• Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh (right), presenting letter nominating Founder and President, Masters Energy Group, Dr. Uche Ogah as winner of The Sun Industrialist of the Year Award 2023 in Lagos
Founder and President, Masters Energy Group, Dr. Uche Ogah, has said that his emergence as winner of The Sun Industrialist of the Year Award will motivate him to invest more towards the development of the industrial sector and the Nigerian economy.
He commended The Sun for its professionalism and commitment to encourage Nigerians who are doing much to create jobs and boost socio-economic development.
Ogah, a former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, will receive The Sun Industrialist of the Year Award alongside 33 others who emerged winners in different categories on February 17, 2024 in Lagos.
Speaking when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, presented to him a letter of his nomination in Lagos, Ogah expressed happiness for his recognition
He said: “We have no other country than Nigeria; we are committed to the future of this country and we are committed in growing the economy of this country from the local government to state and national levels.”
While explaining why Ogah was chosen by The Sun Board of Editors, Ukeh noted that the business mogul had engaged in industrial revolution with his manufacturing outfits in Uturu, Abia State, Ogun State and Lagos State.
He said: “A tour of your Industrial City located in your village, Onuaku-Uturu, in Isiukwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, leaves one confounded. With industries manufacturing different things, you have proved that what Nigeria needs is to become a producing country for its economy to grow better.
“We have observed a steady growth of your Masters Energy Group, with about 30 subsidiaries, and each of them engaged in the production of different brands of goods. It may therefore, not be out of place to say that Masters Energy Group is Jack of All Trades and Master of All.
“You have also invested in energy, gas, noodles and food processing, lubricants, biscuits, PVC pipes, cartons, aluminum, metering plant and a plastic unit where water tanks, chairs, plates and several others are produced under the industrial city, with other subsidiaries like detergent and fertilizer in the pipeline.
“We are not surprised that you have also ventured into vehicle assembly plant which is involved in assembling both light and heavy duty vehicles. There is also the Masters Tricycle which you have started assembling.”
The Sun MD pointed out that the business acumen, which Ogah has exhibited in managing his investments, earned him not just a ministerial appointment in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration but also a national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
Other people receiving The Sun Awards along Ogah are: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings; and Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Innoson Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Limited (Man of the Year); Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State (Governor of the Year); Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Prof. Awa Kalu, and Rev. Uma Ukpai (Lifetime Achievement Award); HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife and HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri, (Most Impactful Royal Father).
Others are Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara State governor and Founder, Ajike People Support Centre (First Lady of the Year); Mr. Peter Obi (Political Icon of the Year); Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, Chairman/CEO, Richland Property and Homes Limited, Lagos; Chief Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze), Chairman, Diamond Leeds Ltd and Chief Peter Oge Obih, Chairman, Sea Map Group of Companies (Businessman of the Year); High Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, Chairman, Pinnatech Engineering Nigeria Limited; Dr. Oludare Akande, Chairman, Bellagio Airlines Limited and Dr. Jayne Onwumere, MD, Property World Africa Network (PWAN) Group (Investor of the Year); Chief Celestine Ebubeogu, Chairman, Tiger Foods and Chief James Uzuh, Chairman, J_Jumac Industries Ltd (Industrialist of the Year); Chief Ikenna Okafor, Chairman, Keves Global Leasing Ltd; Lady Adaora Umeoji, DMD, Zenith Bank Plc and Archbishop Dr. Emeka Agwu, President, Voice of Evangelism International Houston, Texas, USA (Humanitarian Service Icon); and Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chairman, Tantita Security Services (Courage in Leadership Award).
Other award winners are, Mr. Robert Azibaola, Founder; Zeetin Engineering Limited; Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Mr. Charles Odii, DG, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) (Public Service Award); Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO, Wema Bank and Mr. Femi Bakre, Managing Director, Parallex Bank (Banker of the Year); Bukola Olopade, MD/CEO, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd. (Sport Personality of the Year); Lady Ngozi Ezeonu and Tobi Bakre (Nollywood Icon of the Year).