…As they receive The Sun’s Governor of the Year Awards
By Daniel Kanu and Seye Ojo
In a grand ceremony celebrating exemplary leadership and governance, The Sun Publishing Limited honoured five state governors with the prestigious Governor of the Year Award for 2024.
The recipients, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu; Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago; and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, all expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the awards to their people and pledging to intensify their efforts in driving development and delivering democratic dividends.
Prof. Soludo was presented with the award by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu just as he he described the honour as deeply humbling, recalling a similar recognition by The Sun 20 years ago when he was named Nigeria’s Man of the Year for his transformative role in the banking and financial sector as CBN governor.
“This is to thank the management of The Sun Newspapers. We’re particularly humbled because about 20 years ago, The Sun was one of the eight newspapers and magazines that simultaneously awarded us Nigeria’s Man of the Year because of our transformation of the banking and financial system. About 20 years after, The Sun Newspaper again happens to be one of the five newspapers that have now also simultaneously recognized us as the Governor of the Year 2024,” he said.
Soludo dedicated the award to the people of Anambra State, including the government, the “Solution Team,” and all stakeholders involved in the Anambra Transformation Project.
Governor Aliyu, also expressed his gratitude for the award, describing it as a motivating force to do more for his people.
In his brief remarks, Aliyu said, “This award is like a clarion call to me to further do more in providing the good people of Sokoto State dividends of democracy.”
He emphasized his commitment to improving the lives of Sokoto residents through sustained development initiatives.
In the same vein, Governor Bago described the recognition as a “great honour.”
He expressed his appreciation to The Sun for acknowledging his administration’s efforts in driving progress and development in Niger State. Bago reiterated his commitment to delivering impactful projects and policies that benefit the people of his state.
Governor Mutfwang, who also received the Governor of the Year Award, termed the recognition an “elixir” to spur his government to greater heights.
Mutfwang expressed gratitude to The Sun Newspapers and pledged to redouble his efforts in addressing the challenges facing Plateau State.
He emphasised his administration’s focus on peacebuilding, economic development, and improving the welfare of Plateau residents.