Naijahottestgist Unveils Man of the Year, Company of the Year, Young Person of the Year, and Public Servant of the Year!

In a year filled with trials and triumphs, these individuals and organizations have risen above challenges to embody resilience, innovation, and exceptional leadership. From the unbreakable spirit of the Man of the Year to the groundbreaking strides of Dangote Refinery, the transformative efforts of Stella Okotete, and the impactful reforms led by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, these stories inspire hope and progress for a brighter Nigeria.

1. Meet the Man of the Year

The Man of the Year is no ordinary person. He’s a Nigerian who has lived through the realities of 2024—one of the toughest years yet.

He is the man who has endured the hardship of a nation in flux. From waking up each day to face the high cost of fuel to navigating skyrocketing food prices, he’s felt the weight of every naira spent. Insecurity loomed over his daily life, yet he carried on with courage, protecting what mattered most.

Through it all, this man refused to break. His resilience, grit, and determination to keep moving forward in the face of overwhelming odds set him apart. He is not celebrated for wealth or fame but for his strength, perseverance, and the hope he carries in his heart for a better tomorrow.

The Man of the Year is a symbol of every Nigerian who has faced the same struggles, stood firm, and chosen to believe in a brighter future. His story is your story—one of survival, strength, and the unbreakable spirit of Naija.

Here’s to the Man of the Year. He is proof that no matter how hard the times, resilience will always shine through.

2. Young Person of the Year: Stella Erhuwuoghene Okotete

Stella Okotete, Executive Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), stands out as a trailblazer promoting youth and women’s participation in business, governance, and politics. A visionary leader, she spearheads innovative initiatives at NEXIM, including the Women and Youth Export Development Facility, which provides low-interest loans, and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank Academy (NEXA), a certified digital platform for export-import education.

With degrees from Benson Idahosa University and NOUN, alongside certifications from global institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, and Columbia Business School, Okotete has held significant political roles, including secretary of the APC Election Planning and Monitoring Committee in 2023. Her contributions to public service include serving as Special Assistant on MDGs for Delta State, where she aligned policies with sustainable development goals and implemented impactful programs in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.

As co-founder of the E’Girls Foundation, she has championed girl-child rights and human capacity development since 2000. Her work has also led to groundbreaking efforts like outlawing female circumcision in Ughelli North and driving school enrollment through the “War Against Loitering and Hawking During School Hours” initiative.

Committed to empowering women in governance, she developed a strategy to train 20 million women for public office and conceptualized the Progressive Women Trust Fund, fostering financial support for female leaders. Okotete’s relentless dedication to service, innovation, and empowerment makes her a standout leader transforming Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.

3. Nigerian company of the year

Dangote Refinery

The Dangote Refinery is a game-changer for Nigeria’s oil industry. Located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos, it’s the largest single-train refinery in the world, with a capacity to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day.¹ ²

This massive project, worth over $19 billion, is expected to meet 100% of Nigeria’s oil needs and even have a surplus for export. The refinery will produce various petroleum products, including diesel, kerosene, and gasoline.

Some impressive features of the Dangote Refinery include:

– *Pipeline Infrastructure*: The largest sub-sea pipeline infrastructure in the world, spanning 1,100 kilometers.

– *Power Generation*: A 435MW Power Plant that can meet the total power requirement of Ibadan DisCo.

– *Job Creation*: The refinery is expected to provide 135,000 permanent jobs in the region.

The refinery began production in January 2024, starting with diesel fuel and aviation fuel. With its advanced technology and massive capacity, the Dangote Refinery is set to revolutionize Nigeria’s oil industry and boost the country’s economy.

4. Nigerian public servant of the year

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior in Nigeria, has indeed been associated with efforts to bring about positive change and reform in the country.

Some of the key areas where Tunji-Ojo has been instrumental in driving reform include:

1. *Prison Reform*: Tunji-Ojo has been advocating for prison reform, aiming to improve the living conditions and rehabilitation programs for inmates.

2. *Immigration Reform*: He has been working to modernize Nigeria’s immigration system, making it more efficient and effective in managing the country’s borders.

3. *Disaster Management*: Tunji-Ojo has been instrumental in strengthening Nigeria’s disaster management capabilities, ensuring that the country is better prepared to respond to natural disasters and emergencies.

4. *Internal Security*: He has been working to enhance internal security in Nigeria, focusing on community policing and intelligence-driven law enforcement.

