The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has been honoured as the Blueprint Newspaper Person of the Year.
Yilwatda received the prestigious award alongside 23 other distinguished individuals and organisations at the 8th Edition of the Blueprint Newspaper Annual Public Lecture and Awards held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Yilwatda expressed gratitude to God and the management of Blueprint Newspaper for the recognition, describing the honour as both a privilege and a renewed responsibility.
He said the recognition was not the achievement of one individual, but