By Agatha Emeadi and Christy Anyanwu
Peter Ifediba Chukwu (Ochendo Umuchu, MD/CEO, Morelight Properties Ltd
The Sun Awards remains one of the highest and biggest awards in Nigeria. Let them keep the flag flying by recognising men and women who had distinguished themselves in various professions. It has become an annual worthy celebration to recognise people who have done well in their various occupations. I salute their courage.
Chief B Iloanya, businessman
The SUN Awards is always great. I have seen a lot of people win the prestigious award. I am looking forward to my own day of glory from The Sun. I pray the standard should not be lowered because The Sun Awards is a pride to the nation.
Dr Farouk Umar Abubakar – Commissioner for Health, Sokoto State)
The Sun Awards is a good initiative. It is an award given to deserving who-is-who in Nigeria. An award specially reserved for men and women who have excelled in different areas of passion. The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, who came into the office with a nine-point smart agenda has executed numerous projects under two years of his administration. Against this background and many other feats, The Sun has awarded him Governor of the Year. We are glad to celebrate the achievement of His Excellency, Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.
Dr Abubakar Mohammed Zayyana, Commissioner for Budget & Economic Planning, Sokoto State.
The Sun Award is a very good thing. It motivates others to work hard. It has been for people who have achieved in their distinguished professions. Therefore, the award motivates and inspires others to work hard. Our governor, H E Dr Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto has proved that, governance is not business as usual. He has shown it in his agenda and we are proud of him.
Mr Peter Nkachukwu, freight forwarder
The Sun Awards is a nice concept. It is a recognition of people who have excelled in their various professions. While the awards grow, The Sun as a team also grows. Let them continue in their good work. I am here to support my brother and friend Chief Cyril Okoye who is being recognised as the Industrialist of the Year.
Tunde Ekundayo …MD/CEO Ornico Media Advertising
This is my first time of attending The Sun Awards. From what I am seeing, it is a worthy celebration.
Emeka Chinwokwu…Founder/CEO Emmy-V Global Services
The Sun Awards has always been top-notch. It is a reward of excellence with the level of its transparency and integrity. Again, I love the cosy ambience and environment of the venue of the occasion.
Hon Kingsley Femi Famwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kogi State
The Sun Awards is a fantastic platform to honour achievers across different fields of human endeavours. It is an award that is respected for its integrity. I am here to represent my Governor H E, Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo who is being celebrated as the Political Personality of the Year.
Gen. Paul Boroh
It is a great occasion where deserving members of the society who have distinguished themselves one way or the other are rewarded. Kudos to The Sun team and the winners.
Commodore Chris Boroh…
The Sun Awards is quite exciting over the years as I learnt. This is my first time of coming to the occasion to support my brother and friend, Prof Mike Ozekhome who is being awarded with ‘Courage in Leadership’ by The Sun newspapers. From what I have seen, it is a high-profile award.
Vera Ede, Executive Director/Admin/Finance, Felak Concept Group
The Sun Awards is an excellent activity where various big players in the industry are recognised. I am here to support Dr Aisha Achimugu who is being honoured as the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’. I think she deserves the award for overseeing 16 different companie,s ranging from oil and gas, real estate, ICT and others. We are proud of our principal.
Chief James Okwudili, MD/CEO New Castle Hotels, Abuja, Lagos and Owerri
The Sun is doing very well. I am very proud of them. Like the man who just spoke, he said the award is a special one. It is a top event. I am here to support Chief Polycarp Obiukwu of the Bolton White Hotels & Apartment. He is awarded Entrepreneur of the Year and we are glad about that.
Otunba Dejo Olawoyin, MD/CEO Adroit Landstyle Ltd.
The award is very different, bright and exclusive on its own. It is an award given to well-deserving members of the society. I love the fact that the awardees are well scrutinized and selected before they are given their awards.
Ugochukwu Onyejiudo
The Sun Awards is perfect. I am here for my friend and brother, Dr Darlington Nwabunike who never asked for the award. Instead The Sun team carried out their research and found him worthy. Therefore, his award calls for celebration.
