The Convener of the Good Governance Initiative, Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna, has emerged winner of the 2025 Young Icon in Real Estate of the Year at the prestigious Nnewi Heroes Award Ceremony, held on Tuesday, January 6, at the Nnewi Hotel.
The well-deserved victory saw Amb. Ikebunwa outshine top real estate executives, underscoring his remarkable journey, business acumen, and outstanding contributions to the real estate sector. The award recognizes his ability to build a thriving enterprise from the ground up, culminating in the development of some of the most habitable and well-planned estates across the South East and South South regions of Nigeria.
Amb. Ikebunwa was celebrated alongside other industry leaders who were honoured for excellence, courage, innovation, enterprise, leadership, humanitarian service, security, youth development, and media impact. The 2025 Nnewi Heroes Awards, proudly sponsored by Thrivewave Mega Solar, went beyond mere recognition, standing as a powerful statement of capacity, vision, competence, and leadership.
The ceremony featured an impressive lineup of award recipients, including Authority Radio and Television Nnewi (91.9FM) as Radio Station of the Year; Hon. Echezona Anazodo, Executive Chairman of Nnewi North LGA, who won Young Icon in Youth Leadership Development of the Year; and Emmachuks Travels and Tours Ltd (popularly known as Njem Rides), which clinched Outstanding Fast-Rising Logistics Company of the Year.
Other notable winners were Caleb Okeke-Enyobi (Nkan’uzu Anaedo) as Media Personality of the Year; The Nnewi Hotel and Events Centre Limited as Hospitality Brand of the Year; and PWAN Palms Realties Ltd, led by Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna, which secured the Young Icon in Real Estate of the Year award.
Posthumous honours were also bestowed on Gallant Commander Chieloka Ubajekwe, who received the Nnewi Security Personality of All Times award for his ultimate sacrifice in protecting his people. Mr. Chinedu Jude Okwuosa, CEO of St. Jude Care Foundation, won Young Grassroots Empowerment of the Year, while Chief Sir Robert O. Anwatu, Chairman/CEO of Roban Stores, was named Entrepreneur of the Year.
Additional awardees included Stella Brand as Emerging Brand in Fragrance and Household Perfume; Chukwumuanya Nwafororizu as Emerging Young Innovator of the Year; GIFIC Printing Solutions Ltd as Outstanding Print Media of the Year; IBETO Seaport and Terminal as Brand of the Year; and Iycon Charity Foundation as Outstanding NGO in Humanitarian Services of the Year. SPL received Outstanding Partners in Solar Innovation of the Year.
Lifetime honours were presented to distinguished personalities such as Dr. Cletus Madubugwu Ibeto, who emerged Personality of the Year; Chief Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, named Outstanding Innovator of All Times; and Hon. Sir Augustine Jideofeor (Augustine Manuel), President of the Nnewi Importers Association, who received Outstanding Market Leader of All Times. Hon. Uchechukwu Anthony Ngonadi, Commander of Udogachi in Nnewi North LGA, was honoured as Security Personality of the Year, among several others.
Speaking after receiving his award, Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna expressed deep appreciation to the organizers for their consistency in recognizing excellence and celebrating outstanding achievers in Nnewi. He reaffirmed his commitment to continuous improvement, sustaining excellence, and projecting Nnewi positively on both national and global stages.
He further encouraged young people to embrace hard work, pursue gainful employment, and engage in legitimate ventures that promote service to humanity, economic growth, and the enduring positive image of Nnewi.
