.Dangote, Govs, Banks’ CEOs, industry gurus, others converge in Lagos
All is set for the Annual Champion Newspapers’ Awards today as 41 notable Nigerians and institutions from all walks of life will be conferred with various categories of awards for their outstanding contributions to the socio-economic and technological development of Nigeria and humanity.
State Governors as well as the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, banks such as Zenith Bank Plc, UBA Plc, Keystone Ltd, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, are scheduled to converge at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites Victoria Island, Lagos.
The climax of the high profile event, like its past editions, is expected to attract civil and public servants, first tier banks and insurance firms, manufacturing outfits, state actors among others will be the presentation of awards to the nominees.
Specifically, governors who will receive awards in various categories at the event are: Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kano state, Man of the Year on Good Governance; Mohammed Nasir Idris, Kebbi state, Best Governor in Education/Outstanding Defender of Democracy; Dauda Lawal, Zamfara state, Distinguished Service and Courage in Leadership Award; Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa state, Best Governor Award in Leadership and Infrastructural Transformation as well as Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Most Outstanding Deputy of the Year.
The recipients also include: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, who will be honoured as the 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.
The awards are on the basis of their track records, integrity and 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, 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 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.”
She pointed out the awardees, have made special reservations for their organizations, business associations and well wishers, noting this is an indication that the event will be well attended and colourful.
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 that 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.
Eminent Nigerians to be HONOURED also include: Mr. Ikenna Egbukole, Executive Chairman, Mitsun Group as 2024 Champion Newspapers’ Most Innovative Brand Chief Executive of the Year, Mr. Dele Ayanleke, President General Miners Association of Nigeria as 2024 Champion Newspapers’ Lifetime Achievement Award; Dr. Ibrahim Mani Ahmad Ph.D, FNIM, (Madaki of Gulu), Chairman, BOT African Democratic Congress (ADC) as Most Outstanding Educationist of the Year, BUA FOODS Plc as 2024 Champion Newspapers’ Most Successful Food and Fast Moving Consumer Goods of the Year and Dr. Dan Okehi, Managing Director/CEO, Brickred Insurance Brokers as Insurance Personality of the Year.
Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc won Most Resilient Insurance Company of the Year; Chief Obinna Tochukwu Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana) Chairman, Cubana Group as Celebrity Investor of the Year; Mr. Michael Oglegba. Hon. Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, Benue State as Best Commissioner of Finance of the Year and Mrs. Ogechi Patience Iwunze-Anthony, Chief Executive Officer, Noble Merry Empowerment Foundation, who got Heart of Gold Award.
Mr. Joel Terhemen Mtsor (Shima Tex) Managing Director, Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation, Markudi as Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Keystone Bank Limited as Most Friendly SME Bank of the Year, Prof. Jerry Gana, OON, former Minister of Information and National Orientation bagged Lifetime Achievement Award.
Others are, Senator Prince Chinedu Munir Ned Nwoko. Senator Representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate as Senator of the Year; Seplat Energy Plc as Energy Company of the Year; Otunba Soji Odedina, Group Managing Director/CEO, First Katalyst Marketing Limited as 2024 Marketing Communicator of the Year, Chief Royal Ifechukwu Asianya, Ogbuefi Ugochinyelu Onowu Ndigbo na Isolo. Chairman/CEO, Royal C. Investment Company Limited as Entrepreneur of the Year.
Dr. Chukwuemeka C Agbasi, Ph.D, DIC, FNSE, FNIHTE. Managing Director/CEO, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) as Public Servant of the Year; High Chief Emeka Agbanari (MFR) Ike Idemili. Chairman Seaman Group as Most Outstanding Industrialist of the Year; High Chief (Dr) Sir Darlington Nwabunike. (Eze Nwakaibeya Ogbabalu Aku n’ Anwu Ojoto) Managing Director/CEO Saint Buniks Group as Excellence in Leadership Award, De Imperial Philanthropic Family (DIPF) as Most Outstanding Philanthropic Organisation in Nigeria and Dr. Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest), Chairman, De Angels Group as Brand Ambassador of the Year.
To be presented to Dr. Adaeze Moghalu, Adadioranma is the Distinguished Service Award Winner in the field of Philanthropy, Service to Community and Nigeria; SAM Empowerment Foundation (SEF) as Most Outstanding NGO of the Year, Mr. Oliver Alawuba. Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa Plc as Banker of the Year, Rite Foods Limited as Most Outstanding Energy Drink of the Year on Fearless Energy Drink; Evang. Prof. CJ Osim, Chief Executive Officer, AFF Landport Global Estates Limited as Most Transformative Estate Development Manager of the Year; Hon. Emeka Mbachu Christian (a.k.a Isimmili na Mbaukwu), Chief Executive Officer, Blessed Isimmilibugatti Multilink as Most Courageous Philanthropist of the Year and Hon. Chief Humphrey Anuna (a.k.a Ajilija, Onwa Ora Eri), Solution PG, Ogwu ndi Ahia. President General (ASMATA) as Best Market Leadership of the Year.
Dr. Kenneth Ebong. President, Kenneth Ebong Foundation and MD/CEO Potent World Global Ltd will receeive Philanthropist of the Year Award.
The rest are, Rt. Rev. Prof. Obeka Samuel (JP). Vice-Chancellor Wesley University, Ondo State as Most Impactful and Innovative Academic Leader of the Year, Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa. Chairman Ibeju-Lekki Local Government as Outstanding Grassroots Leadership Award, Boff and Company Insurance Brokers as Insurance Broker of the Year, Comrade Buhari Umar. Director of Budget, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Sokoto State as Most Outstanding Public Administrator of the Year, Abdullahi Sule and
Mr. Olufemi Soneye. Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd as Media Manager of the Year.
Founded on October 1, 1988, Champion Newspapers Group has grown over the years to stand as a frontline national newspaper whose interest revolves 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.
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