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Former governors of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Aremo Olusegun Osoba and other eminent Nigerians have lauded the resilience behind the sustenance of Champion Newspapers Limited over the decades.
They made these remarks during the Newspapers Awards evening (2025) on Saturday, March 14, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The newspaper’s management honored no fewer than 50 winners who took to the podium in recognition of their outstanding performances in both government, corporate and personal endeavors.
The Champion Newspapers annual awards, which have become one of Nigeria’s most respected platforms for recognizing hard work and excellence, have brought together a galaxy of eminent personalities from government, business, academia, traditional institutions and the private sector to celebrate individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to national development.
Otunba Senator Daniel spoke as the Chairman on the occasion while Aremo Osoba was a special guest of honor while recipients included the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, who won the Governor of the Year Award for Youth Development and Security, while the Lagos State Governor, the two Babajide Sanwo-Olu Commissioners won the Star Performance Award, 2025.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), represented by the agency spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, was the man of the year. During the ceremony, the NDLEA as a corporate body was awarded as the most innovative and outstanding public agency of the year.
Madam Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON. The Zenith Bank Plc Group CEO was Banker of the Year; Access Bank Plc won the Bank of the Year award while Austen Osokpor, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Ecobank Nigeria Limited awarded the Media Manager of the Year.
Similarly, Globus Bank Limited won the Most Innovative Bank of the Year while Moniepoint MFB won the Fintec Company of the Year. Prince Babatunde A. Oguntade. The Managing Director/CEO of Lectern Insurance Brokers Limited awarded the Insurance Personality of the Year award, while Cornerstone Insurance Plc won the Insurance Company of the Year award.
Prestige Insurance Brokers, the most outstanding insurance broker of the year and CEO of the company, Prince Feyisayo Soyewo, MFR the Olori Omooba and Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Ago-Iwoye won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) won Best Agency of the Year and Alhaji Abba Abubakar Aliyu. The managing director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was, among others, the best public servant of the year.
Welcoming guests and winners, the Chief Executive Officer/Group Editor-in-Chief of Champion Newspapers Limited, Dr. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, this year’s awards ceremony is designed to honor exemplary leadership, integrity, innovation and service across various sectors of the Nigerian economy. Over the years, the Champion Awards have earned a reputation for identifying and celebrating the best talent whose works continue to inspire national progress and growth.
According to Senator Daniel, “The Annual Champion Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence, courage, resourcefulness and the extraordinary individuals whose contributions have helped shape the progress of our nation. This ceremony is not simply an awards event, it is a special moment of recognition. 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.”
Paying tribute to the founder of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, the President noted: “His foresight, his courage, his unshakable belief in the power of responsible journalism have become one of Nigeria’s most enduring media institutions today. In an often turbulent and unforgiving industry, the survival and continued relevance of Champion for decades is no small achievement.”
Daniel, a sitting senator representing Ogun East, added that Champion Newspapers has “remained steadfast, resilient and remarkably consistent.
He has navigated changes in media, technology and national discourse with admirable strength.”
He commended Champion Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr (Mrs) Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, saying her dedication, professionalism and commitment to journalistic excellence have helped keep the Champion flag flying high despite the challenging economic environment.
“I would also like to commend the entire leadership 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,” Otunba Daniel added.
He said the Champions Awards “represent the best of our society. They remind us that excellence still matters, that integrity still matters, and that leadership and service remain the true measure of greatness. As we honor these distinguished honorees tonight, we also reaffirm our collective belief in the ideas that the Champion Awards represent,” he said.
In congratulating the winners, Senator Daniel noted, “Your accomplishments have earned you a place among distinguished champions, and today we celebrate you with pride.”
In his remarks, former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, also commended the management and staff of Champion Newspapers for their resilience.
He said that having supported the news tabloid for decades demonstrates exceptional dedication and commitment which is highly commendable.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, thanked Champion management for the award, saying the state government is committed to improving its performance in infrastructure provision.
Olumide stressed the need for real estate professionals and landowners in Lagos to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations regarding real estate development.
He said: “You cannot build your property without a layout. You cannot undertake property development without getting your approvals. You also cannot start construction without getting individual financing for those buildings and, equally, you also need inspection, physical inspection, authorization to move onto the site and start doing that work so that the people who will live in those houses have peace of mind that the houses have been done correctly. He stressed: “In Lagos, you have to respect our laws.”
Likewise, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, who won the Most Outstanding Public Service Star Award in Urban Infrastructure, said the state governor should be commended for giant strides, especially in the Light Up Lagos project.
He said: “I am proud to recognize that Governor Sanwo-Olu has done a great job. Furthermore, this award is not only for me but for all the artisans, workers and staff.”
He added: “Doing electrification is not easy, but the Ministry of Energy is committed. Until we have electrified your homes, we are not done. Lagos must electrify every corner,” he promised.
Kogi State Governor, Ododo, represented by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, expressed delight at the award.
Fanwo said, “On behalf of the Kogi State governor, we want to express our deep gratitude for this well-deserved award,” saying the state government will continue to work for the betterment of the youths.
In her welcome address, Dr Iheakanwa noted that the annual awards remain a key aspect of Champion Newspapers’ commitment to promoting excellence and accountability in both public and private life.
He said: “We gather at a time when our country faces complex challenges: economic reform, security concerns, social transformation and the pursuit of inclusive growth. Yet, within these challenges lies immense opportunity. The men and women we honor this evening have demonstrated that solutions are possible when vision meets integrity and when courage meets competence.”
He then instructed the recipients: “You are not just celebrated, you are entrusted with greater responsibility.
“Through the Champion Awards, we recognize individuals and institutions whose dedication, vision and service have contributed significantly to the progress of society. These awards celebrate not only achievement but also the values of hard work, integrity and patriotism,” he emphasised.
How late the founder, Chief Iwuanyawu, emerged as my first fan: Charly Boy
Meanwhile, Mr Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa popularly referred to as Charly Boy on Saturday revealed that the late founder of Champion newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was his first fan.
Charly Boy made the revelation during the Champion Newspapers Awards (2025) at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Charly Boy, a prominent Nigerian singer, songwriter, publisher and activist, has won the Champion of the Voiceless of the Year award.
In his remarks, Charly Boy praised Champion Newspapers management for the award, saying he usually did not withdraw the award unless he was convinced by its source.
He said: “I would like to know who is behind this. And if it is an application that has a big question mark, I would rather decline it. Well, I decided to participate in this particular program for a reason.”
He recalled how the late Chief Iwuanyawu intervened and resolved the matter when he disowned his parents.
“I disowned my parents. ‘I didn’t text them.’ So, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu was Charly Boy’s first fan. He started this journey and I can never, ever, ever forget it. So I am here in memory of a great man who helped me financially, emotionally and supported me through this journey,” he revealed.
