Winners of The Sun Awards 2016 have continued to praise The Sun Publishing Limited for picking them for recognition.
The Sun Awards ceremony holds on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Expo Centre of Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Eighteen Nigerians will be honoured with various awards, for their outstanding performance in respective endeavours.
Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, will be the chairman on the occasion.
Speaking on his Man of the Year award, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said: “Let me thank the Board and Management of The Sun Newspapers for honouring me with this award of The Sun Man of the Year. It humbles me. It challenges me, and the award is for the good people of Ogun State and the team working with me to give dividends of democracy to our people.”
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said The Sun Governor of the Year award would spur him to do more for the people of the state to whom he dedicated the honour.
He said: “This award is not for me; it is for the entire state. If the state did not give me the opportunity and mandate, it would have been difficult for me to be given The Sun Governor of the Year 2016 award. So, I dedicate the award to the Almighty God and the people of the state.
“I assure you that for us, it is our duty to make a difference. With whatever time we have, we will continue to put in our best. We will not disappoint The Sun Newspaper for the choice you have made.”
On his Courage in Leadership award, Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari said although he runs away from receiving awards, the honour was unique.
“I’m not somebody who is very keen about awards. I try to run away from them, except it is absolutely necessary. When I was intimated about my nomination for this award, I was very skeptical because people tend to look at awards for those in government as suspect; but reading the content of this letter explaining the award, I have realised that it is in recognition of the past contributions one has made in the service of the nation,” he said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, winner of the Political Icon award, described The Sun Awards as the most prestigious in the country.
Said he: “When I heard that I had been awarded The Sun Political Icon of the Year, I was surprised, in view of the gladiators and icons in the field. I thought that there were other governors and ministers; so the news was quite amazing to me mainly because I didn’t know the criteria for the award until you reeled them out to me now.
“But I must admit that this is one of the very prestigious awards available here in Nigeria and I must thank you for the fact that your newspaper realises that the work of journalism is not just to criticise but also to recognise those who are contributing to the development of the country at great expense and to identify them for recognition or awards.”
For Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, his Banker of the Year award would guide his conduct as a bank executive.
Said he: “It’s a rare privilege to be nominated as the Banker of the Year by The Sun Newspapers. But what you probably may not understand is the enormous responsibility this award places on the awardee. And it is not just for the day, but it guides your conduct even thereafter. Indeed, the integrity and the values that come with this kind of award put one under some kind of pressure.”
One her part, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and winner of The Sun Lifetime Achievement award, Chief Nike Akande, praised the professionalism with which The Sun handles its awards.
Akande, a two-time minister of industries, said: “This award came to me as a pleasant surprise. I was on my way to work when I started receiving phone calls that I was on the front page of the Daily Sun for an award. I told them that nobody approached me for an award. I then decided to buy the newspaper to see.
“I was so happy throughout that day, because it shows that all we have been doing are being appreciated. You are doing a good job at The Sun. Continue in the line of excellence, which your newspaper and awards are known.”
Foremost industrialist and Chairman of Eleganza Group of Companies, Chief Rasak Akanni Okoya, winner of The Sun Lifetime Achievement award, 2016, described The Sun Awards as the biggest event in the country.
“I know this is one of the biggest events in Nigeria today and I want to tell you that I appreciate this great honour; that is why I will be there,” Chief Okoya said.
Renowned economist and two-time Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement award said: “This is great honour to me. Thank you for finding me worthy of the honour. It is a great pleasure to receive this honour.”
Another Lifetime Achievement award winner and eminent scholar, Professor Anya O. Anya, described his recognition as not only a great honour but also a rare privilege, which he appreciates immensely.
He said: “Let me say that I feel it’s not only a great honour, it’s a privilege to be considered for this award. I appreciate it, as this is a recognition I will proudly wear, because I have watched you do it on the stage 12 times before and I have seen the quality of the people you choose.
“You don’t have to tell me it’s not for sale because those who won it in the past make this clear. If it’s for sale, certain other types would have emerged.”