OPINION
By Chris Natufe
The 2025 edition of Thisday Awards came with pomp and panache; but left in its wake an unexpected controversy. The remark by Mrs Maiden Ibru, the Chairman of The Guardian newspapers that Thisday is the best newspaper in the country was an indirect putdown for her paper and a huge demoralizer for her employees.
It has generated debates among journalists and advertisers. Her first son, Toke, who was named the paper’s editor-in-chief last year, would be hard put explaining this to advertisers and business partners. It was a terrible act of indiscretion and I hope this will not instigate a family strife. Mrs Ibru was honoured with a lifetime award Monday night, and it would have been just appropriate for her to thank the publisher and editors of the paper for the award despite the fact that they are competitors.
After all, Sam Amuka, the octogenarian founder and publisher of Vanguard newspaper has received the same award, without denigrating his paper. But Mrs Ibru to indirectly put down The Guardian, a paper founded by her husband over 40 years ago and nurtured by some of the best brains in the country, was beyond the pale. Perhaps, she was overwhelmed by the ecstasy of the moment. Even Nduka Ogbaigbena, Thisday’s publisher, who handed her the award, was visibly flummoxed by the awkwardness of her remarks, and it’s a credit to his maturity that Thisday did not play up her awful remarks the following morning.
The Guardian introduced a distinctive flair to journalism, characterized by strong intellectual contents in both news and opinions. Despite numerous challenges, the workers at Rutam House are trying to sustain the tradition. Thirteen years after The Guardian was established, Thisday came with a different style: breezy, fast and colourful. Both papers have greatly enriched our journalism; offering Nigerians two good platforms for mass communication, and I’m a great fan of both.
I therefore urge The Guardian family, and this includes current and former staffs as well as business partners, to ignore Mrs Ibru’s embarrassing statement and strive hard to sustain the paper’s time tested traditions.
But this controversy has not blurred the pleasant sides of the night which included performances by Bovi; Flavour; Diana Ross and the awards won by Access Bank; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
The Global Bank of the Year awarded to Access Bank, the flagship subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, essentially recognized the bank’s significant impact on the global banking landscape. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings, received the distinguished THISDAY Titan of the Year award for his exceptional contributions to the banking sector in 2024. Access beat other institutions like AFREXIM Bank and UBA to claim the coveted title. This laurel has also highlighted the bank’s strategic leadership, rapid expansion, and unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability.
The bank’s leadership in digital banking was also recognized, with Access Bank receiving multiple accolades, including the 2024 Digital Jurist Award for Best Digital Bank. Access Bank has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, earning the 2024 Euromoney Award for Best Bank for ESG in Nigeria and Ghana. With an expanding international presence in the United Kingdom, Ghana, United Arab Emirates, China, and several African nations, Access Bank continues to solidify its position as a major global banking player.
The bank’s innovative approach is further evidenced by its cutting-edge technological initiatives, including Facepay, Access Closa, the AccessMore mobile app, and Africa Fintech Foundry—further establishing it as a leader in technological advancements, and underscoring its deserving recognition as Global Bank of the Year.
In his acceptance speech, Access Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Roosevelt Ogbonna, expressed his gratitude to the public, THISDAY Newspapers, and Arise Media Group for the recognition.
He remarked, “This award represents 30 years of hard work of doing things differently, and of building on the legacy of industry giants like Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Herbert Wigwe. We are deeply grateful to our board, management, customers, and stakeholders, who have continuously supported us. This award is for you, and we accept it in your honour.”
Similarly, Aig-Imoukhuede, along with 11 other influential leaders, was recognized with the THISDAY Titan of the Year award for 2024. Reflecting on his journey, Aig-Imoukhuede said, “In 1991, Prince Obaigbena and I first met as customer and banker. He told me that anyone fortunate enough to manage his account would one day become a managing director of a bank, and I am thankful that God fulfilled that vision. It is an incredible honour to stand with such esteemed colleagues.”
The star-studded event, which brought together dignitaries from both the private and public sectors, celebrated excellence, innovation, and leadership across industries and the political landscape.
Gov. Eno was honoured as one of the four Governors of the Year chosen by Thisday editors for his impactful achievements in just two years in office. Leadership Newspaper has also named the Akwa Ibom governor as its Man of the Year. It’s notable that Eno has approached his work with sincerity of purpose; drive and commitment. He has dedicated the Thisday award to his deputy and predecessors; while the Leadership honour is dedicated to his late wife. Congratulations, governor.
