Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has devoted The SUN Man of the Year Award bestowed on him by The Sun Newspapers to the folks, saying they motivated him to greater efficiency in workplace.
He additionally pledged to proceed to work with elevated zeal in the discharge of his duty as governor to make sure that extra “democracy dividends” are offered to the folks of Imo State.
Uzodimma made the declaration when the administration staff led by the Managing Directo/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publising Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, delivered a letter nominating him for Man of the Year award 2026.
Uzodimma, 5 different governors and others from all walks of life can be honoured in numerous classes at the The Sun Awards ceremony billed for November 13, 2026 at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The elated Uzodimma recalled that he was barely two years in workplace when The Sun recognised his efforts and gave him the Governor of the Year Award, and pledged to redouble his service in infrastructure revolution and human capital improvement.
Presenting the award letter, Mr. Ukeh, instructed the governor that he was chosen as The SUN Man of the Year as a result of of his distinctive, transformative and exemplary management type, which has modified the developmental narrative in the state.
Ukeh stated: “At the early stage of your administration, the major challenges that confronted you were enormous –insecurity, decayed and dilapidated infrastructure, as well as trust deficit in the state government, among other. Through a systematic approach, you have surmounted most of the challenges.”
Listing the governor’s achievement, The Sun MD famous: “You have executed nicely in highway reconstruction and rural improvement initiatives. The signature initiatives your administration has carried out embody dualisation of the 120km Owerri-Umuahia Road, Assumpta Twin Flyover, the 10, 000-capacity Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, the Owerri-Orlu Road, Owerri-Port Harcourt expressway, and Owerri-Okigwe Road, that are essential gateways to the state.
“Before you assumed office as governor, these roads were in deplorable conditions as erosion washed away large portions of some of them.”
Ukeh stated beneath Uzodimma’s watch, “the historic Concorde Hotel has been rebuilt and its glory restored by your administration. Once again, the hotel has become a symbol of Imo’s hospitality.”
He alsi stated that the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri has “undergone a massive facelift and international status achieved, with sophiscated navigation equipment. Today, some international flights have taken off from the airport.”
The MD stated that Uzodimma “is respiration new life into some of Imo State heritage industries. At the centre of this revival is Adapalm, which is flourishing as soon as once more, creating jobs, fuelling commerce and delivering prosperity to the folks and the nation at massive.
“The 380MW Egbema Power Plant, which goals to energy Imo State to vitality self-sufficiency is one other milestone of your administration. Added to that is the
Orashi electrical energy venture, which is a component of the ‘Light Up Imo’ initiative. The venture is a state-owned, gas-fired Independent Power Project aimed toward offering dependable, 24-hour electrical energy throughout all 27 Local Government Areas.
“With the Ministry of Dicital economy, your government has evolved a Digital City, which serves as an innovation centre for startup incubation, digital skills development.”
Ukeh additional famous: “Your emergence as the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum is not just a political goal for you; it has also put Imo in the spotlight of Nigerian politics. The same goes for your position as the Director-General and National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, the primary nationwide grassroots and political mobilisation organisation that promotes President Tinubu’s administration’s achievements in office.”
He defined that “The Sun Man of the Year Award is our flagship award given to that person who has made outstanding impact to national development.”
Apart from Uzodimma, different winners are Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Governor Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna) and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) (Governor of the Year).
Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State, is First Lady of the Year, whereas the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, wins Courage in Leadership Award.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele will obtain Senator of the Year award, with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, rising as Political Icon of the Year, whereas Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is Most Innovative Legislator of the Year and Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, member representing Borno State, will obtain the House of Representatives Member if the Year award.
In leisure, celebrated music star Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli (Flavour) wins Creative Icon of the Year award.
Other to obtain awards are Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education (Minister of the Year), the Lifetime Achievement Award goes Ogun State Governor and serving senator, Gbenga Daniel; Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Most Rev Margaret Benson-Idahosa, former Chairman of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Chief Mrs. Teju Phillips, former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo and former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Sonny S.T. Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund; and Dr. Kunemofa Asu, Director of Finance and Accounts, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will obtain Public Service Personality Award, with the Real Estate Icon Award going to Mr. Samuel Ajose, CEO of Levitikal Group, and Dr. Mrs. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, CEO of Homadil Realty.
Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba, is obtain Banker of the Year award, whereas Access Bank Plc wins Bank of the Year.
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), beneath the management of Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, will obtain the Parastatal of the Year award.
Those to obtain Entrepreneur of the Year award are Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Ltd; abd Mr. George Obi, Chairman/CEO of Fidel Associates Limited, with Chief Sunday Ephraim Ezeobiora, Chairman of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited, and Chief Anthony Obele, CEO, Mekens Integrated Nigeria Limited clinching the Investor of the Year.
The Industrialist of the Year award can be obtained by Chief Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group; Chief Ikenna Ekeagu, CEO of Blueworld Cosmetics; and Dr. Badamasi Burji, Group Managing Director of First Class Refreshment Limited, with Chief Kester Okike Agwu, Founder/CEO of Tastia Restaurants, and Chief RemiChris Nwagbo, Chairman of BON Octagon Hotel, Abuja, billed for honour with Hospitality Icon award.
The Sports Personality of the Year award can be obtained by Chief Leo Edochie, a famend gold promoter and Chairman/CEO of Solotone Global Ventures Limited, with Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh, Founder of Ofiafuluego Foundation and Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, CEO, Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd., receiving the Humanitarian Service Icon Award, whereas HRM Alexander Uzo Onyido, the Igwe of Ogidi, can be honoured as Royal Father of the Year.
