The Sun Awards, cherished honour –Obiukwu, Nwankwo

Founder/ Chief Executive Officer, Bolton White Group, Chief Polycarp Obiukwu, and Chairman Bigly Group, Ichie Ken Chimezie Nwankwo, have described The Sun as a blessing to the people, praising the newspaper for always reporting the truth.

Obiukwu and Nwankwo said their nominations for the Entrepreneur of the Year and Investor of the Year awards respectively were honour well-cherished.

Speaking separately in Abuja when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, presented letters of nomination to them, the duo, who are among 36 Nigerians to be honoured on March 1, 2025, in Lagos, promised to sustain the feats that gave them the awards.

Describing the award as a tonic for hard work, Obiukwu commended The Sun for sustaining the standards of its awards regime.

He noted that the honours meant so much to him, while stating that it will motivate him to do more.

He said: “I want to sincerely appreciate this honour bestowed on me. This award means a lot to me and what I have done and will continue to do. I know that it is just the beginning of better things to come. It will give me the needed motivation to do more.”

Obiukwu said he believed in the Nigeria project and was committed to helping to shape the country’s economy.

Similarly, Nwankwo, while hailing The Sun, said that he was pleasantly surprised that the little contributions he was making to better the society could earn him a prestigious honour from a reputable organisation.

Nwankwo said: “I am very happy and fulfilled to be considered for this award. I know that this kind of award does not come easy because it is strictly based on merit. I know that many have tried to lobby for the award with their money but could not win it.

“But, the Board of Editors of The Sun newspaper has considered me worthy to be conferred this award due to my own little contribution to make the society better, without lobbying anybody.”

Earlier, The Sun MD told Obiukwu that he was chosen to receive the Entrepreneur of the Year award because his entrepreneurial skills translated to the birth of many viable companies.

He said: “As a man of diverse entrepreneurial interests; you have navigated multiple industries through the years. Your journey to success began at the grassroots when you traveled from Osumenyi to Aba, shortly after your basic education to venture into electricals after completing your apprenticeship.

“You have been adjudged to be a visionary businessman, innovator, and philanthropist, whose entrepreneurial skills have translated to Bolton White Hotels and Apartments as well as John Wood Hotels by Bolton being run as a symbol of excellence in hospitality in the hearts of the FCT.

“Apart from the hotels, you own the Bolton Properties, and Bolton Security Company where you carved a niche for yourself to emerge as an entrepreneur of note.

“Your success story is one of resilience, vision and wavering commitment to excellence that have continued to expand your influence in business.

“Alongside other prominent businessmen in real estate, you have secured government contracts to develop estates in Abuja, Lagos and Anambra States, thereby consolidating your position as major players in the sector and you have also developed your own estate.”

Ukeh said Obiukwu’s vision for hospitality and real estate was driven by growing demand for luxury accommodation in Nigeria.

For Nwankwo, Ukeh said: “As the driving force behind Bigly conglomerate, a multi-industry enterprise comprising Begly Oil and Gas Ltd, Bigly Energy, Bigly Food Ltd, you have clearly demonstrated that you are an accomplished business icon having shown vision and unflinching drive for success.

“Your success in business is deeply influenced by the Eastern Nigerian tradition of apprenticeship, one of the globally applauded entrepreneurial incubation schemes. You are a strong believer that no matter how challenging the economy is, entrepreneurship offers a path to prosperity.

“We know that as part of your business philosophy, you champion entrepreneurship as one of the means to independence, being yourself, a successful businessman who began his life as an apprentice.

“Over the years, your company has not only been recognised but also a partner of choice in the Nigerian oil and gas industry for delivering on its promises, pioneering new opportunities and approaches, bringing value to the industry stakeholders.”

He stressed that with cardinal principles anchored on confidence, commitment and open mindedness, “Bigly Group delivers excellence in tanker provision, deep sea evacuation and estate supply, wood importation and revenue collection on behalf of the government and food processing.

“Just like in the oil and gas sector, your presence in the energy sector in Bigly Energy has brought about innovation with a vision to be a proactive energy solution provider committed to bringing satisfaction to the customers and creation of sustainable value for its stakeholders. This subsidiary is a top layer of the sector.

“You have also touched lives through philanthropy using Abig Nwankwo Foundation to give succour to the less privileged. You give scholarships and pay hospital bills of indigent families as well as donate food items and other materials to the needy among others.”

Other Nigerians, who will receive The Sun Awards include oil mogul and Chairman, Brittania-U Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Catherine Uju Ifejika as well as amazon of Nigeria’s real estate network marketing 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), Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra State), Mohammed Bago (Niger State) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State) are Governor of the Year award winners, while Gov Ahmed Usman Ododo is Political Personality of the Year.

The wife of Ebonyi State governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, is First Lady of the Year.

For the Lifetime Achievement Award, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Senator Aliyu Wamakko, former Governor, Sokoto State; Annkio Briggs, environmentalist and civil rights advocate; and Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, Chairman of Jezco Oil, are winners.

Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, MD of the Niger Delta Development Commission and Prof Dantani Wushishi, Registrar, National Examination Council (NECO) are winners of the Public Service Award, with Mr. Walter Akpani, MD, Providus Bank, as Banker of the Year.

In the business categories, Chief Michael Onuoha, CEO, AILES Group; Dr. Aisha Achimugu, President, Felak Concept Group, and Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, GMD, Nedcomoaks Limited, are winners of Entrepreneur of the Year, with 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 of Kotec Group, while Mr. Seyi Adekunle, Founder, Vodi Group, and Chief 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 and Chief Habeeb Okuola, CEO, TILT Group, with Mr. Pascal Okechukwu (Cubana Chief Priest) and Dr. Dotun Sanusi, Founder/Chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, emerging as winners of the Hospitality Personality of the Year award.

Prof. Mike Ozekhome and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume 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.