These efforts demonstrate Tunji-Ojo’s commitment to driving positive change and reform in Nigeria, particularly in the areas of justice, security, and humanitarian response.

The Chairman, IBD Impex Ltd, Chief Ibrahim Egungbohun (IBD Dende) has expressed his willingness to be supportive to the uplifting spirit of the members of Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) for the Association’s caring disposition towards journalists’ widows and orphans, as well as veterans who were indisposed or facing serious financial challenge.

Moved by NASRE’s sincerity of purpose, Chief Ibrahim Egungbohun has charged Nigerians home and abroad not to relent in their acts of being their brother’s keepers.

Chief Egungbohun issued the words of encouragement while hosting the Executive members of NASRE at his Ilaro office during the last few hours of year 2024.

“I feel for our loving media people who are in need of our show of love. I am imploring fellow Nigerians, in any positive way possible, to rise to the occasion, because we have got to uplift each other as our brother’s keepers.

“Journalists, as the fourth estate, must continue to function effectively for us to have a developmental and beneficial democracy.

“As such, journalists’ individual wellbeing and welfare should be our collective priority.

“As a devout Muslim, I believed strongly that Allah has created us for each other regardless of religious affiliations or status in this part of the entire planet.

“Where lies the true happiness when people around you are not happy? I still hold the fact that doing uplift is not always having much to do with giving of money, rather it is making ourselves available to other people in their trying times.

“As you continue in your good work, NASRE, always count on me for my widow’s myth”, Chief Ibrahim Egungbohun assured NASRE.

Lagos State, Nigeria’s bustling economic powerhouse, has long grappled with complex environmental challenges. From waste management and flooding to pollution and urban sprawl, the city’s sustainability has often hung in the balance.

However, under the stewardship of Honorable Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos is experiencing a remarkable transformation.

Since his appointment in September 2023, Wahab has emerged as a dynamic and visionary leader, implementing groundbreaking policies and projects to address the state’s environmental issues.

His hands-on approach, strategic foresight, and commitment to community engagement have set Lagos on a path toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

Waste management has been a perennial problem in Lagos, but Wahab’s innovative “Waste-to-Wealth” program is changing the narrative. By establishing modern recycling plants, the program transforms the city’s daily waste into valuable resources such as compost, energy, and recyclable materials. This initiative not only reduces waste but also creates economic opportunities by integrating informal waste pickers into the formal economy.

In a further bold move, Wahab introduced a ban on single-use plastics, set to take full effect this January 2025. To support this transition, his ministry has launched extensive public education campaigns, encouraging residents and businesses to adopt sustainable alternatives and rethink their reliance on plastics.

Flooding, a significant threat to Lagosians, has received Wahab’s focused attention. His administration has undertaken proactive measures, including clearing major drainage systems in flood-prone areas such as the Lord Chosen Canal and Orchid Corridor.

These efforts have not only alleviated immediate flooding risks but also laid the groundwork for long-term resilience against climate-related challenges.

Recognizing the importance of nature in urban living, Wahab has prioritized the restoration and expansion of Lagos’ green spaces. Through the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), his administration has launched tree-planting campaigns and rehabilitated parks, improving air quality and providing recreational areas for residents. These efforts underscore his belief that a vibrant city must balance urban development with ecological preservation.

Wahab has made environmental law enforcement a cornerstone of his tenure. Crackdowns on noise pollution, illegal dumping, and sanitation violations have brought much-needed relief to Lagosians. By holding offenders accountable, he is fostering a culture of compliance that ensures a healthier and more livable city for all.

One of Wahab’s most significant accomplishments is securing international support for Lagos’ environmental goals. A €120 million partnership with the Dutch government will establish a waste-to-energy facility capable of processing 2,500 to 3,000 tons of waste daily.

This project promises to not only reduce the city’s waste burden but also contribute to its energy needs, demonstrating Wahab’s ability to align local challenges with global solutions.

Honorable Tokunbo Wahab’s leadership is reshaping Lagos’ environmental landscape. From waste-to-wealth programs and flood mitigation to enforcing laws and restoring green spaces, his initiatives address the city’s immediate concerns while laying a foundation for long-term sustainability. His tenure is a testament to the power of visionary governance.

As Lagosians witness the tangible benefits of his efforts, Wahab continues to inspire hope and action, proving that with purposeful leadership, a cleaner, greener Lagos is not just an aspiration but an achievable reality.

This article celebrates Tokunbo Wahab’s achievements and invites every Lagosian to join in building a sustainable future for the city they call home.