Governors of Anambra and Plateau states, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and Mr. Caleb Mutfwang, respectively have said that their nominations for the Governor of the Year Award 2024 by The Sun Publishing Limited have not only placed more responsibility on their administrations but also will serve as motivation to do more.
They noted that the awards within their tenure in office meant that the modest achievements they had made so far in government were being monitored by people, vowing to continue to work hard to accomplish the dream of their administrations.
Governors Soludo and Mutfwang spoke separately when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, led delegations of the company’s management to present to them the letters of nomination as Governor of the Year 2024, in Awka, Anambra state and Abuja.
The governors and 34 others will be honoured at The Sun Awards celebration holding on March 1, 2025 in Lagos.
Praising The Sun for sustaining a tradition of professionalism , Soludo said “This award came to me as a huge surprise. I didn’t even know that those of you at The Sun media were watching our modest efforts. But I must say that I am accepting this award wholeheartedly because you didn’t inform me when the rigorous process of selection was going on. Many people give awards to make money; and nobody has asked me to bring money, which means that it’s done on merit.
“I must also state that The Sun Newspaper is an undisputable leader in the print media space in Nigeria. I have seen that people especially from this clime don’t feel complete until they have read The Sun every day. So, this shows the critical place you occupy in information dissemination and development. So, going forward, we would be partnering you in some of the programmes we do particularly in changing some awkward attitudes we find here.”
Focusing on the achievements of his government , he noted that the administration has been able to actualise most of its campaign promises, adding that the current effort was in provision of robust security, infrastructure and ease of doing business.
Soludo declared that his administration would not relent in taking decisions that would position and sustain Anambra as one of the leading states in Nigeria, including building a solid private sector-driven economy.
Earlier, The Sun MD said that Soludo’s nomination was based on merit and came after a rigorous process that lasted several weeks of debate and scrutiny by the newspaper’s Board of Editors.
Listing why Soludo was chosen, Ukeh said: “Coming with the slogan ‘Solution is Here,’ your administration is rebuilding Anambra State with a road revolution and infrastructure upgrade in all sectors moving at great speed.
“You have awarded contracts for over 621.649km road across all the 21 LGAs, with state-of-the-art flyovers and bridges.
“The Ekwulobia flyover and bus terminal are some of your signature projects. The dualization of the 34-kilometre federal highway from Amawbia through Agulu, Ekwulobia and Uga to the Imo State border as well as the dualization of 36 kilometres from Nwagu Agulu-Nnobi-Nnewi, Ozubulu to Okija, linking the Onitsha-Owerri highway, are some of the road construction interventions you have made to open up the state. Nobody will lose sight of the ongoing construction of the link bridge at Aroma, connecting the two parts of Awka.
“We note that the public water system is back in Anambra’s major cities, with rapid reticulations ongoing in Awka, Onitsha, Okpoko, Nnewi, Otuocha, Umunze, Aguata, etc.”
Continuing, Ukeh said: “Your administration has also been executing massive social and human capital development programmes. Of particular note is the One Youth, Two Skills Programme, which has seen the training of over 5,000 youths, who are also empowered with seed capital as new entrepreneurs. We also know that another 8,700 youths are undergoing training currently.
“Your government’s Solution Innovation District (SID) has trained over 20,000 youths and impacted about 80,000 young minds with technology-driven initiatives such as Code Anambra programme, level up Anambra and SID Teens Bootcamp. Also, the “Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere” programme resonates, with Anambra recently adjudged the Overall Best State in Digital Technology Development.
“The healthcare system is receiving due government attention, with infrastructure upgrades and total makeover. You have built five new general hospitals, modernized 326 primary health centres in the 326 wards, with solar, water, equipment and personnel; and employed over 1,000 medical professionals and employing technology/telemedicine.
“Under your watch, Anambra is building a trauma centre at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital. Your government also offers free antenatal and free delivery services, including C/S operations for pregnant women in public health facilities, with over 70,000 women as beneficiaries already.”
In the education sector, Ukeh noted that critical interventions had been made with the objective to make the state remain the leader in education and critical skills, adding that under the governor’s watch, the state had employed more than 8,115 new teachers and systematically scaling up their digital tools/skills.
He told Soludo, “your vision to make Anambra a destination rather than a departure lounge is becoming a reality with the development of the Solution Fun City, designed to be West Africa’s largest leisure and amusement park, and embarking on the construction of a 10-storey Marriott Hotel in Awka.
On his part, Governor Mutfwang expressed delight over the Governor of The Year award
He described The Sun as one that towers above others in the country in the area of balanced reporting, credibility and integrity.
Tje governor said an award coming from such a noble and reputable media outfit is most pleasing, soothing and should be cherished by all.
