Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, has been chosen to receive an international award by the United Nations Organisation in recognition of his “Directional Leadership and Good Governance” in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

A letter to the governor, dated May 21, 2008 and signed by Ms. Claire Jackson of the MDGs International Conference Committee, London, showed that Doma, along with co-recipients drawn from Nigeria and across Africa, will be formally presented with the international award today, July 25, in London.

The choice of Governor Doma, according to a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Mohammad Ohitoto, “is an outcome of a survey exercise carried out in Nigeria and other Africa countries based on projects visitation, evidence of structural development and proven directional leadership, by a team of international experts.”

This development, said Ohitoto, “is no doubt a recognition of the current administration’s effort in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. So far, 58 village clinics spread across the 13 Local Government Areas and 16 Development Areas of the State are being renovated and equipped with essential facilities to improve the health status of the people of Nasarawa State.

“Also, as part of effort to improve the health standard of the people, 58 village clinics are being completed by a borehole each to provide portable water for the use of 58 rural communities of Nasarawa State.”

It is expected that dignitaries, including the Mayor of London, the Under Secretary of the United Nations on Sectoral Development and the Commonwealth under Secretary for Africa’s Development, among others, will be in attendance at the award ceremony.