Notable South-Easterners are to be recognized in the forthcoming New National Star Newspaper South-East Achievement Awards and Annual Lecture Series.
A statement signed by the Managing Director/Editor- in- Chief of the Newspaper, Martin Ayankola, on Tuesday in Abuja said the event was aimed at recognising deserving individuals and corporate organisations who had distinguished themselves in all spheres of human endeavour.
He said the recognition is part of its commitment to deepening democracy, good governance, economic development as well as sustaining peace and security in Nigeria.
Ayankola noted that the South-East Achievement Awards and Annual Lecture Series (SEAA) would be used as a platform to recognise and celebrate a select group of distinguished Nigerians from the South -East region of the country.
This, he said, was for their exceptional accomplishments and contributions to society in different fields.
“It is an award ceremony that will cut across age, career and other categorisations. The platform will also be used to discuss issues affecting the South- East and to encourage inculcation of the “Think Home Philosophy,” he added.
Ayankola said all the award recipients would automatically be nominees for the National Award Ceremony slated for January 2023 in Abuja.
He added that the series would be held in all the geopolitical zones of the country after which a grand finale would take place in Abuja.
According to him, every citizen from the South-East is qualified as a recipient adding that nominees MUST have the following attributes; they must be distinguished leaders and role models; they must be contributors to the growth and success of others as well as persons of vision and creativity; and they must must have verifiable presence of investments in the South -East.
A total of 21 categories have been identified for the awards and they include:
*Best Emerging Business Award/Best start-up
*Outstanding Employer of Labour
*Best Digital Presence.
*Non-Profit Organization/NGO of the Year Award
*Business Achievement Award (Male/Female Category)
*Businesswoman of the Year
*Businessman of the Year
*Best Governor in Infrastructural Development
*Best Governor in Peace and Security
*South -East Person of the Year
*South- East Outstanding Leadership Award
*Entrepreneur of the Year
*Lifetime Achievement Award
*Philanthropist of the Year
*Best Performing Legislator 2022
*Best Youth Mentor of the Year
*Dynamic Youth Award 2022
*Creative Industry Award 2022
*Outstanding Support for Education
*Song of the Year Award *Artiste of the Year Award
Method of selection
According to Ayankola, the names of nominees can be submitted by the public to the New National Star Newspaper through any of its social media handles; https://m.facebook.com/NewNationalStar/ ;https://m.facebook.com/newnationalstartv/ ; https://www.instagram.com/newnationalstar/.
He added that a committee would collate and screen all nominees and select a final list for each award category.
“To this end, the general public is therefore enjoined to forward their nominees for the various categories, stating reasons why their candidates should be considered,’’ he said.
