Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has described his recognition for the prestigious Sun Newspaper award by the management of the Sun Publishing Company Limited as a motivation and challenge to render more purposeful leadership for the state.
Addressing the management of the company on Tuesday who came to present the award nomination letter to him in his office at the centenary city, Abakaliki, the state capital, the Governor expressed delight on the award.
He opined that the award came to him as a surprise and appreciated the recognition
“Am particularly happy for this prestigious award by the Sun Newspaper, i feel very challenged because I didn’t expect that we are doing will get the attention of this newspaper.
“This award is a great challenge and I am very excited for it because it is a challenge to me in the sense that I still need to do more for this great state.
“We are not doubting your assessment on this recognition. It highlights what we have done and what we are doing to take our dear state to the greater heights.We will do more to justify this honour”, the Governor said.
He explained that each of the 13 local area of the state has not less than 25k constructed by his administration in addition to compulsory 2km road awarded in the LGAs.
Nwifuru further explained that his administration was building two world class universities; University of ICT which has 23 buildings worth N2bn each and nearing completion and Aerometric University with 17 buildings also worth N2bn.
He revealed that 315 beneficiaries of his administration’s foreign scholarship scheme, have completed their Masters Degrees and have commenced their PhDs and that none of them are members of the Nwifuru family.
He said, he ensured that the beneficiaries were selected on merit and not sentiments.
He described Sun Newspaper as one of the best newspapers in the country which he reads regularly.
Presenting the nomination letter to him for the Sun Governor of the year 2026, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Onuoha Ukeh
He said the Governor’s selection for the award was based on merit. and was arrived at after extensive deliberations by the Board of Editors of the organization.
He averred that since assuming office in 2023, Nwifuru have made a deliberate effort to invest in the State’s most critical asset – the people in line with people-centred governance philosophy as encapsulated in his Charter of Needs mantra.
“Without blowing your trumpet, you have distinguished yourself from your contemporaries in education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, human capital development, housing, water resources, youth development, respect for the rule of law, prudent management of resources, diaspora engagement, aviation, respect for the autonomy of the local government system, relative peace across the communities, skills acquisition, transportation, commerce and industry, power, rural development, security, as well as trade and investment.
“You understand that the true measure of leadership is in institutions that work. Employing qualified personnel into the civil service and funding overseas scholarships for Ebonyi’s brightest minds are indications that you are rebuilding the human foundation of the state.
“You have given assurance that a professional civil service and a globally trained generation of Ebonyi people will be your legacy.
“Beneficiaries are being trained in medicine, engineering, agriculture, renewable energy, data science, education, and public administration.
“Your Excellency has sustained this human capital development drive with the belief that no one can build 21st-century hospitals without doctors trained in modern medical practices, including telemedicine and the application of artificial intelligence in medicine as has been successfully done in China and other parts of the world.
“You also believe that no one can industrialise a state without well-trained engineers who understand new technologies, just as education reforms without teachers that are exposed to global best practices is waste of time and resources.
“On assumption of office in 2023, your administration recruited 2,000 teachers for basic education, 100 judicial officers for the state Judiciary Service, 1,700 staff in the State Ministries, Departments and Agencies; medical personnel including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab scientists. You also promoted all those due for promotion.
“Your administration has established the University of ICT, Oferekpe, which kicked off in March 2026. The state also initiated the process of establishing Aeronautical and Aerospace University, Onueke, while work is ongoing on roads accessing all the palaces of traditional rulers in the state.
“In addition, your government has constructed 300 units of 3-bedroom bungalows for resettlement of communal war victims of Amaeze and Izzo autonomous communities in Ishielu with internal roads, water and solar lights.
“Under your watch, priority is given to the welfare of the people. You have cleared the backlog of gratuities and pensions owed retired civil servants from 2015 to date. You extended similar lifeline to retired staff of the Ebonyi State Local Government System from creation in 1996 to date.
“It is in recognition of these and many more impactful achievements Ebonyi State has recorded under your leadership that The Sun Board of Editors chose you as winner of The Sun Governor of the Year Award 2026”, Ukeh said
He explained that the Governor of the Year Award is given to state chief executive who has caused tremendous transformation of his state for the good of the people.
The Managing Director said formal presentation of the award to Nwifuru will hold at The Sun Awards ceremony on Friday, November 13, 2026 at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos from 7pm.