Dr Ernest Nwapa, Pioneer Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)
I came to support Mrs Uju Ifejika who was awarded ‘Man of the Year’. She has been a very strong leader, entrepreneur who came from a job, then started her business and has grown it. I was involved in the development of local content and have been an observer of how The Sun Awards has grown from a regular event to a very meaningful event. Today the event has become an award everybody looks up to.
So let The Sun keep doing well. Looking at the array of the personalities that attended the occasion, and people who were awarded; it gives a very clear indication of the growth trajectory of The Sun Awards. With the award, people are encouraged to aspire to greatness because that is what our country needs.
Mrs Ngozi Obasi, President General, Ebonyi Women Association (Lagos Branch)
I have attended The Sun Awards sometime ago. Coming again, it is still the same worthy wonderful event. My first lady, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru is being awarded ‘First Lady of the Year by The Sun newspaper. Her Excellency has been doing great in the state. She has been of motherly assistance to the poor and needy, widows, down trodden and women in general. The women of Ebonyi State are very happy and proud of her; that is why we are here to support and rejoice with our Governor’s wife.
Chief Mrs Bernadette Eyisi, MD SIMS Nigeria Ltd
This is such an awesome award. It is very well put together. From the speech of the Chairman of the event which touched every tribe; I call it a unique occasion. Again, it is a reflection of a national touch because every tribe is represented. It is also an award for the best in different fields.
Lyna Okara, Esq
I am here to support my boss, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who was awarded Public Service Award. I commend The Sun Newspaper for looking out for men and women who are making a difference despite the odds.
Mrs Oby Okoye, wife of Chief Cyril Okoye (Industrialist of the Year)
To me, an award is based on merit. My husband has been in business for many years. We are very happy and give God all the glory. The Sun, as an organisation, did well.
BC Igwilo (SAN)
The Sun Awards have come to stay as a brand, getting better as an organisation. I observed that a whole lot of time was saved this last edition. I also observed that the team should find a way to manage the awardees. By the time the group photograph was called for, most of the awardees had gone. That is the angle the team has to navigate into. Otherwise, the choice of the awardees was merit-based. I came to support my friends, Chief Cyril Okoye, Darlington Nwabunike, Chief Chika Emenike and Festus Keyamo, who was a professional colleague.
Juliet Amadike Ugwuanyi:
We are here to celebrate Chief (Sir) Joseph Ezeokafor, chairman, Jezco Group of Companies, West Africa Limited. I am the company secretary. We are glad that The Sun deemed it worthy to give him this award because, so far, he has achieved a lot in life. He is a man of integrity. He is well deserving of this award given to him by The Sun and we are happy and glad. We want to say thank you to The Sun Publishing Limited for this award.
Chief Niyi Ajewole, President-General of Ibadan indigenes and Atuniluse of Ibadanland:
It is great. I thank God that I’m here today. I could see the stuff The Sun newspaper is made of. I could see good organisation and celebration of people that matter in Nigeria. I could recognise the fact that it is not an ordinary award, but an award for those who have done well in their respective endeavours.
Mogaji Asiwaju Nurudeen Akinade, coordinator, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative:
It was a great event. A fantastic one. When you have insight to recognise people that have made impact in the development of this country, I would say this award is one of the best in Africa. I have attended so many awards, I have received so many myself, but this is a very big one that needs to be celebrated by right-thinking people. It is my first time to physically attend but I have been monitoring the activities for a while.
Uzodinnma Ekonna, businessman:
It was a nice event. This is my second time attending the event. I like this year’s event more than the last year’s. My very good friends, Chief Priest and Habib, my very good friends, were honoured.
Olori Aderonke Irinle:
It’s actually a laudable awards event. It is colourful. A lot of personalities graced the occasion. It shows that the programme is well known in Nigeria because I could see people from all walks of life, different tribes. I think it’s a good one.
