Nestoil Boss, Azudialu-Obiejesi , Others from private sector laud The Sun Newspaper for awards

The Chief Executive Officer, Nestoil Plc, Dr Ernest Azudi­alu-Obiejesi has charged the government to ensure that private sector persons are hon­oured for their contribu­tions to the growth of Ni­geria’s economy.

He gave the charge shortly after receiving the Business­man of the Year award at The Sun Awards.

Azudialu-Obiejesi, who dedicated the award to his staff expressed gratitude to the management of the Sun newspapers for giving him the award.

He said: “I will like to see more private sector persons recognized in the country. They create jobs and provide employment. When you en­courage them, more people will emulate them.

Similarly, the co-awardee for the Business Man of the year and chief executive of Si­fax Nigeria Limited, Dr Taiwo Afolabi thanked the company for the recognition. He said the award was a result of the team work in the maritime sector.

Also speaking, the Manu­facturer of the Year awardee and chief executive of Come­star Manufacturing Limited, Chief James Uduji said it is a great challenge to operate in the Nigerian business climate. However, he said “we are moving forward in the area of employment generation.”

In his own remarks, the Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria, Mr Bisi Ona­sanya praised The Sun, saying that it has become a respected medium in the country.

While appreciating the management of the newspaper for his award as the Banker of the Year, Onasanya said The Sun newspaper has attracted millions of readers across the country, noting that the news­paper was now beyond the Page 3 girl.

In the same vein, Chief Charles Odunukwe, recipient of the Hospitality Man of the Year, thanked The Sun Pub­lishing Limited for the award. Vouching for the integrity of The Sun Awards, Odunukwe said it is one award that has no strings attached to it.

“We are so delighted and would love to continue to as­sociate with you. This is the only award given without any condition attached. I repeat, no condition attached,” he said.

The Public Service Award recipient and Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communi­cations Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah while ap­preciating the company for the award, said the press is very critical about public service in Nigeria.

“I have had my issues with The Sun on that. NCC regu­lates a private sector-driven industry that will help in the development of Nigeria,” Ju­wah stated.

Another recipient of the Public Service Award and Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammed Sani Sidi was represented by Dr Bamidele Onimole.

The Nollywood Personal­ity of the Year awardee, Mr Kunle Afolayan thanked the media for their support to the entertainment industry. He said without the contribution of people like Hubert Ogunde, Eddie Ugbomah and others, the entertainment industry wouldn’t have grown.

Music producer and musi­cian, Don Jazzy also bagged the Creative Person of the Year award.

Blessing Okagbere-Otegh­eri, who bagged the Sports Person of the Year award was represented by her brother, Engineer Okagbare who ex­pressed gratitude to the Delta State Governor, Dr Emman­uel Uduaghan, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and others for their support to her career. She solicited the prayers of Nigerians to enable her remain focused.