Notable personalities such as Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, Wife of the winner of the 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola, Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and others have been honoured at the 2023 Silverbird Man of The Year Awards which has taken centerstage with at the Eko Hotel Hotel and Suites on Sunday.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun was crowned Man of the Year in an atmosphere were charged and filled with nostalgia as the Silverbird group refreshed their memories of great Nigerians who built a nation in their time.
Reacting to the award, Governor Abiodun said he would like to particulate appreciate Silverbird for finding him worthy of winning the award among others.
He said it is a testament to rededicate himself to Ogun State and make it the investors destination of choice.
He spoke about the “Iseya scheme”, the transportation system and continuous building of modern infrastructure in the area of aviation where the government is currently building an airport. He spoke about the dry port that the government is currently building and how his administration will ensure that the state attracts more investments.
On the federal government efforts to reposition Nigeria, he urged the citizens to give president Tinubu more time to do the work, adding that eight months is too short to assess the present federal administration.
The event started with the posthumous awards, which actually sent the audience into ecstasy as the names of the recipients were read out.
It began with Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, wife of the winner of the 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola.
Receiving the award on behalf of the family, Kudirat’s son Rasheed Abiola, who is also a Special Adviser to President BolabTinubu thanked Silverbird for recognising her mother.
He said, “Nigerians should have enough patience to allow the democracy to work. May God bless Silverbird for honouring my mother.
Another Posthumous awardee is the former Minister of Internal Affairs Alhaji Umar Shinkafi whom daughter and a former first lady of Kebbi state,Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu described as a cross cultural personality.
As he put it, ” Remembering the legacy of our dear father. My father was a true Nigerian, he was a cross cultural person. It is a big honour to receive this award posthumously.
Festus Okotie-Eboh, the former Minister of Finance’s granddaughter received the posthumous award on behalf of the family. She said the legacy of her father had continued live on as being showcased with the posthumous award by the Silverbird Television.
Another recipient is Michael Okpara, a former Premier of the Eastern Nigeria who had a remarkable achievement by building great world infrastructure in the east. He was a man of foresight.
In the Trailblazer award category , popular actor, Kunle Remi, appreciated God and thanked the Silverbird for the honour. he dedicated the award to Mr. Ibu, an iconic Nollywood comedian who died a few days ago, describing him as the real trailblazer.
Nancy Isime is another trailblazer awardee who said that as a young girl, she always watched Silverbird and now she there she was standing to receive award from the same television station.
“To think that years later I will be a recipient of an award from Silverbird it’s a big deal for me. I represent numerous brands. There is nothing impossible in my dictionary. I will only advise our youths to bury your head into the work and you will be fine. What a time to be a Nigeria, yet I’m proud to be a Nigerian.
In the Influencer category, the Most Influential Influencer of the year was won by Tunde Ednut. He charged young Nigerians to use their creativity positively.
In the Breakthrough Talent of the year category, a singer and upcoming artist, Olatunde Temitope, popularly known as Konstance was awarded.
She gave glory to God, thanking him how far he had taken her as she commended Silverbird and everyone that has been supporting her.
In the Special Achievement award, popular blogger, Linda Ikeji was honoured. She also described the award as a great feat in her career.
Another awardee in the Special Achievement category is Nollywood thespian, Funke Akindele, who described the organisation of the award as topnotch and the first time she would be watching her works on the display.
“I was watching myself and my works. I thank Silverbird. A thank you to all the cast of Omo Ghetto, and the Tribe Called Judah. I dedicate the award to all my fans and the memory of my mom. For always reminding that I could do it. “Silverbird group, E Se gaan oo.”
For Life Achievement Award, Ken Caleb Olumese, the owner of Coliseum Night Club was awarded. Speaking, he said he had played his part in the entertainment industry and had now retired. He said no honour is greater than the one he had received at Silverbird. “Thank you Silverbird, thank you everybody,” he said.
You Tube personality, Alex Okosi got Iconic Pioneer Award. He said, “I’m very humble for this amazing award.” He commended the vision of the founder of Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, adding that Nigeria will definitely get out of the present if the citizens can all play their part.
Before presenting the award to Okosi, Senator Bruce shared the memory of how he met the young man in London. He said, “I met him in London and he came to Nigeria to turn around the entertainment industry by improving the value on the industry.”
The Financial Institution of the year went to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation of Nigeria.
Manufacturer of the year award went to Innoson Motors and receiving the award the representative of the Chief Executive, Innocent Chukwuma, said “We appreciate this award and we will not relent on putting Nigeria on the world map”.
The Icon of Peace award went to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara whose deputy received the plaque on hia behalf. She said, I will reiterate the governor’s words that there is no price to big to pay for peace.” He has asked me to thank Silverbird that he will remember this award throughout his lifetime. He said that peace will fully restore in Rivers State.
Governor of the year went to the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori. Speaking, the recipient said, the governor is very grateful for the honour by Silverbird.
He explained that he came to serve Deltans and did not know that in just nine months the world is noticing what the government had been doing. He said that in less than nine months, the government had hired 2000 teacher to promote quality education.
He thanked Deltans for all the cooperation his government had been enjoying. He dedicated the award to Deltans, promising that he will not rest on his oars.
In his speech, the Silverbird group founder, Ben Bruce posited that the private sector should be funded by the banks to build the economy and turn the country to construction site.
He urged Nigeria to make it a law that Nigerians should fly Nigeria carrier to strengthen the Naira. He advocated for the patronage of made in Nigeria products such as Innoson vehicles and co.
He urged to government to legalise the illegal refineries by doing a deal with those that are involved in it.
On the hunger in the land, he said the reasons the consumer are in trouble is die to the high cost of transportation because the producer and retailers had put all the burdens on the consumers.
To him, the government must take a position to regulate the cost of transportation so that the price of food can crash.
He commended president Tinubu for trying to implement Steve Orosanye report.
The highlight of the event is the talk by Chief Executive of Peace Airline Alex Onyema, who was a former winner.
He said, “Sometime two years ago, I received Silverbird Man of the Year. And for the winners of today, you have to walk tall when you receive it. It came with a lot of respect. You deserve the privilege. My fellow Nigerians. My fights over time had been vindicated. You cannot claim that you love Nigeria and leave it to be fixed by government alone.
We must find a way of rescuing our country. It’s not about Tinubu alone. A situation a minister allows city hopping of foreign airline will always destroy the Naira against dollar.
You put a lot of pressure on local currency. Why are they increasing their frequency. Nobody cares about the country. It’s not the fault of President Tinubu. N17 million to do six hours journey to London by foreign airline is not good.
Let us not use violence to destroy this country.
Airline fare crashed from N16 million to five million for business class because Airpeace crashed it to N4 million.
