The Managing Director/CEO of Blueprint Newspapers Ltd, Malam Salisu Umar, has charged recipients of the 2025 Blueprint Newspapers Awards to see the recognition as an impetus to do more in their respective endeavours for the development of the country.

Umar gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2025 edition of the Blueprint Newspapers Annual Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards Ceremony held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

Among the recipients of the awards are the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas; Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi; and Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

Other awardees include former Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar; former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Hon. James Faleke; and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, among others.

Yilwatda named Person of the Year

Umar said the awardees were selected from diverse backgrounds based on their contributions to nation-building and socio-economic development.

He explained that the annual event began in 2018, barely eight years after the establishment of Blueprint Newspapers, with the aim of creating a platform where issues of national interest could be discussed intellectually outside the traditional newspaper space.

He said the event also seeks to honour Nigerians who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in governance, policy clarity and transformational impact across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

According to him, the theme of this year’s lecture, “Security Challenges and Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections,” was carefully chosen to address national safety and contribute to discussions on the country’s lingering security challenges.

The lecture was scheduled to be delivered by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.).

Why Blueprint chose Christopher Musa

Umar said the choice of General Musa as keynote speaker followed a rigorous evaluation by a panel of distinguished scholars and public policy analysts.

He said the panel considered the minister’s experience in military operations, inter-agency collaboration and defence policy.

According to him, Musa was expected to provide informed perspectives on the relationship between national security and the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

He added that the lecture would examine security threats capable of undermining the electoral process, including kidnapping, banditry, violent extremism, cyber threats, misinformation, political violence and attacks on electoral infrastructure and personnel.

Umar names Yilwatda Person of the Year

Umar described APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as the “apotheosis” of this year’s programme and announced him as the Blueprint Newspapers Person of the Year.

He said the category was reserved for eminent Nigerians who had made significant contributions to the country.

According to him, Yilwatda’s leadership of the ruling party over the past year had been marked by an inclusive and result-oriented approach to party administration.

He said the APC chairman had promoted internal cohesion, strengthened party structures, ensured stability and provided leadership across the party’s organs.

Umar said the recognition was therefore justified by Yilwatda’s contribution at what he described as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Umar congratulates award recipients

The Blueprint Newspapers MD/CEO congratulated the award recipients, including those who were physically present and those who sent representatives to receive the honours.

He acknowledged the difficulty involved in selecting the awardees from the wide range of Nigerians making contributions to national development.

“The task of choosing the deserving awardees was a tough one. It was as tough as attempting to find a needle in a haystack,” he said.

Umar said the selection committee ultimately produced a list of deserving recipients from diverse backgrounds whose contributions to nation-building and socio-economic development were worthy of recognition.

“While congratulating you all, it is our hope that the recognition accorded you today will serve as an impetus to do more in your respective endeavours. Once again, on behalf of the Board and Management of Blueprint Group of Newspapers, I congratulate you all,” he said.

Blueprint expands into digital radio

Umar also announced the expansion of Blueprint Newspapers into the digital media space with the launch of Blueprint Radio.

He said the radio station, operating on FM 105.3, debuted in the second quarter of the year and is currently transmitting in the Hausa language.

He said the development followed the newspaper’s progress in the print media and its desire to expand its reach through digital platforms.

Umar commends Blueprint management and awards committee

The Blueprint MD/CEO commended members of his management team for their contributions to the growth and smooth operation of the organisation despite challenges facing the media industry.

He also praised the Blueprint Awards Committee, chaired by Hajia Zainab Suleiman-Okino, for its efforts in organising the event.

Umar said the committee worked tirelessly to package the event and thanked its members for delivering what he described as an epochal programme.

“On behalf of the Board and Management, I must thank you all for a job well done. You have all done the company proud by delivering this outcome,” he said.