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The Chairman of AG Lexon Nigeria Limited, owners of Villa Park Hotels, Chief Livinus Anigbogu; and the CEO of Landmark Africa Group, owners of Landmark Hotel & Resort, Paul Onwuanibe have expressed excitement over their emergence as winners of The Sun Hospitality Icon Award 2025.
Anigbogu and Onwuanibe will be honoured alongside 36 other Nigerians and two corporate organisations at The Sun Awards ceremony holding at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on January 31, 2026.
The hospitality icons spoke separately in Lagos when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh led a team to present letters confirming their emergence as winners.
Anigbogbu, while receiving the letter, declared that the award will make him to continue doing what he has passion for.
He said: “Hospitality is my passion. The risk is high but it is one of the things we do to reduce unemployment in the society. When you employ people, there is a multiplier effect.
“I appreciate this great honour, so dearly. It is like I have received a national award. I thank you so much.”
Earlier in his address, The Sun MD described Anigbogu as an astute businessman, community builder, and philanthropist.
He said: “As the Chief Executive Officer of Villa Park Hotel & Suites, you have successfully managed the hotel to become a leading name in the hospitality industry.
“With Villa Park Hotels, you have brought a touch of class and professionalism to hospitality. In the two major cities – Abuja and Lagos – where the hotels are located, they provide comfort, care, and pleasure.”
Ukeh also noted that Anigbogu is a well known philanthropist, who has used education to uplift society by offering scholarship to deserving students and funding various academic initiatives.
On his part, Onwuanibe expressed gratitude to The Sun Board of Editors for recognising his contributions to national development through the hospitality industry.
He said despite the major setback his business suffered, as a result of the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, he would continue to contribute to the growth of the economy through investments in the hospitality sector.
He also disclosed that he has laid plans to expand his hospitality business network to other parts of the country with Landmark Nike Lake Resort as a new destination for leisure.
Earlier, The Sun MD had, while presenting the letter of nomination to Onwuanibe, noted that as the Founder and Group CEO of Landmark Africa Group, he has exhibited visionary leadership, transforming how people think about workplaces, leisure, and innovation across Africa.
Ukeh said: “From architecture to entrepreneurship, your story is one of vision, adaptability, and bold execution.
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“In 2007, you discovered a piece of undeveloped property by the beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos. You set out to create a sort of choice location where people could conduct business and also engage in leisure activities. You made it a resort, with a hotel and beachfront amenities that became a leisure destination.
“Even though the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway disrupted the leisure ecosystem you created at the Landmark beach, Lagos, causing you a loss of billions of naira, you are undeterred in your resolve to give Nigerians a leisure destination. You have moved to Enugu and signed an agreement with the Enugu State government to take over Nike Lake Resort and turn it around.
“With this agreement, the Landmark Nike Lake Resort, situated on the banks of Nike Lake in Enugu, Nigeria, has emerged. The resort’s expansive ground has a golf course that can be used by both local and international players. There are halls for special events and exclusive conferences as well as luxurious accommodation with scenic lake views.
“The Landmark Nike Lake Resort has boosted tourism in Enugu State, drawing visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.”
He also pointed out that under Onwuanibe’s watch, the Landmark Group has made significant advancement in the hospitality and real estate sectors.
“It is on record that you have raised in excess of $100 million of funding for Landmark and has grown the company to achieve a PWC-endorsed book valuation in excess of $300 million,” the Sun MD added.
Apart from Anigbogu and Onwuanibe, other individuals and organisations 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, Governor Dauda Lawal 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 Gov 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.
The Minister of the Year goes to Mr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT, while the Lifetime Achievement Award would be received by Oba Rashid Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); Alhaji Buba Galadima, and Chief Simeon Eyisi, Chairman/CEO, SIMS Nigeria Limited.
Like Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith, the Public Service Personality award will also be received by Dr. Emeka Agbasi, MD/CEO, Federal Road Maintenance Agency, while the Banker of the Year award goes to Mr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, MD, Premium Trust Bank Plc. Investor of the Year award will be received by Dr. Julius Rone, CEO, UTM Offshore Limited; Chief Andrew Oru, Chairman, Rojitel Group and Engr. 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, Fortune 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 of Seman Global Concept Limited.
The Humanitarian Service Icon award goes to Sen. Jubril Barau, Deputy Senate President, and Dr. Obioma Success Akagburuonye, CEO of Praco International Limited.
The Courage in Leadership award would be received by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, while the Nollywood Icon award goes to 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.
