Former Governors of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, joined other prominent Nigerians in praising the enduring resilience of Champion Newspapers Limited during the 2025 Champion Newspapers Awards held on Saturday, March 14, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The annual event, which has become a respected platform for recognising excellence across government, corporate, and individual sectors, honoured over 50 recipients for outstanding contributions to national development. The ceremony brought together leaders from politics, business, academia, traditional institutions, and the private sector.

Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who served as Chairman of the occasion, described the awards as a celebration of excellence and leadership in turbulent times.

“The Annual Champion Awards is a night dedicated to celebrating excellence, courage, enterprise and remarkable individuals whose contributions have helped shape the progress of our nation,” Daniel said. “This ceremony is not merely an awards event; it is a special moment of recognition.”

He paid tribute to the late founder of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, crediting his foresight and belief in responsible journalism for building one of Nigeria’s most enduring media institutions.

“His courage and unwavering belief in the power of responsible journalism has today become one of Nigeria’s most enduring media institutions,” Daniel noted. “In an industry that is often turbulent and unforgiving, the survival and continued relevance of Champion for decades is no small achievement.”

Aremo Olusegun Osoba also commended the newspaper’s management and staff for their dedication in sustaining the publication over many years.

Among the award recipients were Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, named Governor of the Year on Youth Development and Security; NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), represented by spokesman Femi Babafemi, who received Man of the Year; and NDLEA as Most Innovative and Outstanding Public Agency of the Year.

Other notable winners included Zenith Bank GMD Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji (Banker of the Year), Access Bank (Bank of the Year), Ecobank Nigeria’s Austen Osokpor (Media Manager of the Year), Globus Bank (Most Innovative Bank of the Year), Moniepoint MFB (Fintech Company of the Year), Lectern Insurance Brokers MD Prince Babatunde A. Oguntade (Insurance Personality of the Year), Cornerstone Insurance (Insurance Company of the Year), Prestige Insurance Brokers (Most Outstanding Insurance Broker of the Year), Prince Feyisayo Soyewo (Lifetime Achievement Award), Nigerian Ports Authority (Outstanding Agency of the Year), and Rural Electrification Agency MD Alhaji Abba Abubakar Aliyu (Most Outstanding Public Servant of the Year).

Lagos State Commissioners Dr. Oluyinka Olumide (Physical Planning and Urban Development) and Mr. Biodun Ogunleye (Energy and Mineral Resources) received the Star Performance Award 2025 and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to infrastructure delivery under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Greater Lagos Project.

Charly Boy (Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa), recipient of the Champion of the Voiceless of the Year Award, shared a personal tribute to the late Chief Iwuanyanwu.

“Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was the first fan of Charly Boy,” he revealed. “He started me on this journey and I can never, ever, ever forget that. So, I am here in memory of a great man who had helped me financially, emotionally, supported me through this journey.”

Group Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Champion Newspapers Limited, Dr. (Mrs.) Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, said the awards reflect the organisation’s ongoing commitment to excellence, integrity, and national development.

“We gather at a time when our country faces complex challenges — economic reforms, security concerns, social transformation and the quest for inclusive growth,” she said. “Yet, within these challenges lie immense opportunities. The men and women we honour this evening have demonstrated that solutions are possible when vision meets integrity and when courage meets competence.”

The Champion Awards continue to serve as a platform for celebrating individuals and institutions whose work inspires progress and reinforces values of hard work, integrity, and patriotism across Nigeria.