Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma has received the Sardauna National Excellence and Leadership Award as "the Governor of the Year" in the North Central Zone of Nigeria in recognition of his selfless services to the people.

The award was conferred on Governor Doma by the publishers of the Sardauna magazine at a colourful ceremony held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

Governor Doma was commended for his people oriented policies and programmes, especially in the areas of the provision of potable water, roads, housing, health, education among others, despite the meager resources accruing to the state.

While thanking the organizers for the honour and recognition, Governor Doma said that the award was a challenge to him to put in more efforts for the benefits all in the state and Nigeria at large.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the plaque of honour to Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Prominent sons and daughters of Nasarawa State who accompanied Governor Doma to receive the  award, included the Deputy Governor, Chief John Mike Abdul, Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Musa Ahmed Mohammed, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Timothy Anjide, all National Assembly members from the state, commissioners and traditional rulers.

Speaking shortly after the award, the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Barr. Mamman T. Alakayi said the exemplary leadership of Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma qualified him to be the best governor in the North Central Zone.

He said that Governor Doma "is a prudent manager of scarce resources at the disposal of his government, a rare attribute associated with past leaders of this country," adding that "it is for this reason that the people of Nasarawa State are thanking the governor for a job well done and endorsing him for re-election in 2011."