Nigeria’s Centre of Excellence. Lagos, Saturday, stood still as the Akwa Ibom sate governor Chief Godswill Akpabio was decorated the 9th Sun Man of the year 2011.

The conferment of the award witnessed by the cream of the Nigerian society including the wife of the governor, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, the deputy governor Mr. Nsima Ekere, took place at the expo hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Accompanied by the secretary to the State government, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, the governor while receiving the award described it as “Recognition of commitment, 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 represent 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 based 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 sectors 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 Complex 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 repositioning the essence of the award the contributions of ordinary Nigerians have been taken into consideration, adding that with the growth in status and statue the award has been opened up for sponsorship by organizations. He assured that with the involvement of corporate institutions the Sun newspaper was committed to sustaining the celebration of contribution of Nigerians in lifting the hope for the country.

At the presentation of the award, the Edo State governor Mr. Adams Oshiomole, hailed Akpabio as deserving the award based on achievements which has transformed Akwa Ibom in the last four and a half years. While congratulating Akpabio, the Edo State governor, Oshiomole, said “all who have gone to Akwa Ibom in recent times can testify that you (Akpabio) deserve this award as Sun Man of the year 2011”.

Prominent Nigerians who attended the event are the former governor of Cross River state, Mr. Donald Duke, The former governor of Oyo State, Chief Segun Osoba, the former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Mr. Sam Ikon, and others.