The board and editors of leading online newspaper Daylight (www.daylight.ng) have given reasons it is specially honouring eminent Nigerians at the maiden edition of its Daylight Annual Leadership Awards (DALA), 2016.
The high-octane awards ceremony holds elaborately on Sunday, May 22, at the prestigious Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, amid glitz and grandeur.
According to a statement issued today by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the reliable online publication, Mr. Azuh Amatus (NGE), who is also the Chairman and Founder of the awards scheme, the star-studded list is made up of worthy and immensely qualified Nigerians chosen from different backgrounds.
Azuh further added that the aim of the awards is to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence among Nigerians who have excelled immensely in various leadership positions and equally impacted positively on our nation in both public and private sectors.
The distinguished recipients include the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Atiku Bagudu, who goes home with a plaque as Daylight Woman of the Year.
She is being celebrated for her invaluable contributions to the less privileged in our society with her self-funded NGO, Mallpai Foundation, which has done extensive humanitarian works in Northern Nigeria and beyond for almost a decade.
Also to be honoured is the presidential spokesman, celebrated journalist and newspaper administrator extraordinaire cum leader, Mr. Femi Adesina (FNGE).
Articulate Adesina, a two-time president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and former MD of The Sun Newspapers, will be decorated as Daylight Newspaper Most Outstanding Media Personality of the year.
Interestingly, the immediate past director general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba, will be garlanded with the biggest award of the evening, the Daylight Newspaper Person of the year.
Cerebral and meticulous Mba, is being recognised, rewarded and celebrated for his giant strides and unmatchable developmental initiatives during his brief but historic stint at the NBC.
Among other laudable achievements, Mba boldly championed the transition from analogue to Digital Switch Over in the nation’s broadcasting sector, expected to be fully implemented in 2017.
Showbiz impresario and founder of leading events and entertainment haven, Coliseum Events Centre, Mr. Ken Calebs Olumese, was unanimously picked as the recipient of the Daylight Newspaper Life-Time Achievement Award.
This is in appreciation of his immense contributions to that sector in a remarkable and successful career spanning over three decades.
Moreover, the famous thespian trio of Stephanie Okereke-Linus, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) and Osita Iheme (Pawpaw) will be serenaded with special recognition awards as Daylight Newspaper Nollywood Persons of the year.
While, talented Okereke is being recognised and decorated for the huge success and global accolades recorded with her runaway success film, Dry, the duo of Aki and Pawpaw are equally being celebrated and honoured for being unarguably the biggest exports out of Nollywood.
The trio, who have also been consistent with their careers, are no doubt the most visible brands in Nollywood, in the year under review.
For bringing back vim and verve on TV screens with her exciting You and I programme, iconic Nollywood diva, Monalisa Chinda-Coker, will proudly walk home with the Talk Show Host of the year trophy.
Again, the multi-talented trio of Okey Bakassi, Raw Nwanne and Yaw, will be presented with special recognition awards as Daylight Newspaper Comedian, Musician and Radio Personalities of the year, respectively.
The honour is in appreciations of their great contributions to the various sectors they represent as leaders and role models.
Passionate filmmaker, cerebral writer and leading content provider on TV, Zik Zulu-Okafor, is the proud recipient of the Daylight Nollywood Icon of the year diadem.
The well deserved honour is in appreciation of his unmatched developmental strides in Nollywood, where the two-time national president of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), is a key player and true leader.
Amazingly, fast rising actress and lawyer, Angel Ufuoma, who is one of the hottest new generation stars in Tinsel town, will be crowned with Nollywood Most Promising Actress of the year.
Another worthy recipient is, leading Abuja based top lawyer and fiery columnist, Barrister Sam Kargbo, who won the Most Outstanding Columnist of the year (Law and National Development), for his nationalistic approach to issues of national interest.
Undoubtedly, for changing the nation’s aviation industry for good, the billionaire founder of Air Peace, Chief
Allen Onyema’s company, will be decorated as the Airline of the Year.
Meanwhile, the green and white carpet of the epoch event starts at 4.p.m. prompt, with paparazzi in abundance.
Shedding more light, Azuh, who hails from Azia, Ihiala LGA of Anambra State stated:
“DALA honourees are leading role models that have equally aided national growth and development with their leadership roles and God’s given talents. We are profoundly proud of them, appreciate and hold them in high esteem.”
The talented and famous duo of comedian Okey Bakassi and actress Jennifer Eliogu have been sensationally chosen as anchors of the historic gathering currently serenading Lagos and its environs.
