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Founder/CEO, Praco International Ltd, Chief Obioma Success Akagburuonye, as well as star actor and film producer, Kenneth Okonkwo, have thumbed up for The Sun for sustaining high journalism standards.
Akagburuonye, who will receive The Sun Humanitarian Service Icon award and Okonkwo, who will be honoured with The Sun Nollywood Icon award, are among 35 persons and two organisations, who will receive awards in different categories at The Sun Awards ceremony holding on January 31, 2026, at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Akagburuonye and Okonkwo spoke separately when the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Ltd, Onuoha Ukeh presented letters informing them of their emergence for the awards in Mbaise, Imo State and Abuja respectfully.
Akagburuonye, a renowned lawyer and philanthropist, thanked The Sun management for honouring deserving Nigerians.
He said the award will spur him to render more service to humanity.
The philanthropist said: “I give God the glory. If God did not honour me, The Sun wouldn’t have known me. Every honour comes from God and I’m very grateful to God. I thank you The Sun newspapers. It’s a recognition I will not take for granted. I want to assure you that this award will spur me to do greater things.”
Similarly, Okonkwo expressed happiness for the recognition and vowed to continue to work for the uplift of the entertainment industry and Nigeria generally.
He said: “Let me say that I sincerely appreciate this award given by The Sun Publishing Limited to me as the Nollywood Icon of the Year 2025.”
The multi-talented star said whenever one was given such an award, especially in one’s lifetime, it is something that one should be grateful to God about because one is alive to witness the impact of what one has done.
“I want to say thank you to the Almighty God for keeping me alive to see the dividends of what we did in the film industry,” Okonkwo said.
He recalled that when Nollywood started, people thought that actors were jesters, but because they brought in and sustained excellence, people acknowledged it was different.
“Today, Nollywood has given Nigeria glory. Millions of the youths are being employed. Nigeria is respected around the world mostly because of Nollywood than any other thing else,” he stated.
Okonkwo recalled that when they came out with ‘Living in Bondage’ in 1992, Nigeria was almost like a pariah nation because the country was still in the terminal end of the military regime, but the narrative changed with the impact the film industry made.
He said: “Nobody wanted to hear anything Nigeria, but Nollywood embellished the image of Nigeria. The whole world then realised that through creativity, people can change their nation. May this creativity reach all our sectors.
“The sacrifice that we made during the beginning of Nollywood is not in vain. I remember then we used to sleep on the hard floor when we finished our shootings; I remember the sacrifices taking the risk in the night, during the day. Thank God it paid off.”
Earlier the Sun MD commended Akagburuonye for his philanthropy and love for the people.
He said: “You are a man of many parts, being a lawyer, engineer, renowned entrepreneur, outstanding estate developer, philanthropist, politician, and community leader.
“Through your philanthropic programmes, you have, over the years, ensured that your wealth touches the lives of your Mbaise community and beyond.
“Using your Hope Rising, a humanitarian service foundation, you went into partnership with the Imo State Government to provide free medical services to Imo residents through the Imo State Health Insurance Agency.”
Ukeh also said ,,if Akagburuonye: “Using the Akaraugo Football Competition, you have been promoting sportsmanship, community spirit, and talent hunt, just as you use your Bro Success Bible Quiz and Choral Competition to enhance knowledge, offering scholarships to winners.
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“You are also popular for your prison decongestion efforts, having used a landmark case, “Engr. Success Obioma vs. Federal Republic of Nigeria” to challenge stringent bail conditions. By so doing, you set a standard that has been used to free many awaiting trials.
“Other philanthropic gestures you have facilitated include training and employment for graduates from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones; building and furnishing over 100 homes for indigent people, including your former secondary school teachers.
“You also built an ultra modern civil defence secretariat in your village, which now serves as the area command for Mbaise and has awarded over 1,000 education scholarships.
“Also, you have built an ultra modern 3, 000 capacity church in your village, while a 2, 000 capacity mini-stadium for your alma mater is still under construction. You are also constructing a 5-kilometre asphalt road in your community.
In the same vein, The Sun MD felicitated with Okonkwo on hisvachievements as one of the foremost Nollywood stars, who have made tremendous contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry.
Ukeh said Okonkwo stood out as a multi-talented star, having distinguished himself as an actor, lawyer, and a notable voice in national politics.
He said: “Your most enduring legacy is your pioneering role in the Nigerian film industry. As an actor, your career is foundational to the success story of Nollywood, primarily due to your iconic debut role.
“Most famous for starring as Andy Okeke in the 1992 blockbuster, Living in Bondage, you have appeared in numerous other Nollywood films since that movie that launched the Nigerian movie industry into fame.
“Your contributions to the development of the Nollywood industry have earned you notable recognition across the country.”
Ukeh also said that apart from Okonkwo’s towering image in the entertainment industry, his relevance is amplified by his background as a lawyer and his active participation in Nigerian politics.
Apart Akagburuonye and Okonkwo, 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 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 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 Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia South; Oba Rashid Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadan; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); Alhaji Buba Galadima, former Secretary of defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), and Chief Simeon Eyisi, Chairman/CEO, SIMS Nigeria Limited.
The Public Service Personality award would be received by Dr. Emeka Agbasi, DG, FERMA; and Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith, Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, with the Banker of the Year going to Mr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, MD, Premium Trust Bank Plc and Investor of the Year award going to Dr. Julius Rone, CEO, UTM Offshore Limited; Chief Andrew Oru, Chairman, Rojitel Group; and Engr. Oguchi Emeka, Chairman/CEO, Pointek 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, 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 Nike Lake Hotel & Resorts, and Chief Livinus Anigbogu, CEO, AG Lexon Nig. Limited, owners of Villa Park Hotel & Suites.
The Courage in Leadership award would be received by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, while Mrs. Onyeka Michael-Ugwu, founder, Hello Perfect and Mr. Tunde Onakoya, founder, Chess in Slum Africa, would receive the Young Achievers award.
Zenith Bank Plc will receive the Bank of the Year award and Opay Digital Services Limited will be honoured with the Fintech/Digital Bank of the Year award.
