The Sun Awards most unique –Igwe Onyido, NDDC’s Asu

The Igwe of Ogidi in Anambra State, Igwe Alex Onyido, and the Director of Finance and Accounts of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Kunemofa Asu, have hailed their choice as winners of The Sun Awards 2026, describing the honour as unique.

Igwe Onyido is the winner of Royal Father of the Year Award, while Asu won the Public Service Personality Award. They are among eminent Nigerians who will be honoured at The Sun Awards ceremony on Friday, November 13, 2026 at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos from 7pm.

Managing Director/Editori-In-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, presenting letters to Director, Finance and Accounts, NDDC, Kunemota Asu, as winners of The Sun Public Service Personality Awards, in Port Harcourt. Photos: MUDASHIRU ATANDA

Speaking separately when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, led members of the management team made up of Iheanacho Nwosu, Editor of Daily Sun; Chidi Nnadi, Senor Manager, Marketing, Operations and Publications, and Tope Adeboboye, Editor, Weekend, to present their nomination letters, the royal father and the NDDC finance director said their elation for the recognition stemmed from the high regard The Sun enjoys.

Igwe Onyido thanked The Sun for the recognition, saying he was highly honoured to be chosen from among so many qualified traditional rulers in the country.

He said: “To whom much is given, much is expected. I know that what you have read about my record is true. Throughout my reign as Igwe, I have made a lot of sacrifices for my people, taking measure to do things that would bring development, peace and progress.”

The monarch said every elderly man and woman in his community, from a certain age, receive a monthly allowance from him over the years.

“That allowance is always paid before my own staff receive theirs,” he said.

He described the award as a challenge to do more.

Igwe Onyido said: “I want to promise Nigerians and my Ogidi people that I have come to serve, not to be served. I will serve them as a true father, not merely as a titleholder. For me, the only way I can truly worship God is by serving my people.”

The royal father promised to leave a landmark that future occupants of the throne will strive to match and surpass.

Earlier, in his renarks, Ukeh described the Igwe as one of the most respected traditional rulers from the South East and Nigeria at large.

According to him, the monarch has made Ogidi the envy of other communities through a leadership style that is participatory and inclusive.

He noted that Igwe Onyido, as a pharmacist, rose to the position of Assistant Chief Pharmacist in Kano State before he left the civil service for business.

He said Igwe Onyido founded Pal Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a subsidiary in Ogidi called Alben Healthcare Industries Limited, and Pal Oil and Gas Limited, which employs over 3,000 workers,

Ukeh highlighted the monarch’s philanthropy, noting specifically that the he pays school fees for indigent youths and cares for widows.

“He built and donated a complex to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam. He also sponsors an enlightenment debate against drug and substance abuse among students in Anambra State, organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” the MD said.

On her part, Asu said her nomination came as a pleasant surprise.

“I am elated and happy to have been considered by a reputable organisation like The Sun Newspaper. It is a great honour,” she said.

She used the occasion to commend the leadership style of the Group Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Sam Ogbuku, which, according to her, has lifted the agency to a lofty height.

Asu said: “I want to specially thank the Managing Director of the NDDC for his leadership and how he has been able to transform the institution.

“NDDC, since this new management came on board, has been able to bring relief to the people of the Niger Delta, execute projects and assist in making the region habitable for our people.”

Speaking about Asu, The Sun said: “With over two decades of financial strategy experience, you have consistently championed transformative fiscal policies and innovative development initiatives driving sustainable progress across the Niger Delta.

“Your financial stewardship at the agency has continued to advance inclusive development and regional empowerment, solidifying your status not just as a leader in finance, but also as a transformative voice and a true beacon of integrity in public administration.”

He said that Asu’s work at the NDDC had established her not only as a leader in finance but also as “a true beacon of integrity in public administration.”

The Sun MD praised Asu’s contributions to disaster management in the Niger Delta, stating: “Well respected for your contributions to disaster management in the Niger Delta region, professional integrity and accountability, you, across social and professional spectrum, are widely celebrated for your humility and purpose-driven resilience.”

Apart from Igwe Onyido and Asu, other award winners are Governor Hope Uzodimma, who will receive Man of the Year award as well as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna), Governor Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue), and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), who will be honoured with Governor of the Year award.

Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State, is First Lady of the Year, with the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, receiving the Courage in Leadership Award.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele will receive Senator of the Year award, with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, emerging as Political Icon of the Year, while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is Most Innovative Legislator of the Year and Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, member representing Borno State, will receive the House of Representatives Member if the Year award.

In entertainment, celebrated music star Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli (Flavour) wins Creative Icon of the Year award.

Other to receive awards are Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education (Minister of the Year), the Lifetime Achievement Award goes Ogun State Governor and serving senator, Gbenga Daniel; Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Most Rev Margaret Benson-Idahosa, former Chairman of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Chief Mrs. Teju Phillips, former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo and former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje.

Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC), Mr. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund, will receive Public Service Personality Award, with the Real Estate Icon Award going to Mr. Samuel Ajose, CEO of Levitikal Group, and Dr. Mrs. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, CEO of Homadil Realty.

Access Bank Plc wins Bank of the Year, while the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, will receive the Parastatal of the Year award.

Those to receive Entrepreneur of the Year award are Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Ltd; abd Mr. George Obi, Chairman/CEO of Fidel Associates Limited, with Chief Sunday Ephraim Ezeobiora, Chairman of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited, and Chief Anthony Obele, CEO, Mekens Integrated Nigeria Limited clinching the Investor of the Year.

The Industrialist of the Year award will be received by Chief Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group; Chief Ikenna Ekeagu, CEO of Blueworld Cosmetics; and Dr. Badamasi Burji, Group Managing Director of First Class Refreshment Limited, with Chief Kester Okike Agwu, Founder/CEO of Tastia Restaurants, and Chief RemiChris Nwagbo, Chairman of BON Octagon Hotel, Abuja, billed for honour with Hospitality Icon award.

The Sports Personality of the Year award will be received by Chief Leo Edochie, a renowned gold promoter and Chairman/CEO of Solotone Global Ventures Limited, with Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh, Founder of Ofiafuluego Foundation and Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, CEO, Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd., receiving Humanitarian Service Icon Award.