The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been named the recipient of the prestigious ‘Best Woman of the Year’ award at the Independent Awards 2024, an event celebrating significant contributions across various sectors.
The award was presented during the gala night held on Saturday in Lagos.
Although Mrs. Tinubu could not attend in person, she was represented by Hajia Fatima Tajudeen, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In her message, Senator Tinubu dedicated the award to the women and youth of Nigeria, acknowledging their relentless efforts in driving the nation’s progress and development. She highlighted the invaluable, yet often unsung, role that Nigerian women and youth play in shaping the country’s future.
The Independent Awards, which recognize exceptional achievements in fields such as politics, entertainment, business, and education, also honored other notable figures.
Tinubu expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Independent Newspaper board for the recognition, emphasizing that the award would serve as further motivation to continue her work toward national development.
In a related development, Chief Olabode George, the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West, addressed the event as chairman, urging President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to resolve the escalating crisis in Rivers State.
George stressed the importance of the state to Nigeria’s economy and warned that allowing the situation to deteriorate could trigger widespread instability across the nation. He called for the government to ensure peace, citing the historical impact of civil unrest on national security.
The Independent Awards also saw a number of individuals and organizations honored for their contributions to Nigeria’s development.
Among the notable recipients were Governor Seyi Makinde, named Independent Man of the Year, and Chief Bisi Akande, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring influence in the country’s political landscape.
Other awardees included Governors Charles Soludo of Anambra, Bassey Otu of Cross River, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo, who were recognized for their achievements in urban renewal, economic transformation, and solid minerals development, respectively.
The entertainment sector was also well-represented, with Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, popularly known as Kiekie, earning the Social Media Influencer of the Year Award for her significant impact in digital media.
In business, Otunba Mike Adenuga, Chairman of Globacom, was honored for his outstanding contributions to the telecommunications industry, alongside other distinguished individuals such as Charles Odi, Director-General of SMEDAN, and Professor Abayomi Fasina of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).
The ceremony was a testament to the immense contributions of Nigerians across various sectors, highlighting their dedication to advancing the country’s development.
