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The Chairman of Rojitel Group, Dr. Andrew Oru, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Dr. Emeka Agbasi, have expressed appreciation over their nominations for The Sun 2025 Investor of the Year and Public Service Personality awards respectively.
Oru and Agbasi spoke separately in Lagos and Abuja when the Management of The Sun Publishing Limited, led by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Onuoha Ukeh, presented nomination letters to them.
Oru and Agbasi would be honoured with 34 others and two organisations at The Sun Awards ceremony holding at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on January 31, 2026.
Oru expressed appreciation for being chosen for the award while praising the management of The Sun Publishing Limited for sustaining a high standard for the award.
He said: “First of all, I’m deeply humbled that I was chosen for this highly coveted award. I have been watching The Sun awards from a distance. I’m usually full of admiration the way it is properly organised.
“My impression is that the organisation is properly managed. For that reason, I willingly and wholeheartedly accept the award. I will do everything possible to be a good ambassador because that is the responsibility upon me.”
He noted: “Taking an award from a reputable organisation means that one will not let that award to lose value. Recognising people in the society for the little efforts they make is a catalyst for growth.
“It can only help in getting more people to work harder. The more people work hard, realising that their efforts are being noticed, the better for the society.”
While presenting the nomination letter to Oru earlier, The Sun MD said that Oru had distinguished himself as a lawyer, entrepreneur, and community leader, growing his various businesses into an international conglomerate with interests spanning travel, oil and gas services, mining, maritime, hospitality, real estate, security, manufacturing, telecommunications and others.
“It is also worthy of note that you are Group Executive Director/Coordinator, Global Group Aiteo, a leading energy conglomerate. Available records show that you have been involved in various aspects of the oil and gas industry, including exploration and production, storage, marketing, distribution, and power generation, with your strategic vision being instrumental to the growth and diversification of the group,” Ukeh pointed out.
On his part, Agbasi also expressed appreciation for emerging winner in the Public Service Personality Award category.
He said: “I appreciate the award and it is a badge of honour for me, particularly coming from The Sun and I thank The Sun Board of Editors for this consideration. I look forward to being in Lagos on the 31st of January to accept this award in person.”
The FERMA MD explained that he left the United Kingdom and the comfort of his family on a mission to develop better road network for the country through a data driven-approach, disclosing that since he returned to the country, this singular mission had been his driving force to ensure that Nigeria had a better way of managing her road network.
While saying that the country has a maintenance backlog, the FERMA MD stated that the situation is even compounded with paucity of funds.
He recommended that in order to have a sustainable road network in the country, there was the need to have alternative sources of funding for the road.
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Agbasi disclosed that what he and his team have been able to achieve was to move FERMA from being a cost centre (receive money and spend) to being a revenue centre, which he said, will ensure the survival of FERMA.
On why The Sun chose Agbasi for recognition, Ukeh said the FERMA boss brought professionalism, innovation, and efficiency to one of the nation’s most critical agencies.
“You have left no one in doubt that you are an accomplished engineer, visionary administrator, and reform-driven public servant whose leadership has redefined road maintenance and infrastructure management in Nigeria,” Ukeh said.
The Sun MD also said that under Agbasi’s stewardship, FERMA has become more proactive and performance-driven, achieving the rehabilitation of thousands of kilometers of roads and creating thousands of jobs across the country. He said: “Your emphasis on preventive maintenance, transparency, and data-driven planning has repositioned the agency as a model of effective public service.
“For your blend of technical brilliance, visionary leadership, and patriotic service, The Sun Board of Editors chose you as winner of The Sun Public Service Award 2025.”
Apart from Oru and Agbasi, other people to receive awards include Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dr.Olayemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and Sen. Solomon Adeola, Senator representing Ogun West (Man of the Year); Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Gov DaudaLawal of Zamfara State and Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River (Governor of the Year).
The First Lady of the Year award goes to Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma of Imo State while the Political Personality of the Year award would be received by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, just as HRM, Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi Kingdom would receive the Most Outstanding Royal Father of the Year award.
Minister of the Year goes to Mr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT, while the Lifetime Achievement Award would be received by Oba Rasheed Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); and Chief Simeon Eyisi, Chairman/CEO, SIMS Nigeria Limited.
Like Agbasi, the Public Service Personality award will be received by Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith, Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, with the Banker of the Year goes to Mr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, MD, Premium Trust Bank Plc, just as Investor of the Year award will be received by Dr. Julius Rone, CEO, UTM Offshore Limited; Dr. Andrew Oru, Chairman, Rojitel Group; and Oguchi Emeka, Chairman/CEO, Point Technologies Ltd.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award would be received by Prince Charles Ezeagwu, CEO, Charzin Group; Mr. Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, Chairman, Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited; Chief Mike Duru Ejiogu, CEO, Citygate Group; and Dr. Eric Opah, CEO, Fortunes Global.
Mr John Ezeobi, chairman, Zobis Cable Nigeria Limited; Chief Emeka Agbanari, chairman, Seaman Group, and Chief Peter Orogwu, chairman, Chuby Zion Industries Limited, would receive the Industrialist of the Year award, with Real Estate Icon award going to Dr. Stephen Maxwell Nweze, chairman if Seman Global Concept Limited.
The Humanitarian Service Icon award goes Sen. Jubril Barau, Deputy Senate President, with the Hospitality Icon award going to Mr. Paul Onwuanibe, CEO, Landmark Africa Group, owners of Landmark Hotel & Resorts, and Chief Livinus Anibogu, CEO, AG Lexon Nig. Limited, owners of Villa Park Hotel & Suites.
The Courage in Leadership award would be received by Bishop Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, while the Nollywood Icon award goes to Dr. Kenneth Okonkwo, ace actor, film producer and activist.
Mrs. Onyeka Michael-Ugwu, founder, Hello Perfect and Mr. Tunde Onakoya, founder, Chess in Slum Africa, would receive the Young Achievers award, with Zenith Bank Plc receiving the Bank of the Year award and Opay Digital Services Limited receiving Fintech/Digital Bank of the Year award.
