Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday bagged the Governor of the Year 2025 Award from Leadership Newspapers Limited in recognition of his outstanding contributions to infrastructure development and inclusive governance in Delta State.
The award was presented at the 18th Leadership Annual Conference and Awards held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Governor Oborevwori was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme. The conference was themed: “Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an Increasingly Unstable Global System: A Roadmap for Nigeria.”
According to Leadership Newspapers, Oborevwori earned the honour for translating his MORE Agenda into widespread infrastructure renewal and social investment across the state.
The organisation noted that hundreds of road projects and landmark flyovers have improved mobility and boosted commerce across the three senatorial districts.
It also cited interventions in education through school rehabilitation, recruitment of workers and sustained bursary schemes, alongside improvements in healthcare infrastructure and expanded health insurance coverage.
The award organisers further highlighted the administration’s empowerment programmes, which have supported hundreds of thousands of citizens, as well as its fiscal discipline and early implementation of the new minimum wage.
These, they said, reflect a governance model that balances compassion with responsibility while promoting equity, consistency and long-term stability anchored on fiscal prudence.
Governor Oborevwori was honoured alongside Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) and Uba Sani (Kaduna), while Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was named Person of the Year 2025.
Speaking with journalists after receiving the award on behalf of the governor, Sir Onyeme expressed gratitude to the people of Delta State for their unwavering support.
“I thank Deltans for the huge support they have been giving to this administration. It is because of their support that we have been able to achieve all we have achieved. I thank God that our efforts are being recognised across the nation,” he said.
He listed numerous road projects, bridges, market development initiatives, healthcare interventions and investments in education, including Delta State’s four state-owned universities, as evidence of the administration’s commitment to development.
According to him, the recognition serves as an encouragement for the government to do more in delivering dividends of democracy.
Chairman of the occasion and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, delivered a thought-provoking address framing the lecture within the urgent realities confronting Africa and the global community.
In her welcome address, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Leadership Newspapers, Mrs. Zainab Nda-Isaiah, said the conference was designed to promote meaningful dialogue and celebrate Nigerians making significant impact in service to the nation.
She noted that the awards recognise innovation, commitment and consistent service.
