Stories by Willy Eya, Kunle Olafioye, Job Osazuwa and Ayo Alonge

Chairman and Publisher of The Sun Publishing Limited and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has said Nigerians need courage to confront the challenges facing the nation.

Kalu made the submission in his remarks yesterday at the 14th edition of The Sun Awards held at Expo Hall, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.

According to him, at a time when our nation is going through challenges, it will take courage to confront the challenges, innovation to make changes and introduce new methods and excellence in being exceptionally good and proficient in our duties, to turn the fortunes of Nigeria and lift it to a higher glory.

The former governor added that sincerity of purpose, commitment and selflessness are other cardinal qualities required in the service of the people.

A total number of 19 Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in different spheres of life were honoured at the event.

While commending the awardees that included Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and his Rivers State counterpart, Chief Nyesom Wike, Kalu noted that the three qualities of courage, innovation and excellence set the awardees apart.

“Looking at these awardees and their pedigree, I agree that “Courage, innovation and excellence define them, as The Sun has rightly said. It takes these three things and other qualities to make a difference in whatever we do,” he said. Kalu who equally extolled one of Nigeria’s fallen soldiers, Lt Col Mohammed Abu, who was posthumously honoured with the Hero of the Year Award, congratulated the Nigerian Armed Forces for producing an officer like the late Abu who laid down his life to keep the nation safe.

“I had said at an event in the past that we as a people, and Nigeria as a nation should praise members of the Armed Forces for the sacrifices they make in safeguarding the country. They need our encouragement, prayers and support as they confront security challenges across the nation,” he said.


This is the biggest award event in Africa

–The Sun MD

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Eric Osagie, has said that the annual awards organised by the company is the biggest in Africa.

Osagie made this declaration while welcoming guests to the 14th annual The Sun Awards organised by the company yesterday.

Declaring that the awards event is the biggest in Africa, Osagie also extolled the awardees who, according to him, have distinguished themselves in their different endeavours.

“Let me say that 14 years after, this is the biggest event in Africa. Everything is well planned because we believe Nigeria is great and has the best. We come here every year and prove that we have great Nigerians, like Chief Emeka Anyaoku who is the Chairman of the occasion,” Osagie said.

“This is your night, the night we all have been waiting for.

Nigeria is in recession but Nigerians are not in recession and that is why we still have the cause to celebrate great Nigerians from government to business, to entertainment, to manufacturing, and what have you,” he added.


Amosun, Wike, Masari, others shine at 14th The Sun Awards

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari and the other 16 awardees of the 14th The Sun Awards shone like a galaxy of stars yesterday.

The event, at which Governor Amosun and his Rivers State counterpart were bestowed with the Sun Man of the Year and the Sun Governor of the Year awards, respectively, while Governor Masari won the Courage in Leadership award, was held at the Expo Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and witnessed by the crème de la crème of Nigeria’s gliteratti in politics, government, business, the academia and entertainment.

It was also a day when the supreme sacrifice made by late Lt. Col. Abu Ali in the war against Boko Haram, to restore peace to the North East region was remembered and honoured as he was also given a posthumous award even as the sum of N20 million was raided on the spot for his widow and children.

The well package and star-studded event was spiced with fun and music and admirably anchored by A-List compere Gbenga Adeyinka, in the leading role and assisted another female on-air personality. Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, presided as chairman of the event in a speech that set the tone of the day said:  “Nigeria will not realise its full potentials and overcome its present major challenges unless and until it restructures its governance architecture.”


I am encouraged to do more, says Owoyemi, Hospitality Man of the Year Award winner

Chairman of Avalon Intercontinental Limited Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi, owners of Renaissance Ikeja Hotel and some Protea hotels in Lagos, has said that with the award bestowed on him, he would only do more.

The Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Ikeja Hotel and some Protea hotels in Lagos bagged the award for the Hospitality Man of the Year at the 14th Annual Awards ceremony organised by The Sun Publishing Limited which was held at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, yesterday. Expressing his gratitude, Owoyemi said he is only encouraged to do more.

“I feel very great and grateful for the honour and it would only encourage me to do more. I want to specially thank The Sun Newspaper for the honour done to me.

It is very encouraging for me and it would only make me do more for the people,” he said.


Lt. Col. Abu Ali: The Sun Awards rakes in N20 million for widow, children of fallen hero

Widow of Lt Col. Mohammed Abu Ali, Mrs. Samira Abu Ali has lauded The Sun Newspapers for recognizing the exploits of  her deceased husband who paid the supreme price while defending the nation against Boko Haram insurgency last year.

Abu Ali was honoured with the Nigerian Hero Award for his contributions in defending the nation.

The widow of the fallen soldier, who received the award alongside her children, told Sunday Sun in an interview that the gesture was a form of solace for the family of the deceased soldier.

Also reacting to the award, Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosu described the award given to the fallen hero as the best award on the occasion.

Amosun who announced a donation of N1 million to the family of the deceased soldier, said Lt. Col Abu Ali paid the highest price.

Also speaking Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State extolled the virtues of the late Abu Ali and announced a donation of N1.5 million for the family of the late Army officer.      

Other major donors at the event include the All Progressives Congress, APC caucus of the Federal House of Representatives, N6 million; Peoples Democratic Party caucus, N5 million; the senate N1 million; House of Representatives N1 million; Hon Oluwole Oke N2.5 million, The Sun Publishing Limited, among other donors.