The
Sun Publishing Limited lived up to its billings as pacesetter yesterday as it
celebrated Nigeria’s best to mark the 2017 edition of the annual The Sun awards.
Yesterday’s
event, which saw Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who said he was
going to win again, next year, retaining the Governor of the Year diadem, is
the 15th in the series. It also coincides with The Sun Publishing Limited’s
15th anniversary.
The
evening which was livened up by ace comedian Bovi Ugboma and a foremost
Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tu-Baba, who thrilled
the audience to hilarious jokes and music respectively, also saw the President
of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, being bestowed with the Outstanding
Politician of the Year Award, while the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode
was bestowed with the Man of the Year award, which is the flagship prize. Obi
Ezeude got the Manufacturer of the Year Award.
At
the event, held at the Expo Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos,
about eight million naira was raised for the family of the late Sergeant
Chukwudi Iboko, who fought gallantly to foil a robbery operation at the Zenith
Bank branch, Owerri, Imo State. For his rare display of bravery, he was
bestowed with the Hero of the Year award.
His
seven children were also offered scholarships up to the university level by the
management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Announcing
the scholarship award, the Managing Director of NDDC, Nsima Ekere, who went
home with the Public Service Award, said the only way to keep the memory of
late Iboko’s heroic exploits alive was to ensure his children get quality
education. Making a remark after receiving his award, the MD of NDDC said:
“This award is a validation of our efforts in making the NDDC a better
institution and the Niger Delta a region of sustainable economic growth and
livelihoods. We will do all within our power to fulfill our mandate of
facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta
into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically
regenerative and politically peaceful.” The event was anchored by A-list
compere and former Big Brother Africa (BBA) host, IK Osakioduwa.
Other
Nigerians who were honoured for distinguishing themselves in their various
fields were: Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajia Aisha Buhari, who was
represented by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the president, Mr.
Femi Adesina. She got the award for the Most Supportive First Lady; Central
Bank Governor (CBN), Dr. Godwin Emefiele, Public Service Award; Dr. Emeka
Okwuosa, Investor of the Year; Mr. Amaju Pinnick, Sports Personality of the
Year; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Humanitarian Service Award and Mr. Ayo Makun (AY),
who got the Nollywoood Personality of the Year Award. Others are: Mallam
Ismaila Isa Funtua, Prince Samuel Adedoyin and former Vice Chancellor of
University of Benin, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, all of whom got the Lifetime
Achievement Award. Governor of Ebonyi State, who was represented by the
Secretary to the Government (SSG), Prof. Bernard Odoh, and his Kebbi State
counterpart were awarded for their Outstanding Performance in Agriculture,
while Dr. Chika Okafor won the Business Person of the Year Award. On his part,
emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi 11, who was represented by the Group Managing
Director of Freedom Radio, Alhaji Abbas Muhammad Dalhatu, En Dagan Kano, got
the Courage in Leadership Award.
I’m
committed to Rivers people, I’ll win again –Wike
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has expressed his determination and
commitment to work for the people of the oil-rich state.
Speaking
at The Sun Awards where he emerged as the Governor of the Year 2017, he assured
that he would continue to serve the people of Rivers State and win more accolades.
The
governor thanked The Sun Publishing Limited for finding him worthy to win the
award back to back in 2017 after winning that of 2016.
Wike
said he would not relent in serving his people and assured that by the grace of
God, he would still win the same award in 2018.
He
said: “I will continue to work for the people of Rivers State.
I
dedicate this award to the people of Rivers State and my wife.”
Ambode:
Lagos is working because of taxpayers
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the state was working
because of taxpayers’ money.
He
also pointed out that the state provides level playing fields for all
irrespective of ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Ambode
stated this yesterday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos when he
received The Sun Man of the Year Award 2017.
The
Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, represented him at the ceremony.
The Governor noted that the state was working because taxpayers were living up
to their obligations by paying their taxes.
“It
is with these taxes that the state is carrying out massive infrastructural
development and also providing insurance for security men, especially the
Police in the state,” he said.
According
to him, the state pays N10 million to the relatives of any policeman who dies
in active service and N5 million to any policeman that is injured on duty.
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