Sokoto gov, Ebonyi First Lady express delight over The Sun Awards

First Lady of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru (2nd left) with Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh (2nd right); Iheanacho Nwosu, Editor, Daily Sun (right) and Chidi Nnadi, Editor, Sunday Sun, who visited to present letter nominating her as The Sun First Lady of the Year 2024, in Abakaliki.

The governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto and Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, have expressed delight at their recognition by The Sun.

Gov Sokoto and Mrs. Nwifuru said the conferment of Governor of the Year and First Lady of the Year awards respectively on them will serve as motivation to do more for the good of the people of Sokoto and Ebonyi states

Gov Aliyu and Mrs Nwifuru are among 36 Nigerians, who will be honoured at The Sun Awards celebration holding on March 1, 2025 in Lagos.

Speaking in Sokoto when the Managing Director/Editor- in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, led a team to present a letter nominating him as Governor of the Year, Governor Sokoto said that he was deeply honoured by the recognition.

He said that the honour was a recognition of the work his administration has done so far to uplift the quality of life in the state.

According to him, “this award will make me work more to deliver the dividends of democracy and ensure the security and welfare of the people.”

Expressing appreciation for the honour, Governor Aliyu Sokoto said: “I appreciate this award by The Sun newspaper. This honour is something that will never be forgotten in the entire life of my administration.

“This recognition is more of a clarion call on me to do more for the good people of Sokoto State.”

On her part, while speaking in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, Mrs. Nwifuru expressed gladness that her humble efforts were being recognised and promised to do more for Ebonyi people and humanity.

The First Lady said: “I want to thank the people of Ebonyi State for giving me the enabling environment to do all the things you listed I have done.

“I am overwhelmed that things we do for our people found their way to the ears of The Sun.

“I never knew that what we are doing will cross the walls of Ebonyi State and here you are giving me award. I want appreciate The Sun for finding me worthy.

“I am asking God to help me to empower our women, help them to have hope in Ebonyi State.

“This award is a call for more action because to who much is given, much is expected. Now that I know all eyes are on me, I will have to put more efforts.

Earlier, The Sun MD lusted why Governor Aliyu Sokoto was no.ibated for the award.

He said: “You came to office as governor in 2023 with a 9-Point Smart Agenda designed to lift Sokoto to higher grounds. Your target was to install the right infrastructure that can spur visible and measurable improvements in the key social and economic areas, like education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, security, youth empowerment, local government autonomy and religious affairs.

“In less than two years of your assumption of office, you have changed the narrative in Sokoto, having done much towards the transformation of the state.

“We note that when you assumed office, Sokoto metropolis was in total darkness, being indebted to the Power Distribution Company. Also, the streets, government offices and even the Government House were overflowing with garbage. You took action to get these problems solved.

“Outside solving the electricity problem, you have completed more than 180 projects in various sectors. In road construction, more than 30 township roads have been completed, while 40 other road projects are ongoing in various parts of the state.

“Solar-powered street lights have also been installed; lighting up the night, improving safety and bringing pleasure to the residents of Sokoto metropolis and across the 23 local government headquarters of the state.

“You have also given housing a boost with more than 1,000 housing units nearing completion.

“Under your watch, the education sector in the state has received substantial attention with the massive renovation of existing facilities and development of new ones, provision of instructional materials and timely payment of external examinations fees for the students, among others.

“To show the importance you attach to education, 25 per cent of the 2025 budget is allocated to the sector, surpassing some of the international benchmark recommendations for effective funding of education in developing countries.

“In the health sector, primary health centres have been renovated and made functional since 2023. New general hospitals are being built, in addition to several other commendable health initiatives, including sustained immunization and free maternity care for pregnant women.

“Security sector has received a boost with the donation of 130 rugged patrol vehicles, supporting military bases, provision of logistics and establishment of a community guard corps to help the federal security forces with intelligence gathering.”

For Mrs. Nwifuru, Ukeh said: “As the First Lady of Ebonyi State, you are toeing the footpath of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Upon the inauguration of your husband as the governor of the state in 2023, you came with a definite agenda of bettering the lot of the poor and vulnerable.

“Your undying passion to alleviate the plight of the downtrodden, creating awareness to end gender-based violence, advocating for victims, supporting second chance education for citizens of the state, especially those in the rural areas, gave rise to your pet project – Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation, which was launched in November 2023.

“With this special purpose vehicle, you have taken the gospel of better life for rural women, children and men too, to the nooks and crannies of the state. The landscape of Ebonyi is dotted with your initiatives on healthcare, education, community development, women and youth empowerment. There are evidences of rapid response to crisis and relief, cultural preservation and heritage as well as advocacy and awareness creation.

“It is heart-warming to note that in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, you have enhanced consciousness on breast and cervical cancer amongst women and girls in the state. You also enrolled 100 sickle cell warriors in the health insurance scheme of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, organized de-worming programme where children were given drugs and palliatives; and also officially launched the Severe Acute Malnutrition Centre at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre in Abakaliki.

“In a long time to come, the people of Ebonyi will not forget that through your Foundation, you sponsored surgery for 130 scrotal hernia patients from across the state. Again, in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, you provided free camping and vaccination for Human Papilloma Virus sufferers. Young girls between nine and 15 years benefited from the gesture.”

Others who will receive The Sun Awards are Mrs. Catherine Uju Ifejika, Chairman/CEO, Brittania-U Nigeria Limited and Dr. Jayne Onwumere, GMG, Property World Africa Network (PWAN), who won Man of the Year award; Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Governor, Anambra State; Alhaji Mohammed Bago, Governor, Niger State; and Mr. Caleb Muftwang, Governor, Plateau State, who emerged as winners in Governor of the Year award category.

Also, Kogi State governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, will be honoured with the Political Personality of the Year award, while Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, will receive the Minister of the Year Award.

In the Lifetime Achievement award category, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Senator Aliyu Wamakko, former Governor, Sokoto State; Annkio Briggs, environmentalist and civil society activist; 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 Ibrahim Wushishi, Registrar, National Examination Council (NECO); and Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service are winners of Public Service Award, with Mr. Walter Akpani, Managing Director, Providus Bank, as winner of Banker of the Year award.

In the business category, Ichie Ken Chimezie Nwankwo, Chairman, Bigly Group, and Chief Emmanuel Udechukwu, Chairman, Roxbury Leisure Homes Limited emerged as winners of Investor of the Year award, while Chief Polycarp Obiukwu, Chairman, Bolton White Group; Dr. Aisha Achimugu, President, Felak Concept Group; and Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, GMD, NedComoaks Limited, won the Entrepreneur of the Year.

Chief Cyril Okoye, Chairman/CEO, Grape Tree International Limited; and Chief Chika Emenike, Founder/Chairman, Kotec Group, won the Industrialist of the Year Award.

In the Humanitarian Service Personality award category, Chief Michael Onuoha, CEO, AILES Group; Dr. Darlington Nwabunike, President, De Imperial Philanthropic Family; and Chief Habeeb Okunola, CEO, TILT Group, are winners, while popular socialite, Mr. Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest), who is also the Chairman, Hotel CP; and Dr. Dotun Sanusi, Chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, won the Hospitality Personality of the Year award.

Mr. Seyi Adekunle, Founder, Vodi Group; and Chief Jideofor Ezeofor, Founder, Zeof Excluzioni, are winners of Creative Personality of the Year award, just as fiery politician, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South; and notable lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, will be honoured with the Courage in Leadership Award.

The Nollywood Personality of the Year Award goes to Dr. Emeka Rollas Ejezie, president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria; and Regina Daniels-Nwoko, actress & film producer.