Night of honour as govs, others bag awards

IT  was an evening of honours and accolades at the weekend for the governors of Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Jigawa states, Godswill Akpabio, Babatunde Fashola and Sule Lamido respectively,as they were on Saturday awarded the Vanguard Newspaper Personality of the Year 2014.

   Other awardees were Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, who won the Best Tourism Development Award; Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, who bagged the Openness in Governance Award; and the chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, who was bestowed with the Vanguard Africa Personality of the Year.

   At the well-attended Vanguard Newspaper Personality of the Year Award 2014 held at the Eko Hotels, the Publisher of Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Sam Amuka, in his presentation that was read by the newspaper’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, said 2014 was a year of monumental advancement in Nigeria.

   According to him, “amongst other things, it saw the country emerged as the largest economy on the continent. Today, we specifically recognise six titans whose feats transverse governance and business leadership.”    

   While presenting the award to the representative of Governor Imoke, the Publisher, Guardian Newspapers, Mrs. Maiden Alex-Ibru, described Imoke as a man of many parts, who has transformed Cross River and made it the cleanest state in the country.

   Presenting Governor Fashola’s award to his representative, the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Wasiu Ipaye, Mr. Summi Smart Cole said the “Lagos State governor is one of the most hard working governors and politicians in the country.” 

   In his remark, Lamido said he wished the award was given while he was much younger. “I am now 66 years.” He, however, said Nigeria has done more for him by giving him space to grow. “It is now my turn to give back to Nigeria. I stand for Nigeria anytime,” he said.

   Presenting the award to Akwa Ibom State Governor, who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Anya O. Anya, said Akpabio has not only developed his state but has also given the people of Akwa Ibom a sense of freedom and dignity.