Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mr. Sonny Echono and Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, have described their emergence as winners of The Sun Public Service Personality Award 2026 as a deeply meaningful recognition.
Speaking separately in Abuja, when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, led the management team to present nomination letters to them, Echono and Maida said the award would spur them to rededicate themselves to national service.
Echono amd Maida are among eminent Nigerians who will be honoured in different categories at The Sun awards ceremony billed for Friday, November 13, 2026 at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The TETfund Executive Secretary said he appreciates The Sun award because of the integrity of the newspaper in Nigeria. “This recognition is particularly significant because it comes from a very reputable organisation and the flagship award-giving agency in the country,” he said.
Echono expressed his profound appreciation to the Chairman, the Board of Editors and the entire Management team for considering him worthy of the recognition.
According to him, he is humbled that his efforts in the education sector were being acknowledged.
“I am humbled, yet deeply grateful, that our modest efforts to contribute meaningfully to the preparation of the young and future generations of Nigeria, which, in our view, constitute perhaps the most critical resource we have as a country, are being noticed, acknowledged and rewarded with an award of this nature,” he said.
Echono, while talking about the pedigree of The Sun Awards, said: “Whenever the awards are coming up, there is a certain excitement and anticipation across the country; everybody pays attention.”
He assured the management that the award would serve as a stimulus, stating: “Not only will we come in our numbers to celebrate with you, but we will also use this recognition as a stimulus to rededicate ourselves to the service of our country. We will continue to ensure that the qualities, virtues and values you have recognised in us will continue to inform and inspire us, as well as whoever succeeds us in this office, to achieve even more.”
The TETFund boss stressed that the achievement at the agency was collective. “I can assure you that this is a collective effort. It builds on the heritage we inherited, and with the support of so many stakeholders and actors, we have been able to create an environment capable of playing a transformative role in our tertiary education sector, changing the dynamics and, indeed, changing our history,” he said.
On TETFund’s activities, he said: “Our goal is to restore our campuses to the standards that institutions of learning should maintain, while also preparing and equipping our graduates to compete globally. It is the reason we stay awake at night and why we continue to work together to ensure that there are institutions in this country that people can point to and say: ‘This institution is working.’ We are glad to be part of that transformation.”
Maida, on his part, said the award was a personal tribute, which would have made his late father, Wada Maida, proud, were he alive, given his longstanding relationship with the media industry.
“I believe my late father would have been proud of this award because it comes from the media family he gave so much for,” Maida said, while thanking The Sun management for the honour.
He added that his father’s discipline, love and support had played a major role in shaping his life.
Maida also credited NCC staff for his success, saying the award was a reflection of their dedication and collective efforts to advance the commission’s mandate.
Earlier, Ukeh said both winners were chosen strictly on merit.
At the NCC, Ukeh said: “You brought to the office impressive academic and professional credentials. Your professional experience includes serving as Executive Director, Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System; Chief Technology Officer at ARCA Payments Network; and Lead Consultant at British Telecoms and Mobility Group, Cisco Systems, in the United Kingdom.”
The Sun MD said Maida has “distinguished himself through his commitment to technological advancement, mentoring young professionals and contributing to research, qualities that have strengthened his profile in public service.”
On Echono, Ukeh described him as “a distinguished public administrator, accomplished architect, and reform-driven technocrat with over 35 years of exemplary service in Nigeria’s public sector.”
The Sun MD said Echono had “provided strategic leadership in advancing infrastructure development, research, innovation, and academic staff training, thereby strengthening institutions across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.”
Apart from Echono and Maida, other award winners are Governor Hope Uzodimma, who will receive the Man of the Year award, as well as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna), Governor Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Governor Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue) and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), who will be honoured with the Governor of the Year award.
Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State, is First Lady of the Year, with the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, receiving the Courage in Leadership Award.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele will receive the Senator of the Year award, with former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, emerging as Political Icon of the Year, while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, is Most Innovative Legislator of the Year, and Muktar Aliyu Betara, a member representing a constituency in Borno State, will receive the House of Representatives Member of the Year award.
In entertainment, celebrated music star Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli (Flavour) wins the Creative Icon of the Year award.
Others to receive awards are Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, who will receive the Minister of the Year award.
The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to former Ogun State governor and serving senator, Gbenga Daniel; Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Margaret Benson-Idahosa; former Chairman of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Teju Phillips; former governor of Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo; and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.
Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and Kunemofa Asu, Director of Finance and Accounts, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will receive the Public Service Personality Award, with the Real Estate Icon Award going to Samuel Ajose, CEO of Levitikal Group, and Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, CEO of Homadil Realty.
Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Oliver Alawuba, is to receive the Banker of the Year award, while Access Bank Plc wins Bank of the Year.
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, will receive the Parastatal of the Year award.
Those to receive the Entrepreneur of the Year award are Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Ltd, and George Obi, Chairman/CEO of Fidel Associates Limited, with Sunday Ephraim Ezeobiora, Chairman of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited, and Anthony Obele, CEO of Mekens Integrated Nigeria Limited, clinching the Investor of the Year award.
The Industrialist of the Year award will be received by Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group; Ikenna Ekeagu, CEO of Blueworld Cosmetics; and Badamasi Burji, Group Managing Director of First Class Refreshment Limited, with Kester Okike Agwu, Founder/CEO of Tastia Restaurants, and RemiChris Nwagbo, Chairman of BON Octagon Hotel, Abuja, billed to receive the Hospitality Icon Award.
The Sports Personality of the Year award will be received by Leo Edochie, a renowned golf promoter and Chairman/CEO of Solotone Global Ventures Limited, with Friday Nwabueze Umeh, Founder of Ofiafuluego Foundation, and Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, CEO of Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd., receiving the Humanitarian Service Icon Award, while Alexander Uzo Onyido, the Igwe of Ogidi, will be honoured as Royal Father of the Year.
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