Today’s action is concentrated at the opulent Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, where the much-anticipated and esteemed Independent Awards 2024 honour notable Nigerians and organisations that have distinguished themselves and made 2024 unforgettable in their various fields of endeavour, including the economy, politics, leadership, arts, and entertainment.
The 2024 Independent Awards, themed “Celebrating Landmark Accomplishments,” were nominated and chosen by the Independent Board of Editors based on their demonstrable contributions to the advancement of humanity in 2024.
Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde will be given the prestigious Man of the Year award, which honours his comprehensive development of the Pacesetter State in all areas, including health, education, and infrastructure.
The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) National Chairman and First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will accept the Woman of the Year Award on stage. Senator Tinubu has significantly improved the nation’s citizens’ well-being and progress.
Her efforts to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivers democratic dividends to Nigerians through her numerous initiatives, including the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which has impacted many lives, have earned her the title of Independent Woman of the Year from Independent Newspapers Limited.
Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi State, is being honoured today as the Governor of the Year (Agriculture). It is remarkable how dedicated he is to Kogi’s agricultural revival. Kogi is now a titan in the food manufacturing industry, supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State will also get the title of Governor of the Year (Solid Minerals Development) in recognition of his enormous achievements and unmatched focus on solid minerals development, which has increased the IGR and diversified the state’s economy.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq has been awarded today because he understands the value of entertainment and hospitality in fostering foreign exchange in Nigeria.
It should come as no surprise to those who are aware of Cross River State’s economic transformation that Governor Bassey Edet Otu will be named Governor of the Year 2024 (Economic Transformation). Given his efforts, Cross River, which was before only renowned for tourism, has essentially been changed into other economic activities, solidifying the state’s standing as one of the top investment locations in the nation.
The governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, feels that his award for Governor of the Year (Political Stability) is a reflection of his attitude and temperament since assuming office after his predecessor’s death. Since then, he has made sure that the state, which was on the brink of political anarchy, was kept under control. His resounding victory in the most recent off-cycle election to keep his job as state chief executive is not surprising.
Chief Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State, will receive the Governor of the Year 2024 (Digital Economy) award. This distinction is well-earned considering the way he has improved the state’s digital infrastructure.
In recognition of all of his efforts to revitalise the state’s cities, Professor Charles Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, will be named Governor of the Year 2024 (Urban Renewal). In acknowledgement of his diligent efforts in the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Management, which have had a major impact on the Nigerian aviation industry, Barrister Festus Keyamo (SAN) will be honoured Minister of the Year 2024.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri will also be named Minister of the Year 2024 (Innovation and Creativity) for his petroleum industry innovations and ideas that have benefited the economy.
The Independent Senator of the Year for 2024 is Senator Adams Oshiomhole. A former labour leader and National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the senator from Edo North in the National Assembly has shown excellent representation in the Red Chamber, with a focus on his maturity, leadership qualities, and insights that he has continued to contribute to discussions of national issues.
Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, lawmaker representing Delta State’s Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West/Ukwuani constituency, will be honoured as the House of Representatives Member of the Year for 2024 in the Green Chamber for his commitment to service through impactful legislation and oversight.
Comptroller-General Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is unquestionably deserving of the title of Independent Public Servant of the Year 2024. He is now considered by many to be among the greatest Customs Commissioners due to his contributions to the nation’s revenue-generating profile. Revenue into the Federation Accounts has grown dramatically each month.
Charles Odili, the Director General of the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has also been recognised as the Public Servant of the Year 2024 for his leadership of the organisation, which has aided in the expansion of Nigerian SMEs.
The 2024 CEO of the Aviation Sector award will also go to Prof. Charles Anosike.
Corporate Social Responsibility Champion of the Year will go to the Africa Initiative’s Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR). The organisation has kept up its outreach to Nigerians by funding capital projects in vital fields like healthcare and universities.
The OB Lulu Briggs Foundation will also receive the award of Philanthropist of the Year for its numerous interventions, and Oceanwave Group chairman Mr. Peter Omoh Dunia will receive the title of Humanitarian Personality of the Year for his exceptional dedication to humanitarian causes, especially those that impact the poor, including widows, orphans, and individuals with disabilities, in fields like healthcare, education, and recreational activities.
The Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been recognised as the 2024 Interventionist Agency of the Year for developing the Niger Delta Region and bringing peace to the formerly unstable area.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) was also named Regulator of the Year 2024 for their efforts to uphold consumer confidence through a number of innovations, including their role as an intermediator in the country’s economy and, most notably, the raising of the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage from N500,000 to N5 million to lessen the impact of bank failures.
With considerable efforts to establish itself as a global brand and a source of pride for Nigerians, Access Bank has grown into a strong operator throughout the African continent, earning it the award of Bank of the Year.
United Bank for Africa Plc’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, will receive the Banker of the Year 2024 Award in recognition of his leadership in ensuring the group maintains a significant economic influence on Nigeria and its 20 host nations.
Adding value to its post-privatisation brand to enable it to compete with smaller emerging hotels in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will earn Transcorp Hotels Plc the award of Hospitality Company of the Year 2024.
In addition to creating jobs and paying taxes, among other things, Rites Foods Limited has been named Food Company of the Year for its contributions to the carbonated soft drink subsector, which are demonstrated by its growing product portfolio that adapts to shifting consumer preferences.
The 2024 Environmentalist of the Year will be Engineer Chukwuemeka Woke, DG/CEO of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
The 2024 Marine Industry Trailblazer of the Year Award will go to Mr Sheyi Money, MD/CEO of Nembe Crude Oil Export Terminals Limited.
Additionally, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, will be given the Vice Chancellor of the Year Award for successfully transforming the fledgling ivory tower into a centre of academic excellence in Nigeria within fifteen years of its founding through transformational leadership, vision, and innovation.
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Director-General, Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, will receive the Independent Private Secretary Administrator of the Year award in recognition of his tireless efforts to keep NECA the umbrella organisation for employers in the organised private sector and to ensure that it continues to be the reliable voice of private sector operators in the nation regarding issues about the operating environment and the broader economy.
The Outstanding Labour Leader of the Year Award will go to Engr Festus Osifo, President of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), for his decades of service to the Nigerian labour ecosystem, where he continues to be a prominent figure.
The esteemed Oba Saheed Elegushi, Kushenla III, will be the Royal Father of the Day and will be honoured with the Bridge Builder of the Year award for his noteworthy achievements in that area, which have also led to the transformation of his kingdom.
Dr. Peter Odili, a former governor of Rivers State; Otunba Mike Adenuga Jr. GCON; and Chief Bisi Akande, a former governor of Osun State and former chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, are the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards for their respective contributions to Nigeria’s business, political, and economic domains.
Kiekie, a social media influencer, will receive the Social Media Influencer of the Year Award in recognition of her work promoting talent on social media platforms. Her following is entertained and educated by her usage of YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and other channels.
Also, the News Central Television Network will be acknowledged. The relatively young broadcast station in Nigeria has made significant progress in a short time and will be acknowledged as the Fastest Growing Broadcast Station.
