By Ogeyi Ebinyi
The annual Champion Newspapers Awards held on Saturday in Lagos brought together political leaders and stakeholders, with Senator Onyeka Peter Nwebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, receiving the Administrator of the Year 2025 award.
Speaking on the red carpet, the lawmaker representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District said the recognition would spur him to do more for his constituents. He emphasised that passion for the people drives effective representation.
“When we came on board, we said that even if only one naira is marked out for road projects, whatever we do must last decades to come,” Nwebonyi said.
The senator, who runs on the slogan “leadership is all about accepting the burdens of the people,” argued that any leader who sees public office as an opportunity for self-enrichment fails the electorate.
In the past six months alone, Nwebonyi disclosed that he has distributed over 100 motorcycles to constituents and paid school fees for 200 students. He also highlighted his annual farmers’ empowerment programme in Ebonyi North, which supports between 6,000 and 8,000 farmers yearly with fertiliser inputs.
“Many of them are now millionaires through improved farming systems,” he claimed.
The senator further stated that he has provided over 1,000 tricycles and 50 mini-buses to beneficiaries. His office is currently building and furnishing houses for widows, complete with borehole water supply, and providing each with N1 million startup capital.
“These widows can now train their children, because education is power,” Nwebonyi said, adding that over 5,000 students benefit from his scholarship schemes. He noted that 15 medical doctors recently graduated under his sponsorship from EFUNA, a federal university, with beneficiaries coming from as far as Ogun State.
Hon. Nwoba Onyekachi, Chairman Coordinator Forum Ebonyi State and former Special Adviser on Security to ex-Governor Dave Umahi, expressed satisfaction with the senator’s representation.
“From the moment we voted for him, we knew his capacity. Today, we are enjoying him because he has done for us what we wanted,” Onyekachi said. “We wish him 4+4—eight years, so he can render more dividends of democracy to our people.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Barr Jesse Okey Onuakalusi, Member of the House of Representatives representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency, noted that external validation through awards serves as encouragement for public officials.
“When different people assess you and give you a pass mark, it spurs you to do more,” Onuakalusi said, recounting his own achievements in motions, petitions, and constituency projects since his inauguration.
Onuakalusi, who identifies as both a lawyer and literary artist, called on the creative industry to document events like the awards ceremony through films and content creation. He offered legislative assistance to address legal challenges facing the creative sector.
Turning to the 2027 general elections, the lawmaker urged citizens to prepare to vote for competent leaders, noting that “bad leaders shall be voted out of office.”
The Champion Newspapers Awards 2025 was chaired by Senator Gbenga Daniel, with Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu serving as Chief Host.
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