PCC Chief Commissioner, Igbawua gets Nkwame Nkrumah leadership award

The Chief Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Barrister Chile Igbawua has been conferred with the late Kwame Osageyfo Nkrumah leadership award on Thursday for his outstanding performance that saw the Nigeria’s Ombudsman a force to reckon around the globe.

The award was conferred by the International Centre for Peace and Charity based in Accra Ghana.

Speaking at the ocassion which took place in the conference hall of Public Complaints Commission, Maitama, Abuja, the Country Director of International Centre for Peace and Charity, Hon. Israel Balogun stressed that, the PCC Chief Commissioner has so far played a leadership of cohesion and African integration, an ideals that were in tandem with the late Nkwame Nkrumah ideology.

Earlier, Dr. Chima Chibuike of the International Centre for Peace and Charity stated that the organisation is the promoter of Kwame Osageyfo Nkrumah’s ideals in order to make Africans realise what the late Ghanaian Prime Minister desired for Africa before he died.

Chibuike noted that the award would have taken place earlier, but for the global challenge of COVID-19, it was delayed.

He said, “I want to really appreciate you, the Chief Commissioner and
without wasting time, I want to introduce members of my team.

“Its unfortunate that Mr. Boateng who suppose to come from Ghana couldn’t make it due to COVID-19 complications, but was eager to be with us.

Hon. Balogun revealed that the PCC’s Chief Commissioner was listed out for the award during the World Public Service Day held in Accra, Ghana for his quality leadership in uniting the African subregion.

He said: “The Chief Commissioner, other Commissioners, Directors. It’s a good day and greetings to you all.

“It does not need an emphasis, that it’s about time for vital regional cohesion and African integration.

“Chile Igbawua, the Chief Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission He has lived the ideals of the great Kwameh Nkruma.

“The International Centre for Peace and Charity, Accra, Ghana, is the promoter of Kwameh Nkruma legacies and ideologies, the organiser of Kwame Nkrumah Osageyfo International lecture.

“The last lecture held at Labardi Beach, Accra in commemoration of world public service day on 23rd June, 2020, Hon. Igbawua is one of the few Africans that was listed out.

“This honour is particularly made in recognition of Nkrumahism traits and ideals of integrity, Africanism, African regional integration, patriotism, doggedness, resilience in raising the bar of impactful public service in West African subregion.

“Especially so, as Hon. Igbawua is the Chief Ombudsman of Nigeria and moreso, as regional coordinator for West Africa Ombudsman Mediator Association which led to IOA conference that held in Nigeria that attracted all members country which was applauded the world over.

“Hon. Chile Igbawa is a pan Afeicanist, Nigerian democrat, Administrator and legal luminary. It is strongly hoped across the region that this presentation made to Igbawua today would spur him to work harder as far as regional integration and cohesion is concerned.”

Responding, the Hon. Chief Commissioner, who was flanked by a Commissioner, Directors and Staff of the agency appreciated the Ghana based outfit for the recognition accorded him.

Gentlemen of the press. Let me start by expressing our appreciation to the International Centre for Peace and Charity.

He recalled how the late Kwameh Nkruma lived a life not only for Ghanaians, but for Africans, noting that the late Icon was dogged and resilient on African issues.

“I was thinking in the course of this award, elements of Nkrumahism, of doggedness and persistence have been evident.

“The International Centre for Peace and Charity have made this offer like they said last year. But because of the advent of COVID-19, it could not materialise at a time of its intendment, but they have never relented to remind me that they could provide alternatives to ensure that this ocassion holds.

“Today, it’s to the glory of God that we are able to hold this in the hall of the Public Complaints Commission in Nigeria.

“Most of us does not need to know who Dr. Nkwameh Nkruma Osageyfo of Ghana is.

“Above all other elements and traits, Kwameh Nkruma is known as a pan Africanist. He is the strongest of all that he represented in the short life that he lived and it’s worthy of note to remind ourselves that not how long you lived, but the impact, you are able to make on the society at a time that you are alive on this earth.

“And it is very obvious that as you read literature that Kwameh Nkruma lived, he impacted not just Africa continent, but the whole world.

“He is quoted lavishly in writings across the world because of the principles which he held firmly; which he propagated; which he exhibited in terms of character and integrity.

“I feel flattered to be associated with him, but I say it is a big challenge when you are expected to be at ocassions that seem of very high heights.

“But if there are no challenges in life, life will be a dull thing and based on this consideration that I want to thank the International Centre for Peace and Charity”, Igbawua said.