Gombe State governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, has described The Sun Awards as a priceless gift he holds in high esteem even as he praised the newspaper for using its platform to promote national cohesion and unity.
Yahaya stated this in Abuja when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, presented a letter nominating him as The Sun Governor of the Year for 2023.
The Governor and 33 others would receive different categories of awards at The Sun Awards ceremony slated for February 17, 2024 in Lagos.
Expressing deep appreciation for the honour, Governor Yahaya said he was surprised that his developmental strides in for-away Gombe State were being noticed outside his state.
He gave assurance to continue using his position as governor to better the lives of his people, noting that the award would spur him to do more in the coming months and years in office.
He said: “I’m so delighted that I’ve been chosen to receive this award. I want to express my delight and happiness because this is a rare thing that comes once in a year. I’m happy that we’ve been recognised for our modest efforts to make Gombe State better. I thought that some of the Things we’ve been doing in Gombe weren’t noticed.
“You took your time and went through a rigorous process to select the awardees. This has showed that for every good that we do, people are watching and one day, we’ll be rewarded. We went into office so that we can serve the people. That’s the purpose of governance.
“I’m happy to say that across all sectors, especially the ones you listed, we’ve done our best to better the lives of our people. I appreciate the recognition. This award is not for me alone; it is for the entire people of Gombe State. I hold The Sun Awards in high esteem.”
Earlier, The Sun MD listed reasons Governor Yahaya was chosen as Governor of the Year by the Board of Editors of The Sun.
Ukeh noted: “Many people refer to you as a visionary governor, which has shown clearly in the years you have been the head of government in Gombe State.
“Your giant strides in the infrastructure and socio-economic development in Gombe State are visible for even the opposition to acknowledge.
“In the education sector, your administration initiated and executed the construction of over 234 new classroom blocks across 80 schools in the state to enhance enrolment. You also renovated 190 classroom blocks across 47 schools to ensure that there are conducive learning environments in the state, among others.”
Ukeh said Governor Yahaya has also done much in the health sector, stating: “Maternal and infant mortality rates in Gombe State have reduced as a result of your policy of training over 500 midwives to take charge of child deliveries and providing the requisite equipment.
“Your government has upgraded the Specialist Hospital in Gombe to a modern tertiary health facility with state-of-the-art equipment and well- trained and highly professional medical personnel.”
On roads, The Sun MD said: “The state’s road network has been vastly improved upon and modernised with the construction and rehabilitation of thousands of kilometers of roads under your policy of at least constructing 100 kilometers of roads in each of the 11 local government areas of the state, which is unprecedented in the history of the state.
“It is noteworthy that you also gave priority to the agricultural sector by subsidising the cost of fertilizer to the tune of N5, 000 per bag, coupled with relatively low price of farm seedlings, provision of pesticides, tractors, harvesters, planters and other critical agricultural tools and equipment.
Other who will receive awards with Governor Yahaya are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Groiup and Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, InnosonVehicleManufacturingLimited (Man of the Year); Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State; Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State and Governor; Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Rev. Uma Ukpai and Prof Awa Kalu, SAN (Lifetime Achievement Award); HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife and HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri (Most Impactful Royal Father).
Others are Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate, Labour Party (LP) (Political Icon); Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, Chairman/CEO
Richland Property and Homes Limited, Lagos; Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze), Chairman, Diamond Leeds Ltd and Chief Peter Oge Obi
Chairman, SeaMap Group of Companies (Businessman of the Year); High Chief Dr Christopher Ndubuisi, Chairman, Pinnatech Engeering Nigeria Limited; Dr. Oludare Akande
Chairman, Bellagio Airlines Limited and Dr. Jayne Onwumere, MD, Property World Africa Network (PWAN) Group (Investor of the Year); Dr. Uche Ogah, President, Masters Energy Group and Chief Celestine Ebubeogu, Chairman, Tiger Foods and Chief James Uzuh, Chairman, J_Jumac Industries Ltd (Industrialist of the Year); Chief Ikenna Okafor, Chairman, Kevs Global Leasing Ltd; Lady Adaora Umeoji, DMD, Zenith Bank Plc and Archbishop Dr. Emeka Agwu
President, Voice of Evangelism International
Houston, Texas, USA ( Humanitarian Service Icon).
Amb. Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, First Lady, Kwara State and Founder, Ajike People Support Centre will receive the First Lady of the Year Award; Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chairman, Tantita Security (Courage in Leadership Award); Mr. Robert Aziboala, Founder; Zeetin Engineering Limited, Managing Director ofQ Kakatar Group; Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO, Nigerian Upstream Petroluem Regulatory Commission and Mr. Charles Odii, DG, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) (Public Service Award); Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO, Wema Bank and Mr. Femi Bakre, Managing Director, Parallex Bank (Banker of the Year); Bukola Olopade, MD/CEO, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd. (Sport Personality of the Year); Lady Ngozi Ezeonu and Tobi Bakare (Nollywood Icon of the Year).