It was a night of glits and glamour at The Y2025 New Telegraph Awards as Governors Siminalayi Fubara, Dauda Lawal, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, Professor Babagana Zulum, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, Biodun Oyebanji and Mohammed Umar Bago shine in different awards categories.
Also, Zenith Bank Boss-Dame Adaora Umeoji, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Julius Rone, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Chief Bukola Olopade-DG, National Sports Commission ( NSC), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and other notable Nigerians and Corporate Organizations were among those also honoured during the awards ceremony.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara who received the “Man of the Year” award was full of gratitude to God for the award.
In his acceptance speech, he dedicated the award to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory-Nyesom Wike for the role he played in his journey into politics.
He said: “I dedicate this award to somebody who also discovered me, not minding the situation — The Honourable Minister of FCT. He discovered me, and it is his discovery that gave me this loudness”.
“I want to thank the management for recognizing me as one of your personalities. Through your search, you discovered a few of us, and tonight you are calling us for special recognition,” he said.
Sir Fubara who thanked the management of The Daily Telegraph Publishing Company for finding him worthy of the award, also reflected on his political career.
According to him, he chose what critics call weakness in pursuit of peace and stability.
“Weak because I want peace. Weak because we need to survive. Weak because I need to protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation,” he asserted.
In the same vein, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State who was presented with The New Telegraph Governor of The Year Award (projects), by the chairman of the event-Aremo Olusegun Osoba, thanked The New Telegraph for recognising him for the award. “It is a season of recognition”, he said.
The award conferred on him was in recognition of his wide ranging projects across key sectors of the economy; vis-a-vis education, urban renewal, provision of basic amenities as well as the giant strides he has made to clear off the more than N16B thirteen year backlog of civil servants gratuities.
Dr. Dauda Lawal also put in great efforts in ensuring that the more than 3 years outstanding WAEC/ NECO Fees were paid.
The elated Executive Governor of Zamfara State who was flanked by some key members of his government on stage, was full of gratitude for the recognition by the publishing house. “It is reward for hard work, diligence”, he said.
His reputation as a problem solver and unifier which extends beyond Zamfara State to the broader Northern Community is a testament to the strength of his leadership role.
Similarly, The Delta State Governor-Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who received “The Governor of The Year Award was thankful for the recognition.
In his acceptance speech Oborevwori who was represented by Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, said “the achievement so far is just the beginning of good things to come in Delta State”.
He further said: “we dedicate this award first to the Almighty God and to all Deltans for the immense support that they have giving this administration, we promise that this is just the beginning. Deltans, we see more and more and more. We are just starting. Watch out for the future. Thank you very much! It shows that the modest work that we are doing in Delta State is being recognised nationwide and for that we are very grateful”, he added.
Borno State Governor-Professor Babagana Zulum won The Governor of the Year Award for Distinguished Leadership, while Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State who was represented at the event by The Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy-Gbenga Omotosho, received The Governor of The Year Award for Innovation.
Also, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, while receiving the “Governor of The Year Award for Education was excited.
The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kasim Afegbua, explained that the award was a testament of the good work of the governor’s administration.
Afegbua and other Edo citizens who received the award with songs and dance described the award as a testament to what Okpebholo is doing in the state, in order to revamp the educational sector.
According to him, “In his short stay in office, the governor has been able change the narrative as far as education is concerned in Edo State”, he said.
Afegbua continued by saying that, “he has renovated hundreds of schools just to ensure that children from of Edo State have access to, not just quality education but to learning in a conducive environment”, he added.
He also noted that the governor’s impact is not only in education but also on road infrastructure, where he is transforming the educational sector of the economy as well as others.
Imo State Governor-Senator Hope Uzodimma who received “The Governor of The Year” for Digital Economy and Skill Development through The Commissioner of Information, Mr Declan Emelumba, said the New Telegraph award was a testament to the fact that he is doing well in the state.
Others included: Governor of Sokoto State-Ahmad Aliyu ( Governor of the year in human capital development), Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji (Governor of the year for infrastructure) and Niger State Governor-Mohammed Bago (Governor of the year in agriculture).
Other categories were: MD/CEO of Zenith Bank-Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, who won the Banker of the Year Award, while Zenith Bank won Financial Institution of the Year Award.
The Executive Director at the Bank-Dr. Adobi Nwapa who received both awards was excited about the wins.
