The immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has been voted Man of the Year in the 2024 Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX), beating the former energy minister, Chief Bartholomew Nnaji and the chairman of Globacom, Michael Adenuga, to the second and third positions respectively.
According to the organisers, Emmanuel polled 1,460,388 votes to defeat Nnaji, the CEO of Geometric Power, who polled 861,976, while Adenuga got 267,915 votes in the Man of the Year category.
In the 13-day nationwide poll, the founder of Pink Breast Cancer (PBCCF) Care Foundation, Adaora Umeoji, emerged Woman of the Year and Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State emerged Governor of the Year.
According to the statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Uyo, Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu polled 437,528 votes to defeat Gov Babagana Zulum of Borno State who garnered 298,344 votes.
Other results showed that Gov Alex Otti of Abia got 286,235 while Gov Ademola Adeleke of Osun polled 86,195.
Also on the winning train is Dr Adaora Umeoji, who got 819, 543 votes to defeat the group managing director of Rose of Sharon Group and founder, Flourish Africa Foundation, Folorunso Alaina who got 611,854.
Former Senator, Adamawa Central, Senator Aishatu Binani polled 358,024 while the vice chancellor of University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi, got 306,814.
The organisers said, “the Man and the Woman of the Year awards are the most prestigious online media honours in the country, recognising exceptional individuals who have made significant impacts.
“In the past four years, the winners included Alhaji Abdul Rabiu, Man of the Year 2023; His Excellency, Peter Obi, 2022; Obi Cubana, 2021 and Dr Godwin Maduka, 2020.
“Also, Woman of the Year were Prof Nnenna Oti, 2023, Dr Betta Edu, 2022 Mrs Judith Amaechi, 2021 and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, 2022.
“Significantly, these individuals have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.
“Mr Udom Emmanuel, and the two other winners are among an esteemed group of 42 accomplished Nigerians who emerged winners of the coveted LEEX awards.
“Hence, Mr Emmanuel and others will be presented with the awards at the upcoming 6th edition of the awards ceremony which honours exceptional leaders and change-makers in various fields.
“The highly coveted award, endorsed by the African Union and the African Film Institute, will be presented at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Banquet Hall, Abuja in a grand ceremony on November 2, 2024.”
