CHINWE ODITA, News Editor
The Annual Champion Newspapers’ Awards is scheduled to hold tomorrow, Saturday, June 7 at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, as Awardees, their families, friends and invited guests are thrilled and full of expectation ahead of this year’s edition
The climax of the high profile event, like its past editions, expected to attract notable Nigerians from all walks of life, will be the conferment of various categories of awards on well deserving no fewer than 41 outstanding business men, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, including Africa’s richest man Alhaji Aliko Dangote, civil and public servants, first tier banks and insurance firms, manufacturing outfits, state actors among them governors.
They will mount the podium of honour on the basis of their track records, integrity and unquenchable quest for excellence in service to humanity and nationhood while the red carpet for the event will open at 4pm at the background of sweet melodies from a scintillating live band.
Speaking about preparations for the event weekend, the Group Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Champion Newspapers Ltd, Dr (Mrs) Nwadiuto Iheakanwa assured that all “is set for the hosting of this year’s edition of the Annual Champion Newspapers’ Awards”, adding that the organization will stop at nothing in ensuring a successful ceremony and encouraging the growth and development of our dear country, Nigeria.
According to her: “The whole essence of the awards goes beyond its glamour, razzmatazz and relationship building to include its intrinsic status as symbol of appreciation and challenge for more honest contributions and commitments to nation building. It is in our acknowledgement and appreciation of the selfless efforts and dedications of outstanding individuals, institutions, organizations as well as government, their agencies and state actors that heroes are made and role models sharpened”.
She said that Champion Newspapers has put so much into the preparations for the successful hosting of the event bearing in mind the status of the awardees and guests, many of who have set aside the day in absolute appreciation of the benevolence of the media organization to acknowledge their contributions towards a better Nigeria and her economy. Many of the awardees, she pointed out have made special reservations for their organizations, business associates and well wishers, an indication that the event will be well attended and colorful.
Giving assurance of a hitch-free ceremony, Dr. Iheakanwa said: “There are indications that this year’s award will surpass every standards and expectations considering the level of energy and resources which the planning committee has put into all the details. What is left is for the awardees and their guests to be in attendance as to enjoy the conviviality of the evening and to use it to build more business and social relationships”.
She added that the event is the newspapers’ small way of celebrating and appreciating individuals, corporate bodies, public office holders who have positively impacted humanity and added value to society.
Meanwhile, as a measure of this year’s event skewing towards the private sector and entrepreneurship, a major stakeholder in Nigeria’s business hemisphere Leo Stan Ekeh who is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Zinox Group will preside over the event as chairman just as Lagos State Governor, Mr Babjide Sanwo-Olu has confirmed his position as Chief Host of the event.
Governors who will receive awards in various categories at the event are: His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kano state, Man of the Year on Good Governance; H.E.Mohammed Nasir Idris, Kebbi state, Best Governor in Education/Outstanding Defender of Democracy; H.E. Dauda Lawal, Zamfara state, Distinguished Service and Courage in Leadership Award; H.E. Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa state, Best Governor Award in Leadership and Infrastructural Transformation as well as H.E. Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Most Outstanding Deputy of the Year.
The recipients also include: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, President, Dangote Group will be honoured with the 2024 Champion Newspapers’ Man of the Year/Global Business Icon; Zenith Bank Plc, Bank of the Year while Mr. Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa Plc is the Banker of the Year.
They also include: Mr. Ikenna Egbukole who is the Executive Chairman, Mitsun Group, Most Innovative Brand Chief Executive; Mr. Dele Ayanleke, President- General, Miners Association of Nigeria, Lifetime Achievement Award; Dr. Ibrahim Mani Ahmad Ph.D, FNIM, (Madaki of Gulu ) who is Chairman, BOT African Democratic Congress (ADC), Most Outstanding Educationist; BUA FOODS Plc, Most Successful Food and Fast Moving Consumer Goods; Dr. Dan Okehi, Managing Director/CEO, Brickred Insurance Brokers as 2024 Champion Newspapers’ Insurance Personality of the Year; Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc, the Most Resilient Insurance Company of the Year and Chief Obinna Tochukwu Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana) as Celebrity Investor of the Year.
Others are Mr. Michael Oglegba, Benue State’s Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, Best Commissioner of Finance; Mrs. Ogechi Patience Iwunze-Anthony, Chief Executive Officer, Noble Merry Empowerment Foundation, Heart of Gold; Mr. Joel Terhemen Mtsor (Shima Tex) Managing Director, Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation, Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Keystone Bank Limited, Most Friendly SME Bank; Prof. Jerry Gana, OON, CON, Lifetime Achievement Award; Senator Prince Chinedu Munir Ned Nwoko who is representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator of the Year; Seplat Energy Plc, Energy Company of the Year; Otunba Soji Odedina, Group Managing Director/CEO, First Katalyst Marketing Ltd, Marketing Communicator; and Chief Royal Ifechukwu Asianya, Onowu Ndigbo na Isolo, Chairman/CEO, Royal C. Investment Company Ltd, Entrepreneur of the Year.
Also to be recognized are: Dr. Chukwuemeka C Agbasi who is the Managing Director, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Public Servant of the Year; Boff and Company Insurance Brokers as Insurance Broker of the Year; High Chief Emeka Agbanari, MFR, Chairman Seaman Group, Most Outstanding Industrialist; High Chief (Dr) Sir Darlington Nwabunike, Managing Director Saint Buniks Group, Excellence in Leadership Award; De Imperial Philanthropic Family, Most Outstanding Philanthropic Organization in Nigeria; Dr. Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest), Chairman, De Angels Group, Brand Ambassador of the Year; Dr. Adaeze Moghalu, Distinguished Service Award in Philanthropy, Service to Community and Nigeria; Rite Foods Ltd, Most Outstanding Energy Drink of the Year on the back of Fearless Energy Drink; H. E. Evang. Prof. C.J. Osim, Chief Executive Officer, AFF Landport Global Estates Ltd, Most Transformative Estate Development Manager; Hon. Emeka Mbachu Christian, Chief Executive Officer, Blessed Isimmilibugatti Multilink, Most Courageous Philanthropist; Hon. Chief Humphrey Anuna , a.k.a Ajilija, ASMATA President-General, Best Market Leadership Award and Dr. Kenneth Ebong, President, Kenneth Ebong Foundation and MD/CEO Potent World Global Ltd, Philanthropist of the Year.
The roll call of awardees will not be complete without including Rt. Rev. Prof. Obeka Samuel (JP). Vice-Chancellor Wesley University in Ondo State, Most Impactful and Innovative Academic Leader of the Year; Mr. Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Media Manager of the Year; Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, Chairman Ibeju-Lekki Local Government who bagged the Most Outstanding Grassroots Leadership Award and Mallam Buhari Umar, Director of Budget, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Sokoto State, Most Outstanding Public Administrator of the Year as well as SAM Empowerment Foundation (SEF), Non-Governmental Organization, NGO of the Year.
Founded on October 1, 1988, Champion Newspapers Group has grown over the years to stand as a frontline national newspaper with interest revolving around the building of a better Nigerian society where citizens are free to pursue their individual businesses and interests without hindrance on the basis of region, tribe, religion or political inclinations. Last year’s event held on May 25. It gathered very wide acceptance and tremendous attendance from within and outside the country.
For a better society
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