– How An Unflagging Spirit, Sterling Stewardship, Earned Him Silverbird’s Man Of The Year
– Ogun Governor Beat Others to The Award
Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of gubernatorial excellence. This is the richest gem in the diadem of Dapo Abiodun as he receives the 2023 Silverbird ‘Man of the Year’ award.
As he mounted the podium to receive the prestigious award, the Ogun State governor shined brilliantly in his peculiar gait, even as the hall reverberated with spoken and unspoken testaments to his fabled virtuosity.
At the official presentation of the award on March 3, 2024, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Abiodun stood ensconced in the applause and admiration of the gallery, his citation weaving brilliant plumes of his competence and productivity in public governance.
The narrative of his genius drifted and flitted through the air with an infectious peal, captivating the audience. Looking resplendent in his customary native ensemble, Governor Abiodun cut the perfect picture of a statesman whose conscientiousness passionately bloomed through his candour.
There is no gainsaying Governor Abiodun stood garlanded in good repute, striking the pose of a titan clothed in unabashed humility and shining armour.
Echoes of his attainments within his short spell as a public administrator cum Executive Governor of Ogun State thundered through the hall, elocuting his most inspiring deeds, his enduring character, administrative excellence, and courageous disposition to governance that makes plenitude ring like golden spurs.
Prince Abiodun emerged the 2023 Silverbird Man of the Year award, beating four other nominees after a rigorous voting process.
A statement signed by Jacob Akinyemi-Johnson, Chief Creative Officer/Chairman Editorial Board of Silverbird Group, revealed that Governor Abiodun won over 70 percent of the votes sent in by Nigerians.
Akinyemi-Johnson said, “We are once again congratulating you on your emergence as the Silverbird Man of the Year, 2023.
“We make bold to inform you that you secured over 70% of the votes sent in by the Nigerian people due to the fantastic job you are doing as the Governor of the Gateway State.”
In an earlier letter in December 2023, the management of Silverbird said Governor Abiodun was nominated as one of the four to jostle for the award because he has contributed immensely to the advancement of Nigerian society through his many laudable projects since he assumed office.
“We feel deeply honoured to write and felicitate with you for being nominated by the Editorial Board of the Silverbird Group, owners of Silverbird Television and the Rhythm FM Network as one of the four distinguished individuals for the prestigious ‘2023 Silverbird Man Of The Year Award.’
“You were nominated because of the immense contributions you have made towards the advancement of the Nigerian society through laudable projects and schemes that you have embarked on and have subsequently impacted positively on the lives of Nigerians.
“Your exemplary disposition has also not gone unnoticed. The winner will be chosen by Nigerians who will vote by sms, WhatsApp and online.”
There is no gainsaying Abiodun is deserving of the award. Bathed in the soft glow of his feats, he imbues public governance with pearly patina and panache.
It would be recalled that, on account of his excellence in public governance, the Ogun governor was also recently pronounced as the Governor of the Year at The Sun Awards 2023.
A statement released by the newspaper’s awards committee revealed that Abiodun earned the honour due to his capacity to effect consolidation in his state. There is no gainsaying Ogun State has witnessed unprecedented development since Governor Abiodun assumed office at the State House in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the state’s capital.
There is no gainsaying the Silverbird Awards have become phenomenal within Nigeria and beyond because of the thorough screening process the winners are subjected to before they are chosen.
The Ogun governor is widely adjudged to be a worthy recipient of the award. And the reasons are not far-fetched.
Amid the desolateness and decline triggered by institutional failure and misgovernance, to mention a few, Governor Abiodun is a welcome deviation from the norm of predators prowling public offices. Every day, he leads with his values and vision, his knowledge, and strategic thinking—always putting the citizenry over politics. Governor Abiodun flaunts an incomparable capacity to experiment with capital and human resources, materials, mediums, and processes.
The breathtaking combination of experimental rigour and inspired vision turns his oft-visionary dreams into remarkable projects. Thanks to Abiodun, the melody of efficient governance once again resonates across the nooks and crannies of Ogun State. If his exploits during his first term are worthy of applause, his performance during the first few months of his second term further establishes him as a symbol of hope and inspiration.
Governor Abiodun was nominated for his remarkable achievements in infrastructure development, including a cargo Airport and his commitment to an eco-friendly future, particularly through his emphasis on clean energy solutions.
The Silverbird Man of the Year Award was instituted 18 years ago to recognise individuals who have positively impacted the lives of Nigerians in their chosen careers. Some of the past winners of the Silverbird Man of the Year Award, include late Professor Dora Akunyili, Sanusi Lamido, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Adams Oshiomhole, Godswill Akpabio, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Doctor Mike Adenuga, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Babatunde Fashola. Others are Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Okowa, Willy Obiano, and Seyi Makinde.
Indeed, it’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world but Governor Abiodun achieves this with unusual flair. The Ogun governor commits to his task as his domain’s Number 1 citizen, armed with genius and an ebullient desire to serve.
He pursues the collective good knowing that the most tragic thing in the world is for a man of genius to suffer a lack of honour. Abiodun, however, is both a man of genius and a man of honour. His renown sprouts where dishonour declines, and his legend flowers on the stem of his innate gifts. Aside from his administrative depth, he understands, for instance, how men in exile feed on dreams of hope.
Thus his determination to make no fugitive of the citizenry in Ogun State. Little wonder his discipline and devotion attract a flurry of laurels and commendation.
