Anyim to chair The Sun Awards

Former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, is to chair The Sun Awards, billed for February 22, 2014, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Indicating his acceptance to serve as chairman of the event, Senator Anyim, said it was his pleasure to identify with The Sun Awards because of the quality and calibre of the awardees and also applauded The Sun Publishing Limited for maintaining the integrity of the exercise over the years.

On the roll of  honour are two state governors, one first lady, a banking czar, an investment mogul, public service big shots, oil tycoon, transport kingpin and lots of other top fliers across the public and private sectors that will be garlanded for their performances and exceptional accomplishments, which have further enhanced the realisation of the country’s development agenda.

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The Sun Awards is segmented into 10 categories that include The Sun Man of the Year, Most Supportive First Lady, Lifetime Achievement Award, Investor of the Year and Banker of the Year. Others are Public Service Award, Businessman of the Year, Creative Person of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and Nigerian Hero Award.

The governors to be honoured are Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso of Delta and Kano states, respectively. They will be jointly presented the flagship award, The Sun Man of the Year 2013, for their outstanding performances and exceptional contributions to the sustenance of the nation’s democracy and good governance.

Past recipients of this award include governors, industry chieftains, ministers and technocrats. The Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Obot Akpabio, were The Sun Man of the Year 2012 and 2011 respectively; while in 2010, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group, and former governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, jointly won the award.

For the first time, the annual award  features a new category,  Most Supportive First Lady, won by Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor; for her extraordinary humanitarian programmes through her NGO, Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI), that has added value to governance in the state.

The Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, will receive the Investor of the Yearaward, while the Banker of the Year goes to the outgoing Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi.

The duo of Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, Chairman/CEO of MRS Group and Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, Chairman/CEO of Chisco Group, who have distinguished themselves in the oil and transport sectors, are joint recipients of the Businessman of the Year Award.

Also on the list of honorees  are the quartet of Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, a renowned sculptor and painter; Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, automobile merchant and Chairman of Elizade Motors as well as Founder of Elizade University; Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, the oldest practising journalist and newspaper publisher in Nigeria; and Chief Edwin Clark, elder statesman and prominent Ijaw leader. They will be jointly presented the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The Lifetime Achievement Awards is conferred on anyone who is not younger than 70 years and has made profound impact on the lives of others,and the country.

Creative Person of the Year and the Sportsman of the Year Awards will be presented to the Founder, READ Foundation, Mrs. Koko Kalango and Mr. Stephen Keshi, Super Eagles coach, correspondingly.

Michael Anthony, who passed on while rescuing a neighbour’s baby from a raging house fire in Makurdi, Benue State, will be recognised posthumously, as winner of the ‘Nigerian Hero’ category.

The Nigerian Hero category  is conferred on a citizen from any walk of life that has put his or her life in danger to help or save another.

The Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr Femi Adesina, says the company is proud of Anthony’s heroic act, and will celebrate him for his remarkable bravery and courage.

“When everyone else’s instinct is to run away from danger and save his or her life, he did the contrary, but tragically lost his life.  Though he has passed on, we will recognise him posthumously and celebrate this amazing story of incredible courage and self-sacrifice,” Adesina explained.

Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and commercial capital, is gearing up for the annual biggest print media event. Apart from being a night to celebrate excellence, the ceremony will also showcase superb entertainment.