Why Tinubu, Ooni, Governors, Idimogu, others bag 2020 merit  awards

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, His Royal Majesty Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, Honourable Jude Chukwuemeka Omobowale Idimogu, three state governors among others have bagged Champion Newspaers 2020 awards.

Governors Adegboyega, Umahi and Ugwuanyi

The governor’s of Osun State Adegboyega Oyetola, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu were among notable Nigerians that recieved the award at the  Champion Newspaper Limited Annual Award Night held at Sheraton Hotels, Lagos.

Tinubu the former Lagos State governor.received  award of Democracy Icon of the fourth Republic; Oba Ogunwusi bagged Grand Peacemaker of the year.

Hon Idimogu, a two term lawmaker, the Chairman House Committee on Employment and Wealth Creation among other committees and the only non Yoruba indegine in the Lagos State House of Assembly was awarded Champion Newspapers Most  Outstanding Lawmaker of the year Award for his patriotic outstanding legislative feats.

Idimogu

In  a citation to the lawmaker by the Champion Newspapers management, at the presentation, Idimogu was described as a great philanthropist, a pathfinder, a detribalised Nigerian and an apostle of transformational leadership whose wealth of experience is qualified for higher political responsibility in the country.

Lady Idimogu flanked by other award recipients at the award giving ceremony in Lagos

Idimogu who was unavoidably absent at the event was represented by his wife Lady Roseline Enitan Idimogu, who with all sense of humility, thanked the organization for finding her husband worthy of recognition.

Lady Idimogu assured that the award would go a long way to spur him to great achievements for the benefit of the common man, his constituents and the state at large.

The governor of Osun State Oyetola recieved double award as Champion Newspapers Man of the year and Governor of the Year, Gov. Umahi emerged as Champion Newspaper Man of the year on   Infrastructural development while their Enugu State counterpart, Ugwuanyi recieved tbe Most Outstanding Security Conscious and Peaceful Governor award.

The former governor  of Rivers State and the current Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amechi bagged the Most Outstanding Public Servant of the year; while Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Innoson motors, got recognised with the award of Innovative Manufacturer of the Decade.

Chukwuma

The award which was distinctly categorised into politics, corporate, humanitarian service among other categories saw Dr Adesola Adetuntan, Managing Director /CEO of First bank emerged  Champion newspaper banker of the year 2020, Access Bank  Plc as Champion Newspaper bank of the year 2020,.

African Alliance Insurance came shining as champion newspaper life insurance company of the Decade (2010 -2020), NLNG as champion newspaper outstanding company of the year 2020, NSIA insurance as champion newspaper most innovative insurance company of the year 2020, Charles Aigbe as champion newspaper best media manager of the year 2020.

On the humanitarian service category, Sir and Lady Goodluck Obi Foundation won the award for the heart of Gold and Dangote foundation as champion newspaper philanthropist of the year 2020.

Iheakanwa presenting letter of recognition to Gov Adegboyega at Osun

The Group Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Champion newspaper, Dr. Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, while welcoming the awardees and numerous dignitaries to the event described the award as the Print industry’s modest way of contributing its quota to the overall development of the society by providing a veritable platform to recognise heavyweights and institutions that have excelled both in private and public sectors of the economy.

Iheakanwa said the selected awardees have not only identified the needs and challenges of the citizens but proffered holistic solutions, thereby uplifting the standard of living of the people and contributing their best to the country’s socio-economic and political development.

She revealed that for the first time since the inception of the awards ceremony decades ago, Governor Oyetola received the Governor and Man of the Year Awards based on his exemplary achievements in various fields.

The outstanding performance of Governor Oyetola and other awardees and the recognition given to them, she echoed will serve as an inspiration and beacon of hope not only to Nigerians but humanity at large.

Delivering his address, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Dr. George Moghalu, who doubles as the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), eulogized the Champion Newspapers on the credibility of the award, describing the honour bestowed on the awardees as well deserved.

Delivering his acceptance speech at the award ceremony as Governor and Man of the Year’ awards for 2020 respectively, the Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, stated the administration’s impact is being felt in various sectors of the State’s economy, using agriculture, tourism and mining as launch pads.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi, said the award would further encourage his administration to serve the people even better.

He added that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was conferred  with Champion Newspaper’s Democracy ICON of the Fourth Republic, among other awardees, have made landmark and impactful contributions to the progress and development of the country.

Speaking also, the representative of the governor of Ebonyi and the Commissioner of Information and State Orientation, Uche Orji, said the award shows what was going on in the state in terms of massive infrastructural development.

“It shows what the Governor has been doing for the past years as the governor of the state in terms of infrastructural development. This award will trigger his aspiration to want to do more.” he stated.