Excitement as Champion Newspaper honours Onyeali-Ikpe, UBA, Marwa others

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MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Nneka-Onyeali-Ikpe
Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe

 

I dedicate award to Fidelity Bank staff, my family for their support – Onyeali- Ikpe

 

Emmanuel Thomas l Sunday, May 14, 2023

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – It was great excitement in Lagos at the weekend as Champion Newspapers honoured reputable Nigerians and institutions, across all strata of society who have contributed immensely to the social, economic, and technological development of the nation in 2022.

The event took place at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Major corporate winners of the awards include Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe and United Bank for Africa, UBA, among others.

Onyeali-Ikpe thanked the organisers of the award for deeming it fit to reward the bank, now rated best performing bank in Nigeria and decided to dedicate the honor to staff of the bank and family members for their support in seeing the bank stand out in terms of performance.

Retired Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and former military administrator of Lagos State clinched the Champion Newspaper’s Man of the Year Award for the second time.

The elated NDLEA boss expressed his commitment and service to the nation and thanked all the stakeholders who are helping to eradicate the scourge of drug abuse in the nation dedicating the recognition to the Agency’s officers, men and women.

Marwa expressed confidence in the continued ability of the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu in achieving his Greater Lagos agenda, noting that “the success of Governor Sanwo-Olu was better epitomized with the resounding victory at the poll.”

He, therefore, pointed out that Sanwo-Olu’s victory was a result of his sterling performance, saying the second most challenging seat in the country after the president’s, is piloting the affairs of Lagos. He noted, “Those of us who have served admire how you are carrying the torch.”

He thanked all the development partners such as the United Nations, European Union, and similar other organizations, who according to him, have been providing intelligence for NDLEA to succeed regarding the war on the trafficking of hard drugs.

He said, “They don’t give cash but they provide training and we share intelligence,”
and expressed appreciation to all his team who have been supportive, adding that they have been in the trenches risking their lives for us to have safety.

While calling on the general public for more support in the fight against drug abuse, Marwa stressed, “It is a collective fight. Everyone should stand up and be ready to fight the drug scourge.”

Top on the list of the 34 distinguished recipients were Retired Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa, who received Man of the Year Award; United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc (Bank of The Year); Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc (Banker of the Year); Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere Leader, Life Achievement Award; Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State (Governor of the Year); Ademola Adeleke of Osun State (Governor of the Year, Good Governance); Abdullahi Audu Sule of Nasarawa State (Good Corporate Governance & Integrity in Leadership Award); Prince Dapo Abiodun (Executive Governor of Ogun State) – Investment Friendly Governor of the Year; Dr. Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State (Courage in Leadership Award); Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State (Governor of the Year on Security); and the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume (Pillar of Democracy Award).

Others include MD/CEO of Nigerian Ports Authority Mohammed Bello Koko( Maritime Icon of the Year), Prof. Garba Dambatta, EVC, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)( Regulator of the Year), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, DG & CEO, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)-Public Servant of the Year, Mr. A.K. Mirchandani, Chairman, Sona Group of Industries (Outstanding Industrialist of the Year), Hon Ambassador, Prince Samuel Adesegun Egunjobi, Founder/President, Rebuild Afrika Foundation (Philanthropist of the Year), Chief Ikechukwu Abraham Otti(Mighty Mighty Mighty) -Herat of Gold Award, Engr. Dr. Freeborn Okhiria, MD Nigeria Railway Corporation (Most Impactful Leadership Award ) and others

In his remarks Sanwo-Olu eulogized Marwa, saying the story of Lagos is not complete without mentioning of how he was able to change the face of Lagos. He was the one who pioneered Operation Sweep, the foremost security outfit at the time.

“Let me say Lagos and Borno often share things in common because during the Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the then Governor of Borno too, they were all best of friends. I’m not surprised that Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) was the 11th Governor of Lagos State.

“Tonight is about the Champion Awards. I was coming from another event and I said to myself, l need to reserve the best for my last. I’m happy because I still meet the full hall. I’m truly honoured to have been called on to receive this award.

“And of course, there is a household name that we all know today. When we enter that Keke that is called, Marwa. This is the Marwa that everybody talks about in Lagos. This is a testament that when you do well, posterity will judge you. And even in his national assignment today, he has changed the face of NDLEA. We thank Almighty Allah for you and He will continue to guide you.

“For the Champion Awards, I receive it with every sense of honesty, knowing fully well, it is not about me; it’s about the people of Lagos; it’s about the people that we chose to serve; it’s about the people that have given us the opportunity to be the one to represent them at this point in time.

“So I want to thank Almighty God for sparing our lives and more importantly, I want to thank all Lagosians for making this possible for all the support they have given us. And to say to you that as long as God spares our lives, we will do everything to ensure that Greater Lagos is achieved. I want to thank every one of us and don’t give up because the Lagos rising is our agenda.”

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