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• Oborevwori, Fubara also win awards
By Chukwudi Nweje
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has reiterated the unwavering commitment of his administration to create a brighter future for the people of Ogun State.
Governor Abiodun spoke at the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards 2023, in Lagos, where he received The Man of the Year Award 2023 for his remarkable achievements in infrastructure development, and his commitment to an eco-friendly future, particularly through his emphasis on clean energy solutions.
He said: “For the past few years, our administration has prioritised good governance as our top priority and we are proud to have worked diligently towards this goal with sincerity and dedication.
“Receiving the prestigious title of the 2023 Silverbird Man of the Year is a true testament to our unwavering commitment to creating a brighter future for the people of Ogun State.”
The governors of Delta and Rivers states, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Siminalayi Fubara, respectively, also received awards. Oborevwori was honoured with the Governor of the Year award while Fubara received the Peace Advocate award.
Other winners included Chairman, Innoson Motors, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, who received the Manufacturer of the Year award; and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) got the Financial Institution of the Year award.
Two special achievement awards were presented to Ms. Funke Akindele, Nollywood actress, filmmaker and producer, who was deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State in the 2023 election.
Presenting the award, Chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited, Neya Kalu, congratulated Akindele for her contributions to film-making, and for being a role model to younger women.
Akindele dedicated her award to her late mother and her fans, as well as the cast and crew of her various movies.
The other special achievement award went to a blogger, Linda Ikeji.
The Most Influential Influencer award was won by Tunde Ednut, a blogger, comedian and musician; the Breakthrough Talent Award went to Constance Olatunde, a singer and songwriter, and currently an undergraduate student of the Lagos State University (LASU).
Four posthumous awards were also presented to the late Chief Mrs Kudirat Abiola, who was killed in 1998. Kudirat was the wife of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO), Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. Her award was received on her behalf by her son, Alhaji Jamiu Abiola.
Alhaji Abiola, while recovering the award, thanked Silverbird for the award, which came 28 years after his mother’s death. He said the award was a testimony that Kudirat did not die in vain.
The second posthumous award was given to Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, a former head of the Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO) now known as the Department of State Services (DSS). Shinkafi was also a former Federal Commissioner of Internal Affairs.
The award was received by his daughter, Dr Zinab Shinkafi Bagudu, former First Lady of Kebbi State.
She thanked the Silverbird for the award and vowed that the family would cherish the award.
“We thank Uncle Ben for the award. Our father was a cross-cultural gentleman, and we thank the Silverbird Group for remembering our father. We will continue to cherish the award,” she said.
The third posthumous award went to Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, first republic minister of finance, budget and national planning. His granddaughter, Mrs. Awosika, who collected the award noted that her grandfather’s legacy lives on.
She said: “We say thank you to the Silverbird Group for honouring our father.”
The fourth posthumous award went to Chief Michael Opara, former premier of defunct Eastern Nigeria during the first republic, for his economic development policies in the defunct Eastern Nigeria.
A representative of the family, who received the award, thanked Silverbird Group.
He said: “On behalf of the Opara family, I thank the Silverbird Group for the award. The late M.I. Opara was a man of foresight. The fact that we still remember him today is a rare privilege.”
The Silverbird Man of the Year Award was instituted 18 years ago to recognise individuals, who have positively impacted the lives of Nigerians in their chosen careers. Some of the past winners of the Silverbird Man of the Year Award, include the late Professor Dora Akunyili, Sanusi Lamido, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Adams Oshiomhole, Godswill Akpabio, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Doctor Mike Adenuga, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Babatunde Fashola. Others are Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Okowa, Willy Obiano, and Seyi Makinde.
