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The Chairman, SIMS Nigeria Limited, Chief Simeon Eyisi and the Chairman, Seaman Group, High Chief Emeka Agbanari, have expressed gratitude to The Sun Board of Editors for their nomination for the 2025 The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award and Industrialist of the Year Award respectively.
Eyisi and Agbanari spoke separately in Lagos while receiving management teams of The Sun Publishing Limited, led by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Onuoha Ukeh.
Eyisi and Agbanari would be honoured with 35 others and two organisations at The Sun Awards ceremony holding at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on January 31, 2026.
Eyisi said he was surprised that The Sun took note of his activities and found him worthy to be honoured.
He said that he accepted the award because The Sun is a reputable media organization.
Eyisi told the management of The Sun that the award will encourage others to know what humanity is all about.
He said: “I do not know how you got so much information about me because most of the things we do, we do them quietly. On behalf of my family and SIMS Nigeria Limited, I thank you for digging up facts about my achievements.
“The acceptance of this award is predicated on the fact that it is coming from a reputable organisation.
“Thank you because this award will encourage others to know what humanity is all about. In a country where many people believe that our leaders have failed us, it is good to bring out the good things that people are doing.
“Thank you for finding me worthy of this award. It’s not just me; it’s also about the family and the entire company. Having found us worthy, we promise that we will keep moving in the right direction so that you will not find us wanting or feel disappointed.”
Earlier, The Sun MD felicitated with Eyisi on his achievements as the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of SIMS Nigeria Limited.
Ukeh said that as the Chairman and CEO of SIMS Nigeria Limited, Eyisi has distinguished himself as a prominent business leader and industrialist.
He said: “You stand out as a quintessential Igbo businessman with uncommon entrepreneurial skills.
“You began your business life as a salesman for Ibeanu Brothers, one of the biggest names in electronics marketing in the South-East in the 1970s. With a commitment to succeed in life, you rose through the ranks to the managerial cadre in the company, and eventually set up your own company, SIMS Nigeria Limited at Enugu in 1987.
“By the early 2000s, you shifted base to Lagos and struck a deal with Samsung and other major manufacturers of electronics to become their representative in Nigeria.
“Soon after that, you expanded SIMS to become an assembly plant for a variety of equipment you had been importing as fully-built electronic gadgets. With your skilful marketing strategies, SIMS later became the West African hub for these electronics. You went ahead to widen your business territory, diversifying into manufacturing of uninterrupted power supply systems and real estate.”
On his part, Agbanari hailed The Sun for the award, declaring that The Sun is one of the greatest newspapers of this generation.
While saying that it was a great honour to have been nominated for such an award, Agbanari emphasised that he does not take the award for granted.
Agbanari said: “I want to use this opportunity to thank you. The Sun is one of the greatest newspapers of our time. I know it couldn’t have been an easy process for anyone to emerge as a winner of The Sun Awards.
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“For me it’s a great honour to be chosen as Industrialist of the Year, and I do not take it for granted. Thank you to each and everyone who was part of the rigorous process to pick me as one of the award winners for 2025.”
Addressing Agbanari, Ukeh said his success story embodied resilience and the transformative power of purpose.
He stated: “You rose from a humble beginning to become a towering industrialist and one of Nigeria’s most inspiring symbols of enterprise and generosity.
“At just 16, you left your hometown for Lagos, armed with just a little more than ambition and an unshakable will to succeed. With a background steeped in the values of hard work, humility, patience, and faith, you aimed for success.
“Despite the fact that the journey was not easy, you pressed forward and held onto your greatest asset, which is the courage to dream beyond your circumstances and the determination to turn every obstacle into an opportunity.
“Your resilience and can-do spirit paid off. Today, you stand at the helm of Seaman Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction, telecommunications, trade, as well as oil & gas.”
Ukeh also said that under Agbanari’s visionary leadership, his company has become a model of indigenous enterprise, creating thousands of jobs, strengthening local economies, and demonstrating that Nigerian businesses can compete and thrive on the global stage.
The Sun MD said: “Among the flagship investments that have earned you this award is the Seaman Rice Processing Mill, situated in Nnobi. It is one of the largest industrial projects in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“The facility has not only boosted agriculture and food security, but has also become a source of pride and empowerment for the local population. Through your business ventures, you have redefined what it means to build industries that serve both economic and social purposes.”
Apart from Eyisi and Agbanari, 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, GovDauda 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 Ibadanland; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) and Alhaji Buba Galadima, former Secretary of defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC).
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, Point Technologies 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, 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 and Chief Obioma Success Akagburuonye, Founder/CEO of Praco International Limited, with the Hospitality Icon award going to Mr. Paul Onwuanibe, CEO, Landmark Africa Group, owners of Landmark 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 Natthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, while the Nollywood Icon award goes to Kenneth Okonkwo, star actor/ film producer.
Mrs. Onyeka Michael-Ugwu, founder, Hello Perfect and Mr. Tunde Onakoya, founder, Chess in Slum Africa would receive the Young Achievers award, with Zenith Bank Plc receiving the Bank of the Year award and Opay Digital Services Limited receiving Fintech/Digital Bank of the Year award.
