award alongside three other eminent Nigerians including the Nigeria’s Chief Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Managing Director of the Unity Bank of Nigeria and the President, Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja.
Speaking shortly before the award presentation, a representative of the Pan Africa Journalists and Broadcasters, Mr. Baba Adamu explained that awards were part of the association’s 5th conference in Ghana with the theme, “The Development of Africa through Technological education”.
Adamu noted that having realized that there was a lot of unemployment in Africa and that the only way it can be curtailed in Africa was having to educate the youths on technological enhancement prompted the choice of the theme of the conference.
He however regretted that Rev. Nicol was not able to attend where other distinguished Nigerians were also honoured thus the reason the award was presented to him in his office in Lagos.
According to him,” We are not giving Rev. Dr. Nicol Award but we want to recognize his contributions to strategic national development of Africa. A lot of Africans who has done so well that we must recognize, we felt it is high time Africa will have to showcase Africans who have done well. In fact General Buratai was there, he was honoured, the MD of Unity Bank, Rev. Nicol and the president of Industrial Court in Abuja too was honoured.
“So, we are not just giving them Award but we recognize them so that African youths will see them as role models. Gone were the days when we have people like Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and we did say we will like to be like them but now we no longer see youths say, I want to be like this or I want to be like that person even though there are people who have contributed their own quota to African development.
“Sir, you have done well and we are happy to associate with you and your contributions cannot be overemphasized, we want to tell you that your contributions were noted by the African Journalists and Broadcasters and we wish you more grease to your elbow sir”.
Responding, the recipient, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Nicol appreciated the body for recognizing his little effort here in Nigeria all the way from Ghana describing the Award as an honour to the Shippers’ Association Lagos State which he represents.
“I didn’t know I was doing anything for you to come all the way from Accra to give us this as an hounour because I represent the Shippers’ Association Lagos State. It is a wonderful recognition; it is a plus to the feathers on my cap.
“We have been involved in the new port order in Nigeria and things are taking a new turn for the best. We are working towards that goal and it is with a lot of challenges which we are beginning to resolve one after the other. I do not know how to thank you enough but I pray God will bless you and your association and we will definitely revert back to you and work together”, he said.
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