SIR FERDINAND IKECHUKWU ANIKWE

Sir Anikwe Ferdinand Ikechukwu was born on the 15^th of February, 1957 at Ihuonyia, Amansiodo Oghe, Ezeagu Local Government Area in Enugu State, Nigeria.  He had his primary education at Community Primary School, Ihuoya, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State between 1964 – 1972. His Elementary Education was stopped by the Nigerian Civil War which began in 1967. However, he completed it in 1972 after cessation of hostilities.

His educational progression continued in 1973 with his admission into Awo-Omamma Comprehensive Secondary School, Orlu, Imo State. He finished his post-primary education in 1977.  

Between 1981 and 1985, Sir Anikwe attended the prestigious University of Port Harcourt, River State where he bagged his first degree: Bachelor of Science in Political Science Education.

In 1995, he earned a Master degree in Public Administration in Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu State. He also studied and received another master in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria in 2011.

His Doctoral Research in Public Administration at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State is near completion. 

Sir Ferdinand Anikwe began his career in the public service as a Field Assistant, Federal Office of Statistics, Research and Publicity between 1977 and 1981 when he gained admission into University of Port Harcourt.  Among other work experience he acquired, Sir Anikwe was:

·        a School Teacher at Baptist Secondary School, Port Harcourt as Youth Corper in 1986 – 1987,

·        the President and Founder of Enugu New Breed Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd. in 1987.

·        Primarily, as result of trust reposed in him and exemplary leadership,elected as Ezaeagu Local Government Chairman, in Enugu State. He served between 1988 and 1989.

·        General Manager, Newsman Newspapers 1990 – 1992.

·        Member, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Board 1992 – 1993.

·        Director-General, Ministry of Information and Culture, Enugu State – 1993 – 1994

·        Sole Administrator/General Manager, Enugu State Council for Art and Culture – 1994 – 2005

·        Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism – 2005 – 2011.

·        Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Chieftaincy, Enugu State,

2012 – 2014.

At a time accountability was missing in public life, as the chairman of Ezeagu local government council in Enugu State, he showed exemplary prudence in management of funds. He constructed a 10 kilometer road from Akama – Oghe to Aguobu Owa in Enugu State with N720,000 grant by the Federal Government.

As a prolific manager of culture and heritage, Sir Anikwe organized, nurtured and directed the Enugu State Cultural Troupe.

He presented the most spectacular masquerade at the National Cultural Festival at Abuja in 2004.

The Association of Enugu State Development Unions in recognition of Sir Ferdinand Anikwe’s enviable strides and achievements awarded him the Most Outstanding Civil Servant of the Year in 2014.

He also received the Special Recognition Award from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations for his industry and outstanding contributions which has impacted positively on Nigeria’s Reputation.  

The Oghe Social Development Association (Women’s Wing) Abuja, also gave him a special recognition in appreciation of his total commitment to human Development, November 2014.

Barely, three months into his appointment, he successfully organized in November 2014 the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization International Cultural Festival/Colloquium, a mini FESTAC that for the first time brought together stars of the Nigerian Nollywood Film industry.

Sir Anikwe, an ebullient personality and workaholic, with strong administrative capability and experience in heritage and culture management has been entrusted by his recent appointment as the Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Tourism Culture and National Orientation with promoting interest in the understanding and appreciation of African Arts, Culture and Civilization.

His acumen is not restricted to public administration alone, his natural endowment and multi-talents extend into publishing. He has to his credit publications that continue to shape understanding and appreciation of African culture and defines Nigeria’s path to growth and development. He is the Editor,

-      Okenga Magazine between 1995 – 1996

-      Quotable Quotes of Nnamdi Azikiwe, 1996

-      Monumental Art Expression as Root to Nigeria Independence, 2009.

-      The role of Enugu to Independence of Nigeria, 2010.

-      The Church and the New Yam Festival, 2012. And last but not the least; the Royalty Magazine Series.

Sir Ferdinand Anikwe is happily married with children to Lady Dr. Rose Anikwe.

Mr. Mwajim Malgwi Maidugu Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Abuja

Mr. Mwajim Malgwi Maidugu belongs to a group of silent achievers that are likened to special breeds.  His class of Nigerians are distinguished and characterized first by patriotism and unreserved dedication to duty.  He is one of the quintessential  Arts and Culture administrators of our times worthy of recognition as well as an icon in his chosen field of endeavour.

Mwajim Malgwi Maidugu was born in the then Biu Division (now Hawul Local Government Area) on 10^th June, 1951 in Borno State.  He attended Marama Primary School from where he proceeded to Borno Teachers’ College and obtained his Grade II Teachers’ Certificate in 1971.

He proceeded for his School of Basic Studies (SBS) at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1973.  Thereafter he bagged a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Art with a Second Class Upper Division.  Furthermore, in pursuit for further academic excellence, he added a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and a Masters Degree in Art Education from the same University in 1982.

He taught briefly at the Borno State College of Education from 1978 to 1983 before he proceeded to the University of Maiduguri where he worked as a Lecturer in the Department of Creative Arts from 1983 to 1989.

Driven by the interest he has in the development of Nigerian Arts and Culture and the need to make his contributions felt at the national level, he transferred his services to the National Council for Arts and Culture as Assistant Director in the Department of Creative Arts in 1989.

Through commitment hardwork and resilience he rose to become second in command in the hierarchy of the Management of the Council.  By dint of resourcefulness and proactive efforts he was appointed Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer on August, 2006 - August, 2010 in the first instance.  As a result of his outstanding performance and diligence in the discharge of his duty to the Council and indeed the nation he was reappointed for another term of four (4) years with effect from August 31^st 2010.

He has continued to move the Council to greater heights through his foresight and reform oriented programmes and projects.  Below are some of  the numerous  achievements he has made to date.

$       initiated an Arts and Crafts Regional platform titled “African Arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo” which has attracted international recognition with an average participation of  sixteen (16) countries annually.

$       refocusing and positioning the annual National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) to become a platform for promoting peace and national unity as well as an avenue for job creation and economic empowerment.

$       Initiated the establishment of Crafts Development Centres geared towards growing our Arts and Culture industry into  Centres for creating wealth, generate employment as well as combat youth restiveness.

$       Re-positioned and refocused the National Research Centres on Durbar, Masquerade, Boat Regatta and Textile Traditions.  Similarly, the Council’s ten (10) zonal offices located in the six (6) geo-political zones of the country have been uplifted and given specific focus and mandate.

$       ensured maximum development and utilization of human resources thereby motivating staff in giving their best towards the upliftment of the Council.

$       his proactive attitude to work has endeared him amongst his colleagues, including the Directors of the 36 States Councils for Arts and Culture/History and Culture Bureaux and the FCT to the extent that he has presided over 19 editions of the bi-annual Chief Executives of Culture Meetings which has been very cordial and fulfilling.

$       computerized the headquarters and Zonal Offices of the Council for effective and efficient service delivery.

$       In line with the Public Service Reforms he instituted an evaluation mechanism through rigorous examinations and interviews before promotion which never existed in the Council before his tenure.  He has ensured that promotion examinations are carried out as at when due and effective and conducive working environment is in place at all times.

Mr. Maidugu, a labour friendly administrator puts the welfare of members of his staff close to his chest and a listening ear for labour matters. Through such efforts, there is a cordial synergy between Management and the Union resulting in Industrial harmony in the National Council for Arts and Culture.

He has spent a greater part of his life in advancing the course of Nigeria’s Arts and Culture at home and abroad.  To date he has participated in over 50 exhibitions at local and international level.  Similarly in his work towards the advancement of Nigerian Arts and Culture, he has travelled extensively to Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, Pakistan, India, Brazil, Germany, South Korea, America, London, China, Algeria, Cameroon, Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Italy, South Africa, Bahamas, Australia, Singapore, Kuwait amongst others.  He has also been opportuned to attend several professional courses and workshops both in Nigeria and abroad.  These exposures have surely brought to bear in his vision and focus towards repositioning the Council to be in line with best global practices.

Mr. Maidugu has been working closely with the Society for Nigerian Artists (SNA) both at the National and State levels.  It is significant to note that he provided office space to the FCT Branch of the Society.

He has received several awards and commendations both at local and international levels and has several publications to his credit.

He is a recipient of the Ahmadu Bello University Abuja Chapter Alumni Outstanding Career Service Award as well as several awards from the RATTAWU at local and national levels.

In addition, he is listed by the Leadership Newspaper as one of the Top Northern Nigerian Professionals.

Married with five children, Mwajim Malgwi Maidugu is a member of several professional organizations and enjoys travelling, reading collecting unique works of Arts and assisting the needy.

Mr. Maidugu is indeed a great and silent achiever, a man of many firsts, an astute administrator who is patient, unassuming and believes in hard-work, perseverance, loyalty and perfection.  He has contributed immensely towards the positive growth of the Arts and Culture Sector.