Irukwu, Azudialu commend The Sun for awards

Twenty-four hours to The Sun Awards 2014, more commendations have come the way of The Sun Publishing Limited for picking outstanding and distinguished Nigerians for honour.

Speaking on the awards, Chief Executive Officer, NESTOil Plc,, Chief Ernest Azudialu, expressed appreciation to The Sun for finding him worthy for honour. He said The Sun Business Person of the Year Award 2014, which he would receive, is important and most cherished.

Prof JO Irukwu (SAN), insurance czar and former president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, also thanked The Sun for the Lifetime Achievement Award he would receive.

The Sun Awards ceremony holds tomorrow at the Eko Hotels & Towers, Victoria Island. Former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan, will be the chairman of the event.

In his acceptance letter dated January 13, 2015 and addressed to the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina, Irukwu accepted The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award 2014 and confirmed his attendance.

He said in the letter: “I refer to your letter of December 2, 2014 on the above subject and the recent visit of your representatives to my office in December, 2014.

“I thank you very sincerely for the award and I confirm my acceptance. I look forward to the event on Saturday, 17th January, 2015.”

On his part, in his response, when a team from The Sun visited him in Okija, Anambra State, to  formally present a letter notifying him of the award, Azudialu described The Business Man of the Year Award 2014 as a great honour to him.

He said: “It is an award that’s very pleasing to me, because it is coming from The Sun. I have been careful in the type of award I receive, especially now we are in an era where several awards are on sale; but this award is very pleasing to me.

“The Sun award is an award I will be glad to receive because it will give me the opportunity to strive harder to touch lives.”

Earlier, Executive Director Corporate Services, The Sun, Mr. Steve Nwosu, while presenting the letter on behalf of the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the choice of Azudialu was in recognition of his contributions to the economic development of the country.

The Sun Awards 2014 is a celebration of 19 iconic and outstanding Nigerians, who contributed immensely to the socio-economic and political development of the country last year. The 2014 award winners are: Man of the Year: Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko:  The Lifetime Achievement Awards: General Ibrahim Babangida, former military president; Chief Tony Anenih, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): Prof Joe Irukwu, former president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo: Prof Jibril Aminu, former Education Minister and Prof Folake Solanke; Banker of the Year: Mr. Bisi Onasanya; Manufacturer of the Year: Chief Ezochukwu Uduji, and Business Person of the Year: Mr. Ernest Azudialu, Chief Executive Officer, NESTOIL PLC; Mr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, Sifax.

Other 2014 award winners are: Public Service Award: Engr. Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Sani Sidi, Director-general, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); Hospitality Man of the Year: Mr. Charles Odunukwe; Investor of the Year: Mr. Jim Ovia, Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc; Creative Person of the Year: Don Jazzy; Sportsman of the Year: Blessing Okagbare; Nigerian Hero of the Year: Dr. Stella Adadevoh; Nollywood Personality of the Year: Kunle Afolayan; and Most Supportive First Lady of the Year: Mrs. Yemisi Suswam.

Some of the award winners have been talking of The Sun Awards. On the Nigerian Hero Award conferred on Dr. Adadevoh, Chief Medical Director, First Consultant Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Benjamin Ohiaeri, said the award has made the hospital and staff proud.

Mr. Afolabi said the award has humbled him, while Juwah said he valued the award, since it came unsolicited.

General Ibrahim Babangida said his great grandchildren would cherish the award.