The organizers of the 5th edition of the 2024 African Illustrious Son Award announced that 37 people received various awards at the recently concluded award night held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
According to one of the organizers, Ralph Chidozie, a total of 37 awards were handed out, with Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State being named Governor of the Year.
“This quarter’s award is for Nigerians who have done exceedingly well. We have two awards every year, in June and December. In December, we award people outside Nigeria. This is where we recognize every other African country.”
Speaking on the reason for the Kaduna State Governor emerging as Best Governor of the Year, he added, “Initially we wanted to award the Abia State Governor, but he declined, so the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sanni, was highly recommended.
“You will also notice that there is relative peace in Kaduna compared to the days of the previous administration. The Governor has been doing great in infrastructure and other areas, and he came highly recommended. The killings are not as frequent as they were on a daily basis in the last administration.”
The African Illustrious Award is presented both annually and quarterly to recognize Africans who have excelled in leadership, philanthropy, community development, business, academia, education, and agriculture, among other fields.
Speaking to pressmen at the event, the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sanni, who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Barrister James Kanyip, acknowledged the award as a sign to do more. “This is an award for the people of Kaduna, a motivation to do more, and I do not take it for granted.”
Other awardees included Dr. Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu as Distinguished Philanthropist of the Year, Chief Dele Momodu, Mr. Emeka Adebowale Onyeokoro as Oil Consultant of the Year, Hon. Ikoro Kingsley Ogbonna, Deputy Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly as State Legislator of the Year, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters as Businesswoman of the Year, Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan as Distinguished Senator of the Year, Tomas Fernandez Garcie, an Economic and Commercial Counselor of Spain in Nigeria, for Award of Excellence & Special Recognition, Dr. Kolade Ayodeji Segun-Okeowo for Award of Excellence and Special Recognition, Dr. Kenneth Okonkwo, Alhaji Abubarka Sanusi Yakubu, and many others.
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