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The Chief Executive Officer of Fortune Global, Dr. Eric Opah, and the Chairman of Zobis Cables Nigeria Limited, Chief John Ezeobi, have described their emergence as winners of the 2025 edition of The Sun Awards as pleasant surprise, and a cherished recognition of their efforts to build international brands.
Opah and Ezeobi, who will receive The Sun Entrepreneur of the Year, and Industrialist of the Year awards respectively, spoke separately in Lagos and Abuja when the Management of The Sun Publishing Limited, led by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Onuoha Ukeh, presented nomination letters to them.
They will be honoured alongside 34 other outstanding Nigerians and two organisations at The Sun Awards ceremony holding at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on January 31, 2026.
Opah said he was excited and felt greatly honoured to receive the team at the corporate head office of Fortune Global in Lagos, adding that the award was the first of its kind in his bag of honours.
He said: “This is the first award of this magnitude that I’m going to receive. I’ve been nominated for several awards, but I declined because I do not subscribe to an award that I have to pay for.
“I accept award that is merited. And this is one of such awards. I’m very proud of it. I want to sincerely thank the Board of Editors of The Sun Publishing Limited for the choice they have made.
“I have been attending The Sun Awards for the past five years or so. And I can attest to how elaborate and prestigious it is. I did not apply for it. I know how rigorous the selection process could be, so when I heard about it, I was pleasantly surprised.”
Opah also commended the management of The Sun for sustaining the credibility and the integrity of the awards, which he said is a major reason The Sun newspapers have gone far.
“We will sustain the efforts and other reasons for which this award is being bestowed on me,” Opah promised.
While presenting the nomination letter to Opah earlier, The Sun MD pointed out that he gained considerable experience in the global shipping and logistics industry in Panalpina World Transport Group due to his passion for excellence, leading to the establishment of Fortune Global.
Ukeh said: “Over the years, you have demonstrated a sublime level of entrepreneurial ingenuity that is uncommon among your peers, creating job opportunities across the country and establishing a reputation for integrity.
“Your expertise in air cargo handling operations played a major role in the establishment of China Southern Airlines in Nigeria, where you later became the Director of Cargo Operations.
“Under your leadership, Fortune Global’s operational footprint has expanded to major ports across Nigeria and key logistics hubs in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
“Through visionary management and commitment to service excellence, you have made the company a model of Nigerian enterprise with global relevance.
The Sun MD also noted that following Opah’s years of distinguished leadership as the CEO of Fortune Global and remarkable brilliance in freight forwarding and cargo handling, which he showcased at local and international levels, he is well respected in the Nigerian Institute of Logistics, and the Nigerian Ports and Terminal Management Academy of Nigeria.
Opah said: “Your record of performance is not limited to entrepreneurial and business expertise. You are a philanthropist, a grassroots community developer, and a strong youth development and empowerment advocate.”
Ezeibi, on his part, affirmed that the award would be a recognition of his efforts to build a standard company of international repute.
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“I want to sincerely thank the Management of The Sun Publishing Limited for sustaining the credibility of this Award till date. I commend the decision of your media outfit to recognise my modest efforts in building this company into a global brand. I feel honoured because the award will project me further into the limelight.”
Earlier, The Sun MD felicitated with Ezeobi on his achievements as the CEO of Zobis Cables Nigeria Limited.
Ukeh said Ezeobi had been adjudged as a Nigerian entrepreneur whose journey from a trader to one of the most successful industrialists is a remarkable tale of ambition, resilience, and innovation.
He said Ezeobi’s parent company, John Zobis Group, has become a big player in manufacturing, oil and gas, supplies of genuine electrical products and construction.
Ukeh added: “John Zobis Electrical Wires and Cable Limited is a bustling hub of activities where skilled workers, artisans and technicians with diverse knowledge work together to produce high-quality electrical wires and cables that meet international standards.
“The factory, sited on over 400 plots of land at Okoti-Odekpe in Anambra State is one of the largest companies owned by a single individual in the state.
“Zobis Electrical Wires and Cable Limited is adjudged to be among the top 20 most successful and visible companies in Anambra State in terms of size, staff strength, capitalisation, output and Corporate Social Responsibility.
“Even with the success story of the Zobis Group, you are arguably one of the youngest and most successful industrialists in Anambra State. Going by the performance rating of your companies and the expansion drive, the group is projected to be among the largest in the country in the next few years.”
Apart from Opah and Ezeobi, other individuals and organisations that will 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, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Governor 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 of the Year award would be received by Governor 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 Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); and Chief Simeon Eyisi, Chairman/CEO, SIMS Nigeria Limited.
The Public Service Personality award will be received by Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith, Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, and Dr. Emeka Agbasi, MD/CEO, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) while the Banker of the Year goes to Mr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, MD, Premium Trust Bank Plc, just as Investor of the Year award will be received by Dr. Julius Rone, CEO, UTM Offshore Limited; Dr. Andrew Oru, Chairman, Rojitel Group; and Engr. Oguchi Emeka, Chairman/CEO, Pointek Limited.
Apart from Opah, the Entrepreneur of the Year award would also be received by Prince Charles Ezeagwu, CEO, Charzin Group; and Mr. Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, Chairman, Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited.
Similarly, in the Industrialist of the Year category, Ezeobi will be honoured alongside Chief Emeka Agbanari, Chairman, Seaman Group, and Chief Peter Orogwu, chairman, Chuby Zion Industries Limited, with the Real Estate Icon award going to Dr. Stephen Maxwell Nweze, Chairman, Seman Global Concept Limited.
The Humanitarian Service Icon award goes to Sen. Barau I. Jibrin, Deputy Senate President, with the Hospitality Icon award going to Mr. Paul Onwuanibe, CEO, Landmark Africa Group, owners of Landmark Hotel & Resorts, and Chief Livinus Anibogu, CEO, AG Lexon Nig. Limited, owners of Villa Park Hotel & Suites.
The Courage in Leadership award would be received by Bishop Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, while the Nollywood Icon award goes to Dr. Kenneth Okonkwo, ace actor, film producer and activist.
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.
