Cyril Mbah, Abuja
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was on Tuesday named the Blueprint Newspaper Person of the Year, 2026.
Yilwatda received the prestigious honour alongside 23 other distinguished Nigerians at the 8th Edition of the Blueprint Newspaper Annual Public Lecture and Awards held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of all the awardees, the APC National Chairman described the recognition as both a privilege and a renewed call to service.
“To be named the Blueprint Person of the Year, the high distinction of this important gathering, is an honour that I accept with immense gratitude,” he said.
Yilwatda, however, noted that the award was not a personal achievement alone.
According to him, it reflects the sacrifices, support and contributions of many people working with him to advance Nigeria.
He said the 23 other recipients cut across different sectors of national life, including administration, security, economy and public service, and their collective honour speaks to the capacity of Nigerians to build the country together.
Citing former South African President Nelson Mandela, Yilwatda said leadership should be measured not by personal success, but by the difference one makes in the lives of others.
“What ultimately matters is not merely that a person’s life has been touched, but the difference made in the lives of others,” he quoted.
The APC chairman urged his fellow honorees to see the award as a challenge to do more for the country, stressing that the true value of the recognition would be seen in their actions after the ceremony.
He thanked the management of Blueprint Newspaper for the honour and pledged to continue working for the unity, stability and progress of Nigeria.
The event, attended by top government officials, traditional rulers and captains of industry, was themed around national development and the role of leadership in shaping Nigeria’s future.
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