Two former governors of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and other eminent Nigerians have eulogised the Champion Newspapers Ltd. for its resilience over the decades.
They made the remarks during the Champion Newspapers 2025 Awards night at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The newspapers’ management honoured no fewer than 50 awardees in recognition of their exceptional performances in government, corporate world and personal enterprises.
The Champion Newspapers’ annual awards has become one of Nigeria’s respected platforms for recognising hard work and excellence of eminent personalities from government, business, academia, traditional institutions, and the private sector.
It is also a platform to celebrate individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to national development.
Daniel served as the Chairman of the occasion, while Osoba was the special guest of honour.
The award recipients included the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo as the Governor of the Year on Youth Development and Security, while the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, won the Star Performance Award, 2025.
Daniel said the annual Champion Awards is a night dedicated to celebrating excellence, courage, enterprise and remarkable individuals whose contributions brought to shape the progress of the nation.
“This ceremony is not merely an awards event, it is a special moment of recognition. The recognition of men and women who have risen above the ordinary, who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and whose works continue to inspire confidence in the promise of our country,” Daniel said.
He, however, noted that Champion Newspapers has remained steadfast, resilient, and remarkably consistent.
“It has navigated changing types of media, technology, and national discourse with admirable strength,” he said.
He also commended the Group Managing Director of Champion, Dr (Mrs) Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, reiterating her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to journalistic excellence.
“Let me also commend the entire management team, editors, journalists, and staff of Champion, Your perseverance in a highly volatile and competitive industry is worthy of great admiration.
“Through challenging times and changing eras, you have remained committed to truth, professionalism, and national development,” Daniel said.
In his comment, Osoba also lauded the Champion Newspapers’ management and staff for their resilience.
He noted that to have sustained the news tabloid over decades, shows exceptional dedication and commitment that is highly commendable.
In her welcome address, the Group Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Champion Newspapers Ltd., Dr Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, said the awards ceremony was designed to honour exemplary leadership, integrity, innovation, and service across various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
”We gather at a time when our country faces complex challenges – economic reforms, security concerns, social transformation and the quest for inclusive growth.
“Yet, within these challenges lies 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.
“You are not just being celebrated, you are being entrusted with greater responsibility.
“Through the Champion Awards, we recognise individuals and institutions whose dedication, vision and service have contributed significantly to the advancement of society.
“These awards celebrate not only success but also the values of hard work, integrity and patriotism,” she said.
She noted that the awards had earned a reputation for identifying and celebrating foremost achievers whose works continue to inspire progress and national growth.
In tribute to the Founder of the Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, she said: “his foresight, his courage, his unwavering belief in the power of responsible journalism has today become one of Nigeria’s most enduring media institutions.”
“In an industry that is often turbulent and unforgiving, the survival and continued relevance of the Champion for decades is no small achievement,” she added.
Retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, was awarded Man of the Year.
Also, the NDLEA as a corporate body was awarded Most Innovative and Outstanding Public Agency of the Year at the ceremony.
The Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Adaora Umeoji, was awarded the Banker of the Year; while Access Bank Plc won Bank of the Year award.
The Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ecobank Nigeria Ltd., Mr Austen Osokpor, was awarded the Media Manager of the Year.
Other awardees included Globus Bank Ltd. as the Most Innovative Bank of the Year, while Moniepoint MFB got the Fintech Company of the Year.
Prince Babatunde A. Oguntade, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lectern Insurance Brokers Ltd., was awarded the Insurance Personality of the Year and Cornerstone Insurance Plc bagged the Insurance Company of the Year award.
