APC Chieftain Bags Leadership Award, Reveals His Political Mentor

De Dynamic Builders Progressive Initiative (DDBPI) a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) working on advocacy and campaigns on dynamic leadership, mentorship of young leaders and policy analysis, has presented an award to Faisal Lawal, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain from Kaduna State, for exceptional leadership in the country.

Titleed “The Prestigious 2025 DDBPI Excellence in Leadership Award”, the award was presented to Lawal on Thursday in a brief ceremony at his office in Abuja.

DDBPI officials and Hon. Faisal Lawal in a group photo at his office in Abuja

During the presentation, the NGO acknowledge the impact of the politician over several decades, working in different parts of the country, noting his exceptional leadership in uniting people from the northern and southern parts of Nigeria.

In their separate remarks, Eric Adile Iroajugh and Engineer Anthony Adeola, officials of DDBPI, the awardee has been analyzed and studied for years before deciding to confer the award on him.

According to DDBPI, Lawal’s experiences while working in both the north and south of Nigeria, has made him a dynamic leader with a rare capacity, and urged young people to learn from him.

In an interview, Paul Mamman, another official of the NGO, said emphasizes that one of the exceptional leadership qualities of Mr Lawal is his openness and acceptance of all without discrimination, as well as his diverse experiences.

‘I know him over some years now and I can tell you even at this moment, I don’t even know his tribe because he believes in one Nigeria and has the ideology of a true nationalist,’ he said, adding that if all leaders are like Lawal, Nigeria would have been better than where it is today.

Stating further, Mr Mamman said that their NGO is committed to working with leaders that have the people and country at heart and are working towards the upliftment of lives of their people, to ensure sustainable development.

Lawal, now the Special Assistant to Sen. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was a former Special Adviser to Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo State, where he served in an ambassadorial role between Imo and northern Nigeria.

Lawal is also a current board member, Nigerian Maritime Academy, Orun, Akwai Ibom State.

While in Kaduna State, Lawal also served in different capacities under two former governors, Nnamadi Sambo and the late Patrick Yakowa respectively.

In his response, Mr Lawal expressed gratitude to the NGO, assuring them of his continues commitment in touching the lifes of the people and contributing to nation building and the development of the Nigerian state.

He equally remarked that the lack of quality leadership is one of the major problems facing Nigeria over several decades.

However, Lawal said that his leadership capacity is the result of the training and mentorship he received from his principles over the years.

He said that while serving under Mr. Okorocha, the former governor has granted him important tasks and opportunities that contributed in shaping his ideology, foresight and how to face and manage contemporary challenges at any given time.

‘After serving under Nnamadi Sambo and late Yakowa, I was called upon by Rochas Okorocha to work in his government in Imo State, it was a big surprise especially being from the north and the fact that I didn’t contributed to or work during his campaing, the decision to accept the offer came with some hesitation but I eventually accepted,’ he explained.

He acknowledged that most of the things he has learned in politics and in the public service are from Governor Rochas, who he described as his ‘father and mentor’ in politics.

These and other opportunities, he said are what brought him to where he is today.

Lawal called on young people to excersis patience in seeking leadership positions, emphasizing that mentorship is key in building strong leadership in the country.

Also in an interview with this reporter, some staffs of Mr Lawal acknowledge his leadership qualities and potentials.

They said that the award is not surprising to them because of their knowledge of his capacity and several awards he has received on excellent leadership.

‘Working for him is a great honor for me, it is continues learning process and a rare privilege, I am confident that something big is in-store for him in the future. I wish him to one day become the president of Nigeria,’ Fatima Aminu, Mr. Lawal staff, said.

‘My boss is the most humble and down to earth person i have ever meet, and his generosity is second to none. I think with these qualities, he will conquer everywhere,’ Badamasi Shuaibu, another Lawal staff, said.