The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed gratitude after being honoured as the ‘Minister of the Year’ at the esteemed 2025 ThisDay Awards, remarking that winning the award removed any potential doubts of bias among Nigerians.
While receiving the accolade on Monday night, Wike reaffirmed his commitment to fostering greater development and progress across Nigeria in 2025.
He stressed that the time for excuses had passed and pledged to deliver on his mandate with renewed vigor.
He expressed gratitude to Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher of ThisDay Newspaper and Chairman of Arise Television, for organizing the event.
“I want to assure all those who do their businesses in Nigeria that this year, 2025, we will see more developments and more infrastructure, and that is what is basic for us; we do not have time for excuses; the time for excuses has gone. I thank all Nigerians,” Wike said.
The former governor of Rivers State noted that his recognition was proof of Obaigbena’s impartiality.
“Let me use this opportunity to say thank you, you have shown that you are not biased. You did the right thing; otherwise, Nigerians would have said you did partiality. I am sure everyone here is happy that I am the minister of the year, it is for everyone,” he added.
He also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for providing him the platform to contribute to the nation’s growth.
“I thank the president for giving us the opportunity, if the president didn’t give us the opportunity we may not be here to contribute the little we contribute,” Wike stated.
At the same event, Zenith Bank PLC was named Bank of the Year, while Access Bank clinched the Global Bank of the Year title.
Zenith Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Adaora Umoji, expressed appreciation for the honor and dedicated the award to the bank’s customers and employees. She also acknowledged the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, for his support.
The convener of the awards, Obaigbena, remarked, “It is a privilege to honour the best of Nigerians because we believe if we honour the best our children will be better.”
Other honorees included Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, which was named Company of the Year, and MTN, recognized as Brand of the Year. Shell Nigeria PLC took home the Investor of the Year award.
Managing Director and CEO of Providus Bank, Walter Akpani, received the Banker of the Year award, while Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan were both recognized as Senators of the Year.
Lifetime Achievers Awards were presented to Maiden Ibru, Publisher of The Guardian Newspaper, and Mustapha Chike-Obi, Chairman of Fidelity Bank PLC.
