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Mamman Ali
Ali is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts. He is quiet and unassuming but posseses penetrating eyes for financial figures. He is also versatile in the politics of the floor and 'the other party' as the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) is described in the Senate by the majority PDP.
A hardworking committee parliamentarian, when Ali beamed his searchlight into the activities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it almost cost the Minister his job.
His painstaking revelation that one of the Minsiter's aides who earned N2m per month was a youth corp member recommends him for this award.
Born in April 1958 Ali holds HND in Civil Engineering from Kaduna Polytechnic as well as Bachelor of Science in Construction from Tuskegee University, USA. He hopes to achieve intensive attention and possible result in oil exploration and improvement in agriculture.
John Azuta-Mbata
A former Senate President-extempore, Azuta-Mbata's knowledge of the rules as well as his robust understanding of the politics of the floor places him in a good stead in the Senate. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation and Finance, his coordination and painstaking efforts ensured the quick passage of the Budget 2004.
His Committee's introduction of mandatory clauses in the 2004 Appropriation gave room for the setting aside of revenue accruing from excess crude.
Born in 1960, Azuta-Mbata holds a Masters in Public Administration; PH.D Honoris Causa from the University of Ibadan and Pacific Christian University Glendale.
His legislative interests include constitutional reforms, Niger Delta Integrated Governmental Intervention as well as environmental protection.
Uche Chukwumerije
Among his colleagues in the Senate, Chukwumerije is addressed by his alias - Comrade. Cerebral, straight-looking and strict in his dress sense, Chukwumerije stands out as an independent mind among his colleagues. It does not matter whether the issue at stake is a party's position, he would first follow his mind.
During the controversial labour bill passage, Chukwumerije remarked that the bill was the fastest in the passage of bills in the life of this Senate. He also reminded his colleagues to be wary of how posterity would assess them.
When Senator Arthur Nzeribe contrived state of emergency solution for the Anambra State crisis, Chukwumerije fired a letter to the "conspirator" and accused him of holding nocturnal meetings to create chaos in the Senate. He went further to allege that some of his colleagues were being 'induced' to act against their wishes.
In line with this, he would later stand out as the only PDP Senator who was on the floor and voted against their party's decision on the imposition of the state of emergency in Plateau State.
For Chukwumerije, his steadfastness and independent mindedness on issues before the Senate ranks him for the award.
Born in November 1939, divorced with seven children, Chukwumerije has a Bachelor's Degree in Economic from the University College, Ibadan. A former Information Minister and student unionist, the Abia North Senator hoped to achieve the dignity of the Senate, Nigeria's unity as well as political and economic growth in the Senate.
Olorunnimbe Mamora
Mamora cut his political teeth as the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker between 1999-2003.
Thereafter, he was elected Senator and he is currently the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions.
His Committee was charged with the investigation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai's allegation that certain principal officers of the Senate demanded bribe before he was cleared as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Not just that. He also investigated the plot to oust the Senate President Adolphus Wabara, from office.
A fearless, outspoken and a thorough parliamentarian, Mamora's knowledge of the rules has endowed him with a near faultless entrance and exit into debates on the floor.
His efforts at enshrining a code of conduct for a Senate that is assailed with character crisis qualifies him for the award.
Mamora was born in 1953 and had his tertiary education at the University of Ife where he qualified with B.Sc. M.B.CH.B before engaging in medical practice. Mamora was a national delegate at the National Republican Convention (NRC) (1990), Secretary, United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) Secretary, Lagos East chapter. His legislative interests cover the growth in areas of rates and business as well as committee works and oversights.
Udoma Udo Udoma
Udoma is a politician of intellectual bent. An unassuming two-time Senator endowed with the vigour of logic, his arguments on the floor are usually laced with constitutional frameworks. His unanimous choice as the Senate Chief Whip by the South-south Caucus recently also lay credence to the esteem in which his colleagues place him. Above that, Udoma's role in acting as the stabiliser of the Senate earmarks him for this award.
Born in 1954, Udoma has a Master of Law Degree; BCL (Law) from Oxford University (England). His legislative interests cover appropriations, petroleum, taxation and revenue allocation. He also hopes to use his tenure in the Senate to achieve focused economic policy and more equitable allocation of resources.