Senator Dave Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, has been named the 2024 Igbo Man of the Year by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group.
Umahi, who served as governor of Ebonyi State for eight years before defecting to the All Progressives Congress, emerged victorious after surpassing prominent figures such as former presidential candidate Peter Obi, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
In a statement released on Sunday, Ohanaeze Ndigbo highlighted Umahi’s exceptional performance as Minister of Works. The group praised his efforts in rehabilitating critical federal roads in the Southeast, using innovative cement technology, and creating sustainable job opportunities.
Additionally, Umahi’s diplomatic skills were recognized for maintaining a strong relationship between the Southeast and the Federal Government, helping prevent regional disruptions during national protests.
The selection process for the award was based on the group’s newly developed “Igbo Performance Perimeters and Indexes,” which thoroughly evaluated the leaders’ contributions to the region. While many leaders were acknowledged for their accomplishments, Umahi’s performance in infrastructure development and regional advocacy stood out.
In recognition of other achievements, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu was named the second-best performer among National Assembly members. Governors Peter Mba of Enugu and Francis Nwaifuru of Ebonyi were also celebrated for promoting local government autonomy and ensuring transparency in governance.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphasized that the award serves as a testament to the power of purposeful leadership and urged all leaders to follow Umahi’s example of commitment to progress, both for the Southeast and Nigeria as a whole.