Soyinka wins Awolowo Prize for Leadership

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, was on Wednesday named the winner of the maiden edition of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership by its selection committee.

The committee chairman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, told newsmen in Lagos that Soyinka was chosen because he possessed the attributes expected of the winner of the prize.

He stated that the prize would be awarded every two years, consisting of a medal, a certificate and a plaque.

Anyaoku also said nominees for the prize were expected to have demonstrated, to a substantial degree, the attributes considered to have characterised the leadership style of the first Premier of the Western Region, such as integrity, credibility, courage, selflessness, accountability, tenacity of purpose, visionary and people-centred leadership, respect for the rule of law and press freedom.