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Two of Abuja’s best-known hospitality figures, Chief Kester Okike Agwu, founder and chief executive of Tastia Restaurant, and Chief RemiChris Nwagbo, chairman of BON Hotel Octagon, have described The Sun Hospitality Icon Award 2026 as a validation of their years of quiet work, and a call to do more.
Both men, who spoke when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, in company of Iheanacho Nwosu, Editor, Daily Sun; Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Editor, Nation’s Capital & North; Fred Itua, Politics Editor and Chinwe Obioha, Deputy Business Manager, presented their nomination letters, are among eminent Nigerians who will be honoured at The Sun Awards ceremony on Friday, November 13, 2026 holding at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos from 7pm.
For Chief Agwu, the honour came as a surprise. “Honestly, I was not expecting this, because, for me, this is simply what we should be doing for humanity,” he said.
He added that service to others, not applause, drives his business as he thanked The Sun for singling out his team for their good work.
Agwu promised “to keep doing what we are doing, and with God’s help, we will continue to improve and do even better.”
Chief Nwagbo, on his part, said he had followed The Sun Awards and the high reputation associated with it.
He said that the standard of Bon Hotel Octagon is topnotch, with modern facilities.
Earlier, Ukeh said the selection of Agwu and Nwagbo was based on merit after extensive deliberations by the Board of Editors.
On Chief Agwu, he recalled that the businessman began with Vegas Lounge and Café in 2012 before opening first Tastia foutlet in Gwarimpa, Abuja, in 2020.
Ukeh described Chief Agwu as an unassuming and skilful entrepreneur who has built a brand known for consistent quality and taste, noting that the 250-capacity Tastia Restaurant and Bakery in Wuse 2, Abuja passes for the biggest food court in the federal capital.
He also praised Chief Agwu as an employer of about 2,000 people, describing him as a businessman who takes pleasure in creating jobs for all grades of the unemployed by redefining the criteria for employment.
Ukeh called Chief Nwagbo a visionary entrepreneur with interests in technology and hospitality, with BON Hotel Octagon as his audacious addition to the business group.
He described Bon Hotel Octagon as premium hotel, which offers a blend of comfort, luxury, style and tranquillity, with 225 rooms and suites, ranging from Classic rooms to Presidential suites.
Ukeh noted that Chief Nwagbo is also chief executive of Remi-Chris Computers, a certified HP Gold Partner, describing him as a popular philanthropist in Urualla, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.
Apart from Agwu and Nwagbo, other award winners are Governor Hope Uzodimma, who will receive Man of the Year award as well as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna), Governor Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue), and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), 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 of 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, Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC), Mr. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund, will receive Public Service Personality Award.
Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba wins the Banker of the Year award, while Access Bank Plc is Bank of the Year, with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, clinching the Parastatal of the Year award.
Entrepreneur of the Year award will be received by Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Ltd and Chief George Obi, CEO of Fidel Associates Limited, with Dr. Samuel Ajose, Chairman/CEO of Levitikal Group and Dr. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, CEO of Homadil Realty Limited receiving Real Estate Icon Award.
The Industrialist of the Year award will be received by Chief Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group Limited, Dr. Badamasi Burji, GMD of First Class Refreshment Limited and Chief Ikenna Ekeagu, Founder of Blueworld Cosmetics, 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.
Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh, Founder of Ofiafuluego Foundation and Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, CEO, Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd., while receive the Humanitarian Service Icon Award, with HRM Alexander Uzo Onyido, the Igwe of Ogidi, being honoured as Royal Father of the Year.
Chief Leo Edochie, Chairman/CEO of Solotone Global Ventures Limited will receive Sports Personality of the Year award, while Mr. Chima Christian, Co-founder of Teva Foods Limited, will be honoured with Young Achiever Award, with Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 15-years old autistic Nigerian Guinness World Records holder, receiving Nigerian Hero Award.
