As part of activities to mark the centenary celebration of The Daily Times, the newspaper is set to honour Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour at the DTN at 100 Times Heroes Awards. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Bolaji Okusaga, Chairman, DTN at 100 Heroes Awards Council, described the... The post DTN @100: Times Heroes Awards To Honour Tinubu, Jonathan, Obasanjo, Others appeared first on New Telegraph .
As part of activities to mark the centenary celebration of The Daily Times, the newspaper is set to honour Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour at the DTN at 100 Times Heroes Awards.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Bolaji Okusaga, Chairman, DTN at 100 Heroes Awards Council, described the award as a deliberate effort to preserve national memory and celebrate the individuals and institutions whose leadership, courage, enterprise, public service and innovation have contributed meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
He noted that the awards ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the THISDAY Dome, Abuja.
According to Okusaga, a major highlight of the centenary programme will be the unveiling and launch of the Nigerian Centenary Book of Changemakers – Magnum Opus, a landmark commemorative publication designed to celebrate and preserve the stories, achievements and contributions of distinguished Nigerians and institutions whose impact has helped shape the country.
“These are not simply awards for prominence. They are recognitions of impact. They speak to what individuals and institutions have contributed to the growth, resilience and transformation of Nigeria and, in several cases, to Africa and the wider global community,” he said.
In his speech, the Organising Secretary, Daily Times at 100 Award Council, Feyi Smith, described The Daily Times as an institution and a long story that has survived because of the foresight of its managers.
“Daily Times is not just Daily Times. Daily Times is an institution, and a lot of people made it what it became. From June 1926 till this year, it was 100 years in June, but we felt that we needed time for planning. That’s why we waited till this time. Daily Times is a long story. A lot of people brought it to the point it is. You cannot keep on printing without looking at the other side of the business. If Daily Times had not done what it had done, it wouldn’t have lasted 100 years. Daily Times diversified into many things: property, stock exchange. The Stock Exchange building on Marina was Daily Times property.”
According to Okusaga, a defining feature of the DTN at 100 celebration will be the presentation of Prestige Honours to a distinguished group of Nigerians whose lives, careers and contributions occupy an important place in the nation’s history.
The Prestige Honours include His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; His Excellency, Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Also receiving Prestige Honours are Ambassador Dele Cole, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and Nigerian Ambassador; Aremo Segun Osoba, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and former Governor of Ogun State; Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and Director, Tanus Communications Limited; Chief Tola Adeniyi, former Chairman/Chief Executive of The Daily Times and author; Mr. Onyema Ugochukwu, former Editor of The Daily Times and pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission; Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, former Editor of The Daily Times and founder of The Vanguard Newspaper; and Chief Mrs. Grace Oyelude, the first Miss Nigeria, crowned in 1957.
Other major honourees include Senator George Akume, CON, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who will receive the Public Impact Person of the Decade Award; His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, the Ooni of Ife, who will receive the Community Impact Award; and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, Founder of the Dangote Group, who will be recognised as Business Icon of the Century.
In the legislative and public policy space, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, CFR, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, will receive the Lawmaker of the Year Award for the House of Representatives, while Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, will receive the Lawmaker of the Year Award for the Senate.
Mr Zacch Adedeji, Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Revenue Service, will receive the Government Agency of the Year Award, while Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, will be honoured as Minister of the Decade. Alhaji Bashir A. Adeniyi, MFR, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, will receive the Public Officer of the Year Award.
The Awards Council will also recognise governors across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, South South Award; Mr Peter Ndubisi Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, South East Award; Dr. Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, North West Award; Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, CON, Governor of Lagos State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, South West Award; Dr. Agbu Kefas, Governor of Taraba State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, North East Award; while Engr. Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, North Central Award.
