…Nigeria’s Stability at Risk if Rivers Crisis Worsens – Olabode George
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been named ‘Best Woman of the Year’ at the Independent Awards 2024, dedicating the prestigious honour to Nigerian women and youth.
Speaking at the awards gala on Saturday in Lagos—through her representative, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives—Mrs Tinubu acknowledged the vital role women and young people play in the nation’s progress.
She said the award is dedicated to every Nigerian woman and youth who contribute daily to the development of our great nation. She described them as the unsung heroes of Nigeria.
The Independent Newspaper Awards celebrate outstanding achievements across politics, entertainment, business, education, and other sectors.
Expressing gratitude to the Independent Newspaper for the recognition, Tinubu said, “I receive this prestigious award with deep appreciation.” She added, “This award will inspire me further to contribute my quota to national development.”
Full List of Awardees
According to NAN, 36 individuals, organisations, and top government officials were honoured for their contributions to Nigeria’s development.
Key awardees include:
- Independent Man of the Year: Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Chief Bisi Akande
- Governor of the Year (Urban Renewal): Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State
- Governor of the Year (Economic Transformation): Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State
- Governor of the Year (Solid Minerals Development): Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State
- Governor Hope Uzodinma was also recognised for his contributions.
In entertainment, social media influencer Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, popularly known as Kiekie, won Social Media Influencer of the Year for her remarkable impact.
In business, billionaire and Globacom chairman Otunba Mike Adenuga was honoured, alongside Charles Odi, Director-General of SMEDAN, and Prof. Abayomi Fasina of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, among others.
Meanwhile, Chief Olabode George, a top leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West and chairman of the event, used the occasion to urge President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly in resolving the political crisis in Rivers State.
“The crisis in Rivers State must not be allowed to escalate,” he warned. “That state is too strategic to Nigeria’s economy for us to ignore the tensions brewing there.”
George cautioned that if left unchecked, the situation could destabilise the country, referencing past civil unrest from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt.
While praising Independent Newspaper for recognising Nigerian achievers, he also challenged the government to bring real change to the people.
“Everyone here is leaving with a smile, and that’s the same smile we want the government to bring to Nigerians,” he said. “Who is truly happy now in Nigeria?”
With the mid-term mark of the Tinubu administration approaching in May 2025, George stressed the need for visible progress before the 2027 elections.
“My party is preparing to take over in 2027,” he declared. “The question for voters is: Are you better off now than before?”
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