The Nigeria Tribune Newspaper on Tuesday honoured distinguished Nigerians in different walks of life for their contributions to human development and nation building.
Those honoured included Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto State; Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue State; Godwin Emefiele the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Nigeria Limited, and Mike Adenuga, Jr., chairman of Globacom Limited.
The event, which took place at the Muson Center in Lagos, had in attendance eminent Nigerians from both the public and private sectors.
Speaking during the presentation of awards tagged: “Tribune Platinum Awards” Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria, Olatokunbo Awolowo- Dosunmu commended the awardees for their commitment and effort towards the development of Nigeria.
She pointed out that the Tribune Platinum Awards was initiated to celebrate industrious and excellent performance.
“We have not shied, and will never shy away from speaking truth and in doing so, we commend what is good and condemn what is bad.
“The rationale behind the award is to celebrate those who have done well and distinguished themselves in philanthropy, public service, and human development,” Awolowo Dosunmu said.
She also used the opportunity to reassure Nigerians that the newspaper would not relent in protecting the interest of common man.
“Some people ask me about the future of this organization as we celebrate 70th anniversary, but am seizing this opportunity to assure them that we will not only celebrate the next 70 years but more than that.
“We will strategise to remain relevant as we go digital because we realized that the future is digital and we are moving in that direction.
The Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Edward Dickson, said that the occasion was designed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the newspaper.
“Tribune Newspaper which had been in existence before the independence of the entity called Nigeria was part of the products sown by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and has never for once shied away from its responsibility of uniting Nigeria and promote its development,” he said.
At the occasion, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu was recognized for championing the betterment of humanity; Godswill Akpabio, Minister of the Niger Delta and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, was honoured for his commitment to national development; while Kensington Adebutu was recognised as Nigeria’s most timeless businessman.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was honoured for being a pacesetter in integrity in governance; Imam Abubakar Abdullahi as a promoter of humanity; Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola were honoured as Patrons of National Development.
Mike Adenuga Jr. was honoured as Nigeria’s Most Outstanding and Innovative Entrepreneur; and Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, was honoured as a pacesetter in Education and Human Development.
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal was recognised as a torchbearer in education development while Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State was honoured as a torchbearer in infrastructure and environmental development.
Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State, was honoured for his uncommon courage in governance and protection of humanity; Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was honoured as a champion of human capital development, while the founder of Innoson Nigeria Limited, Innocent Chukwuma, was honoured as the most outstanding technology innovator.
