Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Saturday, described the Sun Man of the Year Award 2011, bestowed on his AkwaIbom State counterpart, Chief Godswill Akpabio by the managemant of the Sun newspaper as a honour well deserved.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governor, who was the Sun Man of the Year 2010, stated this while presenting the award to Akpabio at an event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to Oshiomhole, “the Sun Man of the Year 2011 that is being honoured today is not a fluke. It is based on what you have been able to put in place in.your state as their leader since you took over the rein of leadership. I have been to AkwaIbom State and I know what I saw. This award is a confirmation of your achievements in office and I can say without any apology that you deserve this.”

Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Governor Akpabio said the award “ is a recognition of commitments, hardwork, passion and deep sense of service to good governance in the country.”

Akpabio, who dedicated the award to the children of Akwa Ibom rescued from child labour from various parts of the country to becoming beneficiaries of the ongoing free and compulsory education programme in the state, said the gesture of the Sun newspapers represented the readiness of media institutions to partner those in governance for sustainable democracy in the country.

The governor, who invited other Nigerians to explore the rich potentials of Akwa Ibom by coming to confirm the extent of development, changes and transformation, noted that the Year 2011 was challenging base on the failed attempts by opposition groups to cripple his administration through propaganda and falsehood.

He remarked that the award would spur more anger in him for the development of the state as a model for others to emulate, listed major sector of achievements in the implementation of free health care programmes for children from the age of 1 – 5 and also to pregnant mothers.

Akpabio indicated that the Akwa Ibom government has also made significant attainments in the construction of an independent power plant IPP, the Tropicana entertainment centre for tourism while a partnership has been established with the Federal government for the development of a deep sea port at Ibaka, saying the mega project will complement services provided by an international airport constructed at the instance of his administration.

Noting that the accomplishments of his administration go beyond stories, Akpabio thanked the Sun for maintaining a criteria of selecting the awardees without undue influence, stressing that it gives hope to the continuation of the Nigerian project based on the will of God for unity and progress.

The managing director/Editor – in chief. The Sun, Mr Tony Onyima said the award which has gone through a transformation since 2003 was instituted to acknowledge the contributions of individuals in the development of the Nigerian nation.

Onyima stated that in the repositioning the essence of the award the contributions of ordinary Nigerians have been taken into considerations, adding that with the growth in status and statue the award has been opened up for sponsorship of organisations.

He assured that with the involvement of corporate institutions the Sun newspaper was committed to sustaining the celebration of contribution of Nigerians in lifting hope for the country.