Words By – Yemisi Suleiman | Pictures By Kehinde Shonola

It was a night of great honour, glitz, glamour, last Friday, January 27, when the 11th edition of the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards 2022, took centre stage in Lagos.

Held at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suits, Lagos, the annual event brought together Governors, Ministers, Captains of Industries and the Creme de la Creme of the society, who converged in celebration of integrity, hard work and service to nation and mankind.

This year’s Awards ceremony recognised twenty-seven personalities in the political, private and public spheres, who were celebrated and awarded for their achievements, impact and contributions to society.

Delivering the welcome address, General Manager, Vanguard Media Ltd, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye said for over a decade, Vanguard has continued to recognise Nigeria’s most distinguished individuals for their excellence, national pride, and service to humanity in business politics and other facets of human endeavour.

While commending the recipients for their noteworthy contributions to the development of the nation, Mr Adefaye implored all to reflect on individual character. “As we celebrate the achievements of these personalities tonight, I encourage each and every one of us to take a moment and reflect on our characters. As individuals, there are numerous ways which we can make positive influence wether by volunteering our time, closing market gaps, spearheading innovation , being a model citizen or simply lending a helping hand to people in need. We all have the power to shape the future of our country and we must all take responsibility seriously.”

While Commending vanguard for celebrating individuals while they are alive and not when they are dead,

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Josephine Awosika said, Vanguard through this awards have been communicating and inspiring Nigerians. This she notes “becomes an essential part of building a future for Nigeria that you and I can say hey, it’s that Personality that has done this.” She commended Vanguard for an event that celebrates “people who actually deserve it.”

Kicking off the Awards presentation for the night, was a Special Recognition award, presented to Mrs. Eunice Onuekwusi, a woman in Ukwulu, Anambra State, who refused a bribe of N5,000 for her vote, while a Heroes Award was received by Ejiro Otarigho, Heroic Delta tanker driver who, risked his life to save others.

Next was the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Those honoured were Veteran actor, Sir Pete Edochie for his contributions to the growth of the African film sector; Industrialist and philanthropist par excellence, Chief Rasaq Okoya and Bishop Mike Okonkwo of TREM. Others were Gaius Obaseki, Ango Abdullahi, Femi Okunnu, Audu Ogbeh, Ray Ekpu and Mrs. Mayen Adetiba who were all awarded for their immense contributions to the country via their accomplished careers.

Founder and group Managing Director/CEO of Techno Oil Limited, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, got honoured with Woman Entrepreneur of the year award, for being a Changemaker in the Oil and Gas industry.

Managing Director/CEO of Coleman Technical Industries Limited, George Onafowakan was honoured with the Businessman of the Year award, for leading Africa in cable production.

Public Sector Icon of the Year awards went to Managing Director/ CEO of Nigeria Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello Koko, for positively turning the NPA around, while Executive Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, Mr. Ayo Subair was honoured for implementing strategic tax innovations in Lagos State.

King of African Oil and Group Chief Executive of Oando PLC., Mr. Wale Tinubu, was decorated with the Private Sector Icon award.

Other Awardees for the night included Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.) for Distinguished Public Service Award, Engineer Emeka Okwuosa for Energy Icon of the Year, Prof. Umar Danbata Regulator of the Year, and Julius Rone, as Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Governors Babagana Zulum (Bornu) and Abdulraham Abdulrazaq (Kwara) were decorated as Governors of the year. Governors Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo), were also duly awarded in the same category.

High point of the event, was The Vanguard Personality of the Year 2022 awards presented to business magnate, Founder, Chairman and CEO of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for his commitment to serve, drive for excellence, utilitarian determination, philanthropic outreach, and contribution to national development.

The night was not only one of awards and speeches, it was also one of great entertainment, as the evening vibrated to electrifying performances from music star Patoranking, and live band specialist Laolu Genjo and his Alujo band, who kept guests on their feet as they danced into the night.