Preparations are in top gear for the 2025 edition of the First Daily Public Lecture and Excellence Awards, scheduled to take place on November 10, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
The prestigious event will spotlight individuals whose leadership, integrity, and innovation have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development.
The high-profile ceremony will convene a cross-section of the country’s most influential personalities, including senior government officials, lawmakers, business executives, civil society leaders, and members of the media, to celebrate achievements that are shaping the nation’s progress.
This year’s event will feature a thought-provoking public lecture themed: “How Can We Make Our Votes Count”—a timely national conversation aimed at interrogating the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, the role of citizens in democratic consolidation, and the future of participatory governance.
Among the headline recipients of this year’s honours are three sitting governors and a distinguished senator, each recognised for their outstanding impact in governance and public service:
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State will receive the Governor of the Year (Infrastructure Development) award.
The honour acknowledges his administration’s sustained investment in road construction, urban renewal projects, and initiatives that have improved connectivity between Yenagoa and previously underserved rural communities.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State will be awarded Governor of the Year (Civil Service Welfare and Development) for his transformative policies in civil service reform.
His administration’s prioritisation of staff welfare, professional development, and workplace innovation has earned widespread praise for revitalising the state’s bureaucratic machinery.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State will take home the Governor of the Year (Good Governance) award.
Since assuming office, Lawal has received national attention for prioritising transparency, responsible resource management, and people-centred development in a state long affected by insecurity and systemic neglect.
Senator Seriake Dickson, former Bayelsa governor and current senator representing Bayelsa West, will be honoured as Outstanding Lawmaker of the Year.
Dickson’s legislative contributions, advocacy for justice, and unwavering support for national unity have positioned him as one of the most respected voices in the National Assembly.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Dr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Publisher of First Daily, described the awards as a platform designed to celebrate excellence, reward merit, and promote a culture of accountability and visionary leadership in public life.
“At First Daily, we are committed to building a society where hard work, integrity, and excellence are acknowledged and encouraged.
“The Excellence Awards are more than just accolades—they are about setting benchmarks and motivating others to go above and beyond for the good of the nation, ”Iworiso-Markson stated.
He emphasised that the theme of this year’s lecture, “How Can We Make Our Votes Count”, was deliberately chosen to deepen conversations on electoral credibility, voter engagement, and institutional reform, especially as Nigeria approaches a new cycle of elections.
The event will also recognise exceptional Nigerians from across sectors including humanitarian service, entrepreneurship, education, the media, and grassroots leadership.
These individuals, according to the organisers, have demonstrated unwavering commitment to public good and contributed in unique ways to the country’s development journey.
The 2025 First Daily Public Lecture and Excellence Awards promises to be not only a celebration of achievements, but a call to action for all Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s democratic and developmental aspirations.
