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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu; Governors Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger and Agbu Kefas of Taraba are among personalities billed for the 2025 Aljazirah Nigeria/London Newspapers Awards.
Also listed for recognition are Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Ojulari; and Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso.
Chairman of the Award Committee, Ibrahim Abubakar, in a statement, yesterday, said the Aljazirah Personality of the Year Awards were instituted to recognise excellence in leadership, integrity, innovation, public service and visionary governance.
He said the 2025 edition would recognise public figures and leaders whose contributions had made notable impact in Nigeria and beyond.
According to Abubakar, Tunji-Ojo is among those listed in the Minister of the Year category for what the organisers described as his transformative leadership at the Ministry of Interior.
“Under his leadership, the ministry has pursued significant reforms aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening institutional efficiency and deploying digital innovation across key areas of its operations.
“His efforts have particularly impacted passport processing, border surveillance, identity verification and correctional administration, contributing to improved efficiency, enhanced national security and strengthened public confidence in government services,” he said.
On Seyi Tinubu, Abubakar said he was being recognised for entrepreneurship, philanthropy and youth advocacy.
“Despite being born into a family with a prominent place in Nigeria’s political history, Oluwaseyi Abiodun Tinubu has continued to establish an independent identity through entrepreneurship, philanthropy and youth advocacy.
“He is recognised for his commitment to youth-focused humanitarian initiatives, including educational support, community outreach and interventions designed to empower young Nigerians,” he said.
Ike-Muonso, according to the organisers, is being honoured for his leadership of RMRDC and contribution to Nigeria’s raw materials development agenda, particularly in promoting innovation, value addition and industrial development.
Ojulari was listed for recognition for his leadership of NNPC Limited and efforts towards commercial discipline, restoration of joint-venture operations and investments in deep-water projects.
“He is also recognised for his role in advancing Nigeria’s ‘Decade of Gas’ ambitions through strategic infrastructure development, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline,” Abubakar said.
On the governors, the committee said Oborevwori was being recognised for infrastructure development and governance reforms under his M.O.R.E. Agenda.
Fubara was listed for what the organisers described as prudent fiscal management, infrastructure development, institutional reforms and investment in public services in Rivers State.
Sani, according to the committee, is being recognised for efforts at promoting stability, justice, equity and peaceful coexistence in Kaduna, as well as investments in education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
Kefas was cited for initiatives in Taraba, including measures against illegal mining, free and compulsory basic education, provision of more than 950 tractors to boost agriculture and engagement of 10,000 citizens in sanitation-related activities.
Diri was listed for infrastructure development, human capital investment and socio-economic initiatives in Bayelsa State.
Bago, the organisers said, is being recognised for his administration’s focus on agricultural transformation, infrastructure, economic expansion and human capital development, particularly efforts to position Niger State as a major contributor to Nigeria’s food security.
