2018 Independent Awards: Aare Gani Adams Emerges The "Bridge Builder"

Four days after the completion of his first anniversary as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, on Thursday was named the “bridge builder” at the 2018 edition of the Independent awards.

Adams was one of the 20 eminent Nigerians celebrated for this year awards.

The event, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, had in attendance, prominent personalities across the social and political divide.

Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Aare Gani Adams, said the award is a big testimony of his resolve to be the rallying point for both the strong and weak in the society,noting that the journey to make Nigeria great again has just started in earnest.

“I want to appreciate the management of the Independent Newspapers for this honour. It is indeed, a great privilege to be counted among the best, especially, in a country like Nigeria, where people don’t appreciate their heroes. On this note, I think the new award is a call to higher duty, even as it is evident that I have never for once rested on my oars. So for me, it is not how far, but how well as they say. However, it is indeed a great honour and I am very happy to be one of the recipients of these glorious awards”.

Managing Director, editor- in-chief of Independent Newspapers Limited, Mr. Ade Ogidan, in his remarks, said Aare Adams, has distinguished himself as a man of strong will and great virtues, even as a young man, he is able to command glowing respects and accolades both in Nigeria and abroad.

Ogidan reiterated the importance of appreciating the movers and shakers of the society, adding that Adams’ name was prominently mentioned by top management and members of the screening committee for this award.

“We had thorough debates selecting individual recipients for these awards. These awards mean alot to our brand. That is why it is difficult for anybody to doubt our sense of judgment. It was a rigorous attempt picking the best candidate in all sectors, but in the end, we are of good conviction that we have chosen the Nigeria’s best for this year awards, he said.

Apart from Aare Gani Adams, prominent among the recipients of this year Independent awards were the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, (National Legislator of the year 2018)governors of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson(Man of the Year 2018),Delta, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa(Governor of the Year 2018),Rivers,Nyesom Wike(Political Icon of the year 2018)Abia, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu(Governor of the Year in Entrepreneurship 2018)Ekiti state first lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi,(Gender activist of the year 2018)Aare Afe Babalola(Achiever of the year 2018),Prince Samuel Adedoyin(Life Achievement) and several others.

Other guests present at the event include:Publisher of Independent Newspapers and former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori,Chairman of the event, Eng. Mansur Ahmed, Osi Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Kayode Balogun, and Former governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. Others were:PDP stalwart, chief Olabode George,PDP standard bearer in Lagos state, Jimi Agbaje, former Deputy governor of Lagos state, Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele,Barrister, Babajide Tanimowo, Mr. Lasun Ogunfowokan, Dr. Abiola Ayankunbi, and Asari Dokubo among others.