By Julius Peter
The National APC chairman,Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has been honoured with the Politician of the Year Award by the Daily Times Newspaper, as the newspaper marked its 100th anniversary of journalism and contributions to national development.
The recognition, presented during the newspaper’s centenary celebration, highlighted Yilwatda’s contributions to public service and his continued engagement in Nigeria’s political and developmental affairs.
The award was described by those close to the minister as more than a ceremonial honour, but a recognition of years of dedication, responsibility and commitment to public service.
Reacting to the recognition, an associate of the APC national chairman said the honour was particularly significant because it acknowledged aspects of Yilwatda’s public life that often remain outside the public view.
According to the associate, the award was a reflection of the dedication, difficult decisions, sacrifices and moments of reflection that have characterised Yilwatda’s journey in public service.
«“This recognition goes beyond the ceremony or the applause. I have had the privilege of seeing the dedication behind the public image, the difficult decisions, the sacrifices and the quiet moments of reflection that often remain unseen.”»
The associate said Yilwatda had consistently approached leadership with the conviction that public office should ultimately be about improving the lives of people and contributing to a larger national purpose.
The recognition comes at a time when discussions around effective leadership, poverty reduction, humanitarian intervention and inclusive development remain central to Nigeria’s national discourse.
The commendation also focused on what was described as Yilwatda’s commitment to service beyond the political offices he has occupied.
According to the statement, the chairman greatest strength lies not necessarily in the positions he holds, but in his willingness to contribute to causes larger than himself.
The associate said the recognition was therefore a source of personal satisfaction, describing it as confirmation of qualities that had been observed over time.
“I am particularly happy because this moment speaks to something I have always known about him: that his greatest strength is not in the positions he occupies, but in his desire to contribute to something bigger than himself,” the statement said.
The associate further urged the chairman to see the award not simply as an achievement, but as an encouragement to remain committed to the responsibilities entrusted to him.
The recognition, the statement added, should inspire Yilwatda to remain focused, humble and dedicated to the people whose confidence and trust give meaning to public office.
“May this recognition encourage him to remain focused, humble and committed to the people whose trust gives meaning to every responsibility he accepts,” the associate said.
The award was presented as part of activities marking the 100th anniversary of the Daily Times Newspaper, one of Nigeria’s historic newspaper institutions.
The centenary celebration provided an opportunity to reflect on the newspaper’s long history and its place in the development of journalism and public discourse in Nigeria.
For a country that has undergone profound political, economic and social changes over the past century, the survival and continued relevance of a newspaper institution across generations represents a significant milestone.
The centenary also underscores the important role newspapers have played in documenting Nigeria’s history, holding public conversations and providing platforms through which citizens, leaders and institutions engage with national issues.
Commending the Daily Times, the statement described its 100 years not merely as an anniversary, but as evidence of endurance and relevance.
“One hundred years is more than an anniversary; it is a testament to endurance, relevance and the power of journalism to preserve the memory of a nation,” the statement said.
The institution was also commended for recognising individuals whose contributions are considered relevant to Nigeria’s development.
The celebration further drew attention to the relationship between journalism and national development.
Over the decades, Nigerian newspapers have served not only as sources of information but also as historical records of the country’s political transitions, economic challenges, social transformations and democratic development.
By documenting events and providing space for competing perspectives, the media has remained an important part of the country’s civic and democratic life.
The Daily Times centenary celebration therefore provided an opportunity to honour the institution’s contribution while also recognising Nigerians who, in different capacities, have contributed to the nation’s development.
The commendation expressed hope that the newspaper would continue to preserve Nigeria’s collective memory and remain relevant to future generations.
The Daily Times was also applauded for using its centenary platform to celebrate individuals making contributions to the country’s progress.
Yilwatda’s recognition also adds another dimension to his public profile, coming after years of involvement in politics, academia and public administration.
His career has straddled professional, academic and political responsibilities, eventually leading to his appointment into the Federal Executive Council.
As formal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, he operates in a sector with some of the most pressing challenges facing the country, including poverty, humanitarian emergencies, social vulnerability and the need to strengthen interventions targeted at vulnerable Nigerians.
The ministry’s responsibilities place considerable emphasis on social protection and humanitarian assistance, making effective leadership and policy implementation critical to its mandate.
Against this background, the Politician of the Year recognition provides an additional public acknowledgment of Yilwatda’s political journey and role in national service.
For supporters and associates of the chairman, however, the significance of the recognition extends beyond the title attached to the award.
It represents an acknowledgment of the personal commitment required to navigate public responsibilities and the sacrifices that accompany political and public service.
The commendation urged Yilwatda to view the honour as a reminder of the expectations that come with leadership and the responsibility to remain focused on the people.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with questions surrounding governance, poverty, humanitarian challenges and economic development, recognition of public officials also brings renewed attention to the standards expected of those entrusted with public responsibilities.
For the chairman ,the Daily Times honour comes with both recognition and renewed expectations.
And for the Daily Times, its centenary provides a moment to look back on a century of journalism while reaffirming the enduring role of the press in documenting Nigeria’s story.
The celebration ultimately brought together two aspects of national life — the contribution of journalism to preserving the country’s history and the responsibility of public leadership to shape its future.