The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr. Samuel Ogbuku was honoured with public servant of the year award. This is for his efforts in establishing a robust corporate governance structure, that fosters accountability and transparency in the commission.
Asiwaju Ifedayo Abegunde who received the award on behalf of The MD, in a chat with the press; lauded the achievements of NDDC under the leadership of Dr. Ogbuku.
According to him, NDDC has moved from nothing to something vis-a-vis construction, youth empowerment e.t.c.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, who received the Sports Administrator of the Year Award, lauded the management of New Telegraph Newspaper papers, for giving him such an auspicious honour.
Speaking to newsmen after receiving his award, Olopade dedicated the award to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria-Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko. He said that he was able to win the award because of their support respectively.
“We are the ones asking to put sports at the fore front and I am happy that people are noticing what we are doing, I am dedicating the award to the President -Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Chairman of the NSC, Malam Shehu Dikko because we have been doing the work together and with this award, it’s another call for more work”, he said.
In the same vein, The Special Recognition which was given to the Super Falcons, was received by The Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Madam Aisha Falode.
Receiving the award, she stated that the honour has shown that there is reward for hard work.
In her words: “there is hope for future girls who will see the Super Falcons as role models who work hard to put the country on the world map”.
“I want to thank New Telegraph for the recognition, the Super Falcons, the most successful team on the continent, putting the name of Nigeria on the global space. Discipline girls, who know what it takes to wear the national colour and represent the country. They are the hope for other girls out there who believe that with what the girls have achieved, they can do same too. The girls are already thinking of extending the record winning AFCON ahead of this year’s event in Morocco next month. It’s going to be tough but I am sure they can achieve it again”, she reiterated.
The vice President of the Nigeria BasketBall Federation, Babs Ogunade, while receiving the Special Recognition Award on behalf of the Nigeria Women basketball team, D’Tigress, described the award as a thing of joy. He said the award will spur the team to perform better going forward.
“The award is timely and I can assure you that the girls are already thinking of the next title. They have won it back- to-back for five time and it is not just about winning on the continent alone, but taking it further to the world stage like they did at the Olympics”, he said.
“I am using this opportunity to appreciate New Telegraph for the recognition and assure that they are going to do more to justify the recognition”, Ogunade added.
The Acting Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of National Inland Waterways Authority, Mr. Umar Geirej who received the award for “the maritime agency of the year”, said that the award will propel them to do well and work hard.
He said: “I am delighted to receive the award on behalf of NIWA and I am happy about it. It is a thing of honour for me and the management and staff of National Inland Waterways Authority”.
“it will spur us to do more. The award is a collective effort, not a one-man show, we are really grateful, because it’s hard work to achieve this success”, he said.
Still on the Y2025 New Telegraph Award, the stellar performance in asset recovery award was given to The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Gbenga Alade.
Speaking on the award, the Technical Assistant to the MD/CEO, Mohammed Yusuf, said: “With all the recoveries we have made, we are really, really privileged to have won this award. We pledge to continue to do our best to fulfil our mandate”.
The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of UTM/ FLNG-Dr. Julius D. Rone OFR, ROI, also was given “The Personality of The Year Award (Oil and Gas), as he led the development of the first indigenous Floating Liquified Natural Gas project in Nigeria, an achievement that places Nigeria firmly on the global LNG map, while advancing national energy security and economic diversification.
The Project and Technical Director of the company-Dr. George Amara (FNSE) who received the award on his behalf praised the management team of The New Telegraph for putting up such a colourful event.
Dr. Amara who dedicated the award first to The Almighty God for giving the company the wherewithal to serve the people, then to the management and staff of the company for the team work lauded the efforts put in by Dr. Rone to put Nigeria on the global map, while encouraging everyone to patronize The New Telegraph Newspaper.
Other award recipients were: Fidelity Bank Plc, Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Rural Electrification Agency, PINL, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and Dr. Olubunmi Ojo.
Some of the personalities at the event included: The Chairman of The Daily Telegraph Publishing Company-Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and former House of Representatives Member for Andoni–Opobo–Nkoro Constituency Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, Founder of Jehovah Eyes Salvation Ministry-Prophet Godwin Ikuru and members of the fourth estate of the realm among others.
The Y2025 New Telegraph Award which was wheld on the 13th of February 2026 at The Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos brought together gladiators from different sectors, to celebrate their achievements.
