Lagos – The Sun Humanitarian Service Icon Award 2026 will be presented on Friday, 13 November 2026 at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, where Founder and Chairman of the Ofiafuluego Foundation, Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh, and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Victory International Limited, Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, were named the award’s humanitarian honorees.
Both men described the recognition as an unexpected “pleasant surprise” that strengthens their resolve to serve Nigeria. Chief Nwabueze told reporters, “I did not even know I was being considered for this award. I have simply been doing my work as a private citizen who means well for Nigeria. This recognition will encourage us to do more. As long as I live, I will keep contributing my quota to the development of this country.”
Chief Otti added, “I was just going about my business and doing what I could for my people. I never imagined that it would be noticed and rewarded in this way. Nigeria and the society around me have been kind to me. I will continue to give back for as long as I am alive.”
Managing Director and Editor‑in‑Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, said the duo were selected after extensive deliberations by the Board of Editors and praised their merit‑based contributions. He noted that the Ofiafuluego Foundation “designs interventions that respond to the everyday realities facing vulnerable communities,” focusing on education, welfare, empowerment and capacity‑building at the grassroots level. Ukeh also highlighted Otti’s community projects, including the installation of solar‑powered street lights from Ibubu junction to Achalla, payment of nursery and primary school fees at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, and sponsorship of a multi‑kilometre road project in Umuchu that eases the state’s rural‑development burden.
Other honorees at the Sun Awards ceremony include:
- Governor Hope Uzodimma – Man of the Year
- Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Hyacinth Alia (Benue) and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) – Governor of the Year
- Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal – First Lady of the Year (Zamfara)
- Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi – Courage in Leadership Award (DSS)
- Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele – Senator of the Year
- Senator Abdulaziz Yari – Political Icon of the Year
- Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu – Most Innovative Legislator of the Year
- Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara – House of Representatives Member of the Year
- Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli (Flavour) – Creative Icon of the Year
- Minister of Information and National Orientation – Alhaji Mohammed Idris
- Minister of Education – Dr Tunji Alausa (Minister of the Year)
- Governor Gbenga Daniel – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Most Rev Margaret Benson‑Idahosa – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Chief Mrs. Teju Phillips – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Senator Jim Nwobodo – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Dr Abdulahi Gand
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
