Ganduje, Nwobodo describe The Sun Award as most respected in Nigeria

Two of Nigeria’s most experienced political figures, former Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and former Anambra State Governor, Senator Jim Nwobodo, have expressed deep appreciation to The Sun for finding them worthy to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

The duo spoke separately when the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, led a management team to present letters nominating them for the award, whose investiture holds on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 7pm.

Dr. Ganduje thanked The Sun for the honour, describing the newspaper as “one of the most respected publications in Nigeria.”

He said the award shows The Sun as “truly interested in the development and growth of Nigeria.”

The former governor said unlike other awards he had received in the past, “nobody asked me for money. I was not even aware of the nomination. I did not lobby. It came purely on merit, as it should.”

He noted that The Sun has organised the awards ceremony for two decades, with the standard improving each year.

“It is our award, and it encourages me to keep doing my best for as long as God gives me good health and life,” he said.

Senator Nwobodo, the first civilian governor of old Anambra State, on his part, spoke warmly of The Sun and the people behind it.

He noted the difficulty of publishing in Nigeria, saying anyone who has built and sustained a newspaper “must be a true professional, highly intelligent and resilient.”

Nwobodo said The Sun’s strong presence in all parts of Nigeria has made it an essential read.

“Whenever you pick up a copy of The Sun, you feel you are reading something worthwhile,” he said, adding that it helps balance the politics of the day.

The award, he said, is much appreciated, stating: “I deeply appreciate this award, not just for what it represents, but because it was given out of genuine love and understanding for me and my family.”

The Sun MD, said the two former governors’ selections followed extensive deliberations by the Board of Editors and was based on merit.

He cited Dr. Ganduje’s service as Deputy Governor, two-term governor of Kano State and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling him one of the most accomplished statesmen of Northern Nigeria extraction.

He described Senator Nwobodo as “a towering figure in Nigeria’s political history” whose tenure as governor in Anambra State produced institutions that “still endure.”

Apart from Ganduje and Nwobodo, award winners are Governor Hope Uzodimma, who will receive Man of the Year award; Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna) and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) (Governor of the Year), who will be honoured with Governor of the Year award.

Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State, is First Lady of the Year, with the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, receiving the Courage in Leadership Award.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele will receive Senator of the Year award, with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, emerging as Political Icon of the Year, while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is Most Innovative Legislator of the Year and Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, member representing Borno State, will receive the House of Representatives Member if the Year award.

In entertainment, celebrated music star Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli (Flavour) wins Creative Icon of the Year award.

Other to receive awards are Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education (Minister of the Year), the Lifetime Achievement Award goes Ogun State Governor and serving senator, Gbenga Daniel; Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Most Rev Margaret Benson-Idahosa, former Chairman of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Chief Mrs. Teju Phillips, former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo and former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje.

Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Sonny S.T. Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund; and Dr. Kunemofa Asu, Director of Finance and Accounts, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will receive Public Service Personality Award, with the Real Estate Icon Award going to Mr. Samuel Ajose, CEO of Levitikal Group, and Dr. Mrs. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, CEO of Homadil Realty.

Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba, is receive Banker of the Year award, while Access Bank Plc wins Bank of the Year.

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, will receive the Parastatal of the Year award.

Those to receive Entrepreneur of the Year award are Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Ltd; abd Mr. George Obi, Chairman/CEO of Fidel Associates Limited, with Chief Sunday Ephraim Ezeobiora, Chairman of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited, and Chief Anthony Obele, CEO, Mekens Integrated Nigeria Limited clinching the Investor of the Year.

The Industrialist of the Year award will be received by Chief Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group; Chief Ikenna Ekeagu, CEO of Blueworld Cosmetics; and Dr. Badamasi Burji, Group Managing Director of First Class Refreshment Limited, with Chief Kester Okike Agwu, Founder/CEO of Tastia Restaurants, and Chief RemiChris Nwagbo, Chairman of BON Octagon Hotel, Abuja, billed for honour with Hospitality Icon award.

The Sports Personality of the Year award will be received by Chief Leo Edochie, a renowned gold promoter and Chairman/CEO of Solotone Global Ventures Limited, with Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh, Founder of Ofiafuluego Foundation and Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, CEO, Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd., receiving the Humanitarian Service Icon Award, while HRM Alexander Uzo Onyido, the Igwe of Ogidi, will be honoured as Royal Father of the Year.