John Onoja, commander of the mining marshals of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has been recognised for his role in combating illegal mining.
Onoja received the “nation builder for protection against illegal mining’’ award at the third Nigeria’s Nation Builders annual awards held in Abuja.
The event was organised by the National Council for Civil Society Organisations (NACCSO) in partnership with the Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative.
Emmanuel Johnny, NACCSO national president, said the award was “a pat on the back and a push to do more’’ for the mining marshal commander.
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Johnny said Onoja’s work has helped safeguard mineral assets and “reverse Nigeria’s revenue fortune”.
Onoja thanked the organisers for the recognition, noting that he places national interest above personal interest.
He dedicated the award to Ahmed Audi, commandant-general of the NSCDC, and attributed recent gains recorded by the mining marshals to guidance from the corps leadership.
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He also acknowledged the support of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, and Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals.
Other recipients at the event included C.G. Musa, former chief of defence staff (CDS); Dantani Wushishi, registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO); Silas Agara, director-general of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE); Ifeanyi Henry Uche, head of the Police National Cybercrime Centre; and Aisha Ahmed Audi, president of CDOWA.
The organisers said the awards spotlight individuals contributing to better governance in the country.
In August, Onoja warned that the menace of illegal mining threatened Nigeria’s economy, environment, and national security.
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He spoke at a media parley organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) federal capital territory (FCT) council in Abuja.
