Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has emerged the Outstanding Governor in the South-South category of the Daily Times Nigeria DTN@100 Heroes Awards.
The recognition was announced on Friday by the Chairman of the DTN@100 Organising Council, Bolaji Okusaga, following a nationwide public voting exercise that attracted thousands of verified participants from Nigeria and the diaspora.
The awards form part of activities marking the centenary celebration of Daily Times Nigeria and are designed to honour individuals, institutions and organisations whose contributions have shaped the country’s political, economic, social and corporate landscape.
Okusaga said the voting process reflected Nigerians’ desire to celebrate leadership, innovation and achievements that have created lasting impact.
“The DTN@100 Heroes Awards were conceived not merely to recognise achievement, but to celebrate individuals and institutions whose leadership has created lasting value for Nigeria and a critical pipeline to select states, organisations and individuals to be featured in the Nigeria Grand Book.
“The quality of nominations, the scale of public participation and the credibility of the voting process reaffirm that Nigerians are eager to honour excellence wherever it is found,” he said.
In the political category, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, received the Governor of the Decade Award, while Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, was named Governor of the Year.
Other governors recognised for outstanding performances across the six geopolitical zones were Dauda Lawal of Zamfara (North-West), Bala Mohammed of Bauchi (North-East), Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa (North-Central), Peter Mbah of Enugu (South-East), Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom (South-South), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos (South-West).
The awards also recognised key political figures, with Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, emerging Politician of the Year.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, won the Lawmaker of the Year (House of Representatives) award, while Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada was named Lawmaker of the Year (Senate).
In the executive category, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was honoured as Minister of the Decade.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, received the Impactful Minister of the Year award, while Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was recognised as Transformative Minister of the Year.
The business and public service categories also featured prominent Nigerians. Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, received the Change Maker of the Century Award, while Folorunsho Alakija was honoured with the Life and Legacy Award.
Former President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, received the Global Impact Award, while Aliko Dangote was named Business Icon of the Century.
Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, emerged Person of the Year, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, received the Public Impact Person of the Decade Award.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was honoured with the Community Impact Award for his efforts in cultural preservation, community development and national unity..
In the corporate sector, Green Energy International Limited was named Energy Company of the Decade, while Emadeb Energy Group received the Energy Company of the Year award.
MTN Nigeria won the Digital Company of the Decade Award, while the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) received the Transformative Project of the Year award for its role in upgrading Nigeria’s trade processes through the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
The Nigerian Revenue Service was named Government Agency of the Year, Jane Egerton-Idehen of NigComSat received the Enterprise Award, while Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, was honoured as Public Officer of the Year.
The National Council on Climate Change also received the Climate Responsibility Award.
The organising council said voting remains open for the Financial Innovation Award, National Development Award and Sustainability Award until August 5.
The DTN@100 Heroes Awards and centenary celebration will climax on September 3 at the THISDAY Dome, Abuja, where recipients will be formally honoured and inducted into the Nigerian Book of Life, a commemorative publication recognising individuals and institutions that have contributed to Nigeria’s development over the past century.
