Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, esteemed award recipients, invited guests, partners, and friends of The Top10 Magazine—good evening.
It is a profound honour to stand before you as Chairman of this landmark occasion, the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Top10 Magazine Man of the Year and Excellence Awards. Tonight, we are not only gathered to celebrate outstanding individuals and organizations; we are here to mark a decade of unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and national progress.
Over the past ten years, The Top10 Magazine has carved a unique space for itself in Nigeria’s media and events landscape. What began as a bold vision has matured into an institution—one that consistently projects excellence, inspires aspiration, and elevates national discourse. This remarkable journey has not been without challenges, especially in a media environment increasingly shaped by the uncontrolled torrents of misinformation and disinformation.
It is therefore fitting that we pause to appreciate the Founder, the Editor-in-Chief, and the entire team at Top10 Magazine for remaining professionally steadfast. In an era where sensationalism often overshadows substance, they have chosen a different path—a path defined by credibility, responsibility, and an unflinching dedication to national values. They have shown that journalism, when anchored on integrity, can still shine brightly amidst the floodwaters of distorted narratives that dominate much of today’s social media space.
Their persistence and courage in upholding these standards deserve not only our applause but also our collective support.
This is why I wish to use this platform tonight to make a special call to the Nigerian government, at federal and state levels, as well as its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. If we genuinely desire a nation built on shared values, informed citizenship, and national cohesion, then we must deliberately patronise and support media platforms that uphold professionalism and national interest. Magazines such as this—rooted in integrity and committed to showcasing positive role models—must be seen not as private ventures struggling on their own, but as essential partners in nation-building.
Distinguished guests, the men and women we honour tonight embody the excellence we aspire to as a nation. Their achievements remind us of what is possible when passion meets discipline, when vision meets hard work, and when opportunity meets character. The inclusion of the Woman of the Year category further reflects the Magazine’s commitment to representing the full breadth of Nigeria’s excellence.
As we celebrate the past decade, let us also look toward the future with renewed hope. May the stories shared tonight ignite inspiration in our young people, strengthen our institutions, and contribute to a Nigeria where excellence is not the exception but the norm.
On this special 10th anniversary, I congratulate all the awardees. I commend the entire Top10 Magazine team for sustaining this noble tradition. And I thank every one of you here for being part of this celebration of vision, leadership, and national pride.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you, and I wish us all a memorable evening.
Prof. Ode Ojowu was chief Economic Adviser to former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
