THE SUN AWARDS: A’IBOM SHINES, AS DEPUTY GOV. MOSES EKPO BAGS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Excitment and glowing tributes has continued to trail the performance of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, especially his infrastructure development and Industrialisation efforts in the last six years of his administration, as his Deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo bagged a special recognition, the Sun Newspaper Lifetime Achievement Award.
The colourful event which attracted high profile dignitaries from the political class, private sector, and the entertainment industry which was held on Saturday October 16 at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos State, started at 6.00pm with a red carpet and had the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, as the Chairman.
Presenting his welcome address, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, stated that the awardees were selected in recognition of their special contributions to the different sectors of the economy and humanity at large, buttressing that despite the challenges of Covid-19 last year, they managed to make a difference, thus the awards was meant to celebrate and encourage them to do more for the society .
Accordingly to Onuoha, “Tonight is a night of thanksgiving and celebration. We are celebrating Nigerians, who despite the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, stood up to be counted last year amids unusual times “.
“We are honouring these twenty four Nigerians who applied winning strategies and recorded outstanding succeses. They did well in governance, public service, entrepreneurship, entertainment, hospitality, sports, industrialization, philanthropy, and humanity”. He said.
Similarly, the former Governor of Abia State and the current Senate Chief Whip who is also the Publisher of the Sun Newspaper, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, presented the Publisher’s Speech through his daughter, Neya Kalu, acknowledging the contributions of the esteemed readers of the Sun Newspaper in sustaining the growth of the national daily.
He urged the awardees to remain consistent in their contributions to national development and humanity.
“With unity and brotherhood, we can achieve more as a people and as a country. We must continue to work together despite our differences for the common good of our nation, because to whom much is given, much is also expected”. Kalu said.
While commending the efforts of the front line healthcare workers in the fight against Covid-19, the Abia North Senatorial District representative, paid tributes to those whose lifes had been cut short by the pandemic, and prayed God to comfort the bereaved families.
“As you know, we were unable to do this last year due to the ravaging effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. By the grace of God we are able to gather here tonight to celebrate excellence; it is gratifying to also know that we can share friendship and fellowship with one another on a day like this and we are grateful for this.” He added .
On his part, the SGF and Chairman of the occasion, Boss Mustapha, who was represented by the Hon. Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, noted that since the inception of the award eighteen years ago, the event has remained a reference point in the media community thus sustaining its trademark of celebrating notable Nigerians who have excelled in their different sphares of endeavour.
“I want to commend the management of the Sun Newspaper for organising this award ceremony to celebrate industrious Nigerians and great achievers”.
“Over the years, this platform has played a major role in boldly directing and showcasing the Nigerian success story both within and outside the country. I therefore congratulate all the winners here tonight”. Mustapha added.
Speaking shortly after receiving his award, Mr. Moses Ekpo said that he was thrilled by the recognition, stating that the award was a call on him to continue to do more for the society and humanity. He thanked the organisers for finding him fit for the honour.
Ekpo said, “I dedicate this award to Governor Udom Emmanuel who has given me the platform to contribute to the great things that he is doing in Akwa Ibom State, and for also raising the bar of good governance in Nigeria “.
Recalling his early days experience in the journalism profession, Ekpo acknowledged the contributions and mentorship of the former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande whom he said, gave him a chance to work as a Proof Reader in the then Daily Express Newspapers, and equally ensured that he, Ekpo, was well groomed academically and professionally.
The ceremony which was the 18th edition, was tagged: Celebrating Excellence and featured twenty three other notable Nigerians who also emerged as winners in different categories.
