All Roads Lead to National Assembly as Parliament Diary Holds 6th Lecture Series, Honours Outstanding Nigerians

All Roads Lead to National Assembly as Parliament Diary Holds 6th Lecture Series, Honours Outstanding Nigerians

By Naomi Onome

The stage is set for one of the nation’s most anticipated legislative and policy gatherings as The Parliament Diary Newspaper prepares to host the 6th edition of its annual Lecture Series and Award Ceremony on Monday, June 29, 2026, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

The event, themed “Steering the Ship: Building a Resilient Nigeria,” will bring together top government officials, lawmakers, diplomats, traditional rulers, business leaders, academics and civil society stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and promoting sustainable national development.

According to the organisers, this year’s lecture series is designed to stimulate critical conversations on governance, legislative leadership, fiscal reforms and national resilience while recognising distinguished Nigerians who have made remarkable contributions in public service, politics, diplomacy, business, academia and humanitarian work.

The event will be chaired by Rt. Hon. Dr. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, PhD, Chairman of the House Committee on Protocols, Treaties and Agreements in the 9th National Assembly.

The Chief Guest of Honour is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, while an array of eminent personalities will attend as Special Guests of Honour.

Among them are the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori; the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin Ibrahim; the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olayide Adelami; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources, Senator AbdulAziz Abubakar Yari; Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, APC 2027 governorship candidate; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Also expected at the ceremony are the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Rt. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; immediate past President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, ESV (Chief) Victor Adekunle Alonge; President and Chief Executive Officer of Bauhaus International Limited, Chief Dr. Victor Chukwuemeka Onukwugha; and the Commission Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Rose Omoa Oriaran-Anthony, among other distinguished guests.

The traditional institution will also be represented at the occasion, with HRH Barr. Joel S. Aninge, PhD, MFR, Odyong Nyankpa of Nyankpa Chiefdom, serving as the Royal Father of the Day, while Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, Chairperson of the Senators’ Spouses Association, will grace the occasion as the Mother of the Day.

Providing the intellectual thrust of the programme is Prof. Oyadiran Phillip Adeyinka, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Gowon University, Abuja, who will deliver the keynote lecture.

His presentation is expected to examine the role of legislative leadership, institutional reforms, fiscal responsibility and effective governance in strengthening Nigeria’s resilience amid prevailing economic, political and security challenges.

A major highlight of the event will be the presentation of awards to individuals and institutions whose contributions have significantly impacted governance, leadership, public administration, diplomacy, humanitarian service, real estate development and national unity.

Among the award recipients is Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin Ibrahim, who will receive the Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award, while Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori will be honoured with the Outstanding Governor of the Year Award for Governance and Development.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, will receive the Outstanding Politician of the Year Award, while Senator AbdulAziz Abubakar Yari will be recognised with the Africa’s Legislative Leader for Humanitarian Impact and National Unity Award.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, will receive the Best Performing Senator of the Year Award, while Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada will be honoured as the Outstanding Public Officer of the Year.

Members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oforji Oboku and Hon. Julius Pondi, will receive awards for legislative excellence and outstanding service.

Other notable awardees include Rt. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who will receive the Africa’s Voice for Diaspora Affairs and Legislative Advocacy Award; Dr. Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, honoured with the Mother of the Nation Award for Compassionate Leadership; Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, recipient of the Africa’s Champion of Fiscal Reform and Economic Transformation Award; and Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who will receive the Grand Ambassador of Nigerian Diplomacy Award.

The event will also celebrate excellence in the private sector and professional bodies, with Chief Dr. Victor Chukwuemeka Onukwugha receiving the Real Estate Development and Housing Delivery Icon of the Year Award, while ESV (Chief) Victor Adekunle Alonge will be honoured as the Distinguished Professional Leader and Real Estate Reform Champion.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, Ambassador Jake Epelle, will receive the Africa’s Champion of Disability Rights and Inclusive Democracy Award, while Hon. Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete, Executive Director of Business Development at NEXIM Bank, will be recognised as the Iconic Woman Leader of the Year.

Other award recipients include Mrs. Rose Omoa Oriaran-Anthony, Commission Secretary of INEC; Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme; and His Royal Majesty Achiame Friday Odini Abaja, Ukwata I of Umukwata Kingdom, alongside several distinguished personalities from academia, humanitarian organisations, the veterinary profession, the diaspora community and the legal profession.

Institutional honours will also be presented to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) as Government Agency of the Year and ALDRAP for its contributions to legislative advocacy.

Speaking ahead of the event, the management of The Parliament Diary Newspaper described the lecture series as more than an awards ceremony, saying it represents a national platform for policy dialogue and reflection.

According to the organisers, the theme underscores the urgent need for leaders across all sectors to strengthen institutions capable of withstanding economic, political and security challenges confronting the country.

They noted that while deserving Nigerians would be honoured for exemplary leadership and service, the event would also challenge public office holders, professionals and stakeholders to recommit themselves to nation-building and institutional development.

The organisers expressed confidence that the gathering would attract senators, members of the House of Representatives, governors, ministers, ambassadors, traditional rulers, captains of industry and representatives of civil society organisations from across the country.

They also invited interested individuals and organisations to participate, partner or sponsor the event through the designated contact lines and official email provided by the newspaper.

For participation, partnership, and sponsorship, contact:
08050202443, 08036443430, 08020505121
Email: theparliamentdiary@gmail.com