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Governors Umar Namadi of Jigawa State and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State have said the recognition of their work by The Sun Newspaper will spur them to do more for their people.
They thanked The Sun for naming them among the winners of Governor of the Year award for 2026.
Speaking separately when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, led a management team to present nomination letters for the award, the governors praised The Sun for its fairness, depth of research and standing as a national institution.
Governor Namadi said The Sun had shown a high regard for fairness, noting that the newspaper encourages those who are making progress rather than those driven by solicitation.
He said Jigawa has strived to bring itself to its present level, adding that he truly valued and appreciated the award.
The governor said the honour meant a great deal to him and Nasarawa State, and that he had followed the awards since his years in Lagos, watching the newspaper grow steadily into one of the most glamorous platforms of its kind in the country.
He thanked The Sun for doung a great research on the state to unearth his achievements, stating: “We don’t take this award lightly; we actually value it highly.”
Earlier, The Sun MD said Governor Sule was chosen because he had pursued a progressive agenda to make Nasarawa State one of the three most competitive economies in Nigeria.
He said the administration had lifted the state into a top 10 investment destination, attracting more than $2.3 billion, and had delivered projects such as the N16 billion Lafia Flyover and underpass as well as the Lafia Secretariat Complex.
He added that more than 8,000 teaching and non-teaching staff had been recruited, a medical school established at Nasarawa State University, and the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital upgraded to a Federal University Teaching Hospital.
Governor Namadi, on his part, said his administration’s 12-point agenda had placed human capital at the centre of governance.
He said the agenda was crafted from his experience as a commissioner and deputy governor, each for four years, and that no part of it had been left untouched.
The governor said the state sponsored students for Medicine, Engineering or on special admission courses.
He said the state set up 54 training centres, and more than 9,914 of them later passed with five credits including English and Mathematics.
According to him, the scheme targets female students, who are employed at Grade Level 3 and paid a salary while studying.
Governor Namadi added that over 1,340 kilometres of roads had been completed in three years, and all local government diesel streetlights converted to solar.
Talking about the governor’s achievements, Mr. Ukeh noted Governor Sule’s enactment of the Child Rights Act, tougher penalties for kidnapping and rape, and the identification of the country’s largest lithium deposit.
The awards ceremony will be held on November 13, 2026, at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Apart from Namadi and Sule, other Governor of the Year winners are Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna) and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) (Governor of the Year).
Governor Hope Uzodimma is winner of Man of the Year, while 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 the Creative Icon of the Year award.
Others 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/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Sonny S.T. Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund; and Dr. Kunemofa Asu, Director of Finance and Accounts, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will receive Public Service Personality Award, with the Real Estate Icon Award going to Mr. Samuel Ajose, CEO of Levitikal Group, and Dr. Mrs. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, CEO of Homadil Realty.
Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba, is to receive Banker of the Year award, while Access Bank Plc wins Bank of the Year.
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, will receive the Parastatal of the Year award.
Those to receive Entrepreneur of the Year award are Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Ltd; and Mr. George Obi, Chairman/CEO of Fidel Associates Limited, with Chief Sunday Ephraim Ezeobiora, Chairman of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited, and Chief Anthony Obele, CEO, Mekens Integrated Nigeria Limited clinching the Investor of the Year.
The Industrialist of the Year award will be received by Chief Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group; Chief Ikenna Ekeagu, CEO of Blueworld Cosmetics; and Dr. Badamasi Burji, Group Managing Director of First Class Refreshment Limited, 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.
The Sports Personality of the Year award will be received by Chief Leo Edochie, a renowned gold promoter and Chairman/CEO of Solotone Global Ventures Limited, with Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh, Founder of Ofiafuluego Foundation and Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, CEO, Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd., receiving the Humanitarian Service Icon Award, while HRM Alexander Uzo Onyido, Igwe of Ogidi, will be honoured as Royal Father of the Year.