He said: “I was pleasantly surprised when I got the information for this respected award. I am not too much a fan of awards, but when it comes from respected organizations like this, I believe it was a thoughtful decision and it’s well deserved.
“My pedigree is the type that doesn’t like publicity, but I have realized that in this job, you need publicity.
“Some of those things you have enumerated, it is now that I am remembering that we did them. For us, we have not reached the target we set for ourselves, which is much higher than the things you have enumerated and we are quite hopeful that we will be able to achieve them.
“The award will inspire us to do more for the betterment of the people of Plateau State, and we will succeed in changing the narratives to make the state a better place, better than we met it,” he said.
The governor also stated that his administration is providing quality governance to the people through a well thought-out Plateau State Development Plan aimed at transforming the state and placing it on the path of sustainable development.
“I approach this role with sincerity, viewing it as an opportunity for service. If you fail to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the people who have entrusted you with their confidence, it’s a betrayal of trust. While challenges and limitations may arise, we strive to do our utmost best for the benefit of the majority,” he said.
While thanking The Sun for the nomination, the governor said: “I have always respected The Sun Newspaper because it has carved a niche for itself within the sphere of journalism in Nigeria. For me also, it is to encourage you to keep doing good work. We will continue to collaborate to enhance freedom of speech which I believe should be used responsibly for the good of society.”
Ukeh said that in almost two years in office, Governor Mutfwang has brought vision, diligence and transformative programmes to bear in governance.
He told the governor, “you have acquitted yourself in office as governor of Plateau State, recording significant advancements in infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, educational reform, agricultural enhancement, power generation as well as the fight against insecurity.
“The health sector has received remarkable attention. The government has revitalised the previously dormant Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Agency, which is now responsible for the procurement, storage, distribution, and oversight of drugs and medical supplies in state-run hospitals and clinics, ensuring that essential medications are available, accessible and affordable.
“At the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, your administration has completed the construction of an abandoned laboratory complex and awarded a contract to equip the laboratory. It has also completed the construction of an abandoned administrative building and emergency paediatric unit.
“In the civil service, you are revitalizing the system to achieve exemplary service delivery. Salaries of workers are paid when due even as the government is addressing outstanding gratuities, death benefits, and pension backlogs dating back to 1986.
“In the area of security, you have worked with federal security agencies, providing logistics and equipment in order to keep the people safe. You have taken measures to confront killer herdsmen and criminals who want to make the state unsafe.”
Others who will receive The Sun Awards are female oil mogul and Chairman, Brittania-U Nigeria Limited as well as Amazon of Nigeria’s real estate business and Group Chief Executive Officer, PWAN Group, Dr. Jayne Onwumere, who are winners of the Man of the Year award.
Governors Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto (Sokoto State) and Mohammed Bago (Niger State) are also winners of Governor of the Year award, while Gov Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State is Political Personality of the Year.
The wife of Ebonyi State governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, is First Lady of the Year, while Mr. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, is the winner of Minister of the Year.
For the Lifetime Achievement Award, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, former Governor, Sokoto State; Mrs Annkio Briggs, environmentalist and civil rights advocate; Prof Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, Chairman of Jezco Oil, are winners.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, MD, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Prof Dantani Wushishi, Registrar, National Examination Commission (NECO) and Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Services, are winners of the Public Service Award, with Mr. Walter Akpani, MD, Providus Bank, as Banker of the Year.
In the business categories, Chief Polycarp Obiukwu, Chairman, Bolton White Group; Dr. Aisha Achimugu, President, Felak Group, and Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, Group MD, Nedcomoaks Limited, are winners of Entrepreneur of the Year, with Ichie Ken Chimezie Nwankwo, Chairman, Bigly Group and Amb Emmanuel Udechukwu, Chairman of Roxbury Leisure Homes Limited, clinching Investor of the Year award.
The Industrialist of the Year award goes to Chief Cyril Okoye, CEO, Grape Tree International Limited, and Chief Chika Emenike, Chairman, Kontec Group, while Mr. Seyi Adekunle, Founder, Vodi Group, and Mr. Jideofor Ezeofor, Founder, Zeof Excluzioni, are winners of the Creative Personality of the Year Award.
The Humanitarian Service Personality Award goes to Dr. Darlington Nwabunike, President, De Imperial Philanthropic Family; Chief Habeeb Okuola, CEO, TILT Group, amd Chief Michael Onuoha, CEO, AILES Group, with Mr. Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest) and Dr. Dotun Sanusi, Founder/Chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan, emerging as winners of the Hospitality Personality of the Year award.
Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume and legal icon, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, are winners of the Courage in Leadership Award, with President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Rollas Ejezie and delectable actress and film producer, Regina Daniels-Nwoko, emerging as Nollywood Personality of the Year award winners.