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Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu and Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo, have described their awards nomination by The Sun as humbling and memorable.
They said the recognition will spur them to go extra mile in rendering service to humanity.
Gov Otu and Bishop Okonkwo, winners of The Sun Governor of the Year and The Sun Lifetime Achievement awards respectively, with 35 others and two organisations will be honoured at The Sun Awards ceremony billed for January 31 at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking separately in Calabar and Lagos when the Managing Director/Editor- in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, led Management teams to present letters of their nomination, Senator Otu and Bishop Okonkwo commended The Sun for upholding fairness and professionalism in news management.
Governor Otu said that his selection as Governor of the Year would make him do more for a better Cross River State.
He said: “I thank God for this and also The Sun for doing an independent investigation to see what we are doing. For all we have done, the aim is to impact positively on the society. I am very happy for this and Cross Riverians will be happy as well.”
Stating that what his government has achieved is foundational and fundamental to the people, Governor Otu said: “This award will spur us to do more; we will continue to improve the state; we will continue to work hard to take the state to where we want it to be.”
On his part, Bishop Okonkwo thanked The Sun management for sustaining the high standard of its awards, while promising to live for God and humanity.
“The Sun awards is loved by all because it is based on merit. Thank you for sustaining the high standard,“ the cleric said.
Bishop Okonkwo said that life is meaningful if deployed for service, explaining: “ You can only sleep on one bed, no matter the amount of money you have. You can only sit on a chair at a time. Life is better when it is used for the service of others.”
Earlier, The Sun MD commended Governor Otu and Bishop Okonkwo for distinguishing themselves in the service of humanity.
He said that Governor Otu has done well in office in the last two and half years.
He said: “Under your leadership, Cross River State has consolidated its status as a place of peace and stability. Your conscious efforts to provide the requisite infrastructure, formulate the right policies and provide incentives have made tremendous impact. You have attracted scores of Foreign Direct Investments, which has caused a boost in the Internally Generated Revenue to about N40 billion per month and boosted the economy of the state. You have also shown commitment to the realisation of the Bakassi Deep Seaport, which you described as central to the state’s economic revitalisation.
“Your administration set a record by being the first in the South South region to launch an ambitious 365-kilometer rail line project, connecting Calabar to Obudu, a project aimed to enhance transportation and economic integration within the state.
“With ‘Project Grow’ programme, your administration has revitalized agriculture in the state. Apart from investing in mechanized farming, and diversifying crop production, your government allocated hectares of land for the production of cassava and donated boats to fishermen to enable them to fish in large quantities. Your government also provided tractors for small-scale farmers to ease their jobs and produce crops massively. At present, the state has become one of the largest cocoa producers.
“In the education sector, your administration has encouraged young girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to prepare them for the future. The girls were initiated into a programme known as the STEM Initiative. The University of Calabar (UNICAL) and Cross River State University have equally received more facilities and hostels to accommodate more students. Your government also declared free tuition for Cross Riverians in Public Primary and Secondary Schools in the state to enable all to get a basic education.
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“Under your watch, the health sector has received commendable attention. Most local government hospitals and healthcare centres have received a new look and have been equipped to meet the minimum standard. Your government established Jennifer Etuh Medical Facility, a state-of-the-art hospital for the people and is actively responding to health crises.”
In the case of Bishop Okonkwo, Ukeh commended him for his boldness in preaching the gospel and speaking truth to power.
He said: “You have left no one in doubt that you are a true servant of God and defender of the faith. You preach the gospel with passion. You speak truth to power. You lead people to Christ. You have a large congregation as TREM has since grown into over 180 branches across Nigeria and other parts of the world.
“You are well recognised as a renowned evangelist, a strong advocate of balanced Christianity, pastor to many pastors and a father to many. Your life and conduct are an inspiration to many and a clear example of true Christianity, with Pentecostal bent. This is why many people recognise you as father of the Pentecostal faith in Nigeria.
“You are also a statesman, variously intervening and defusing crisis in your hometown, Ogbunike, and deeply involved in various outreach programmes, including prison ministry, care for the less privileged and youth empowerment, among others.”
Apart from Gov Otu and Bishop Okonkwo, other people to receive awards include Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Senator Solomon Adeola representing Ogun West (Man of the Year). Gov Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano 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 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 Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia South; Oba Rashid Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland; 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; Dr. 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, 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 to Sen. Jubril Barrau, Deputy Senate President; Dr. Johnbosco Ozigbo, CEO, Burnsville Integrated Service Limited, 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.
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.
The Sun Award 2025 will hold at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on January 31, 2026.
