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Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has dedicated The SUN Man of the Year Award bestowed on him by The Sun Newspapers to the people, saying they motivated him to higher performance in office.
He also pledged to continue to work with increased zeal in the discharge of his responsibility as governor to ensure that more “democracy dividends” are provided to the people of Imo State.
Uzodimma made the declaration when the management team led by the Managing Directo/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publising Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, delivered a letter nominating him for Man of the Year award 2026.
Uzodimma, five other governors and others from all walks of life will be honoured in different categories at the The Sun Awards ceremony billed for November 13, 2026 at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The elated Uzodimma recalled that he was barely two years in office when The Sun recognised his efforts and gave him the Governor of the Year Award, and pledged to redouble his service in infrastructure revolution and human capital development.
Presenting the award letter, Mr. Ukeh, told the governor that he was chosen as The SUN Man of the Year because of his exceptional, transformative and exemplary leadership style, which has changed the developmental narrative in the state.
Ukeh said: “At the early stage of your administration, the major challenges that confronted you were enormous –insecurity, decayed and dilapidated infrastructure, as well as trust deficit in the state government, among other. Through a systematic approach, you have surmounted most of the challenges.”
Listing the governor’s achievement, The Sun MD noted: “You have done well in road reconstruction and rural development projects. The signature projects your administration has carried out include dualisation of the 120km Owerri-Umuahia Road, Assumpta Twin Flyover, the 10, 000-capacity Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, the Owerri-Orlu Road, Owerri-Port Harcourt expressway, and Owerri-Okigwe Road, which are important gateways to the state.
“Before you assumed office as governor, these roads were in deplorable conditions as erosion washed away large portions of some of them.”
Ukeh said under Uzodimma’s watch, “the historic Concorde Hotel has been rebuilt and its glory restored by your administration. Once again, the hotel has become a symbol of Imo’s hospitality.”
He alsi said that the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri has “undergone a massive facelift and international status achieved, with sophiscated navigation equipment. Today, some international flights have taken off from the airport.”
The MD said that Uzodimma “is breathing new life into some of Imo State heritage industries. At the centre of this revival is Adapalm, which is thriving once again, creating jobs, fuelling trade and delivering prosperity to the people and the nation at large.
“The 380MW Egbema Power Plant, which aims to power Imo State to energy self-sufficiency is another milestone of your administration. Added to this is the
Orashi electricity project, which is part of the ‘Light Up Imo’ initiative. The project is a state-owned, gas-fired Independent Power Project aimed at providing reliable, 24-hour electricity across all 27 Local Government Areas.
“With the Ministry of Dicital economy, your government has evolved a Digital City, which serves as an innovation centre for startup incubation, digital skills development.”
Ukeh further noted: “Your emergence as the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum is not just a political goal for you; it has also put Imo in the spotlight of Nigerian politics. The same goes for your position as the Director-General and National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, the primary nationwide grassroots and political mobilisation organisation that promotes President Tinubu’s administration’s achievements in office.”
He explained that “The Sun Man of the Year Award is our flagship award given to that person who has made outstanding impact to national development.”
Apart from Uzodimma, other winners are Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Governor Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna) and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) (Governor of the Year).
Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State, is First Lady of the Year, while the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, wins 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 if the Year award.
In entertainment, celebrated music star Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli (Flavour) wins Creative Icon of the Year award.
Other 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 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; abd 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, the Igwe of Ogidi, will be honoured as Royal Father of the Year.
