DEMOCRACY WATCH INTERNATIONAL, a leading UK-based non-partisan citizens group, advocating democratic reforms, government accountability...
DEMOCRACY WATCH INTERNATIONAL, a leading UK-based non-partisan citizens group, advocating democratic reforms, government accountability and corporate responsibility, in conjunction with XCEL MEDIA, publishers of the famous XCEL International Magazine brand, has announced that they will honour select Nigerians who have played significant roles in fighting and speaking against the retrogressive abuse of constitutional and democratic institutions in Nigeria.
The AFRICAN GRAND AWARDS (AGA) seeks to identify and encourage personalities within and outside the Nigerian political turf who have contributed tremendously to defend the hard earned democracy Nigeria now enjoys.
The Award titled; "NIGERIA’S DEFENDERS OF DEMOCRACY, 2017" seek to recognize Nigerians who have played significant role in fighting and speaking against the abuse of constitutional and democratic institutions. Men and women who are willing to stake their lives and fortune if need be, to ensure that democracy and rule of law thrives unhindered in Nigeria.
Speaking to Journalists, Mr. Barth Emuekpere, President, XCEL MEDIA Conglomerate and Publisher of XCEL International Magazine, who is the Country coordinator of the project, revealed that the 2018 Awards are in two categories – NIGERIA’S DEFENDERS OF DEMOCRACY and 10 MOST OUTSTANDING AFRICANS 2017 AWARDS. According to him, the awards have become necessary in view of the all-important messages they portend for the Continent. While the Outstanding Africans Awards seek to celebrate role models in Africa, the Nigeria’s Defenders of Democracy Award is aimed at bringing to the fore, the all-important role of the opposition in democratic governance, noting that “… a democratic system devoid of a vibrant opposition will certainly glide towards autocracy and dictatorship.”
Speaking on the modus operandi, he revealed that the choice will be that of Nigerians and Africans in general to make, adding that the just concluded nominations for the Nigeria’s Defenders of Democracy Awards is an outcome of a nation-wide public poll which was done through SMS and online voting through the awards website aga.xcelmedia.net. He further revealed that the process has finally culminated in the shortlist of the 30 nominees with the highest number of nominations. According to him, the final stage of voting for the top 10 will soon commence after unveiling the 30 Nominees.
He however thanked Nigerians who took out time to participate in the exercise, adding that the nomination for the 10 Most Outstanding Africans Awards is still ongoing on the same website. In conclusion, he reminded Nigerians and Africans in general that the task to reposition the nation and continent on the path of greatness is a collective responsibility, while urging Nigerians to continue in the same spirit of patriotism as soon as the voting for the final winners is declared open.
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