Daily Times of Nigeria Celebrates 100 Years with Heroes Awards

Daily Times of Nigeria recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with the Heroes Awards, recognising individuals and institutions that have contributed to Nigeria's growth. The event, organised by Folio Media Group, was held at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, and themed "Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future." The ceremony acknowledged the contributions of leading figures in various sectors, including banking, technology, media, energy, aviation, security, entertainment, and public service.

The list of honorees included Dr Biodun Shobanjo, advertising veteran and Chairman of Troyka Holdings, who received the Changemaker of the Century Award for his contributions to marketing communications. Zenith Bank founder Jim Ovia was also recognised with the same award for his role in developing Nigeria's financial services industry. Additionally, the bank's Group Managing Director, Dame Adaora Umeoji, received the Person of the Year Award for her leadership and professional achievements in the banking sector.

Google Africa Managing Director Alex Okosi was honoured with the Changemaker of the Decade in Culture and Digital Economy Award for his contributions to African entertainment and digital technology. Okosi acknowledged the importance of collaboration among institutions and businesses in creating a better future for Nigeria. Engineer Elohor Aiboni, Shell executive, was recognised as Changemaker in Energy Development for her contributions to Nigeria's deepwater oil and gas industry, particularly in petroleum engineering and asset management.

Uche Pedro, founder of BellaNaija, received the Trailblazer in Digital Media and Creative Enterprise Award for her role in developing the platform into a prominent African media brand. Ambassador Alistair Soyode, founder of BEN Television, was honoured with a Trailblazer Award for his contributions to diaspora broadcasting and the promotion of African stories. Filmmaker Mildred Okwo and Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, were also recognised for their contributions to Nigerian cinema and cultural development.

Adebola Williams, co-founder of RED | For Africa, received an award for his contributions to media entrepreneurship, strategic communications, and civic engagement. Moky Makura, Executive Director of Africa No Filter, was honoured with a Changemaker Award for her work in challenging limiting narratives about Africa and promoting stories reflecting the continent's achievements. Makura emphasised the importance of Africans recognising and communicating their own progress.

The event featured a national conversation, an exhibition celebrating Daily Times' history, and presentations recognising achievements across the public and private sectors. In her acceptance speech, Engineer Aiboni dedicated her award to the Nigerian girl child and called for greater representation of women in leadership. She argued that women's participation in leadership was essential to national progress and that opportunities should be created for more women to occupy decision-making positions.

The Daily Times Nigeria Centenary Heroes Awards demonstrated the newspaper's commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of individuals and institutions that have contributed to Nigeria's growth. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration, leadership, and innovation in shaping the country's future. As the newspaper continues to mark its 100th anniversary, it remains a significant voice in Nigerian journalism, promoting national development and enterprise.

Key points

• The Daily Times Nigeria Centenary Heroes Awards recognised leading figures in various sectors for their contributions to Nigeria's growth and development.
• The event featured a diverse range of awardees, including Dr Biodun Shobanjo, Jim Ovia, and Alex Okosi.
• The ceremony highlighted the importance of collaboration, leadership, and innovation in shaping Nigeria's future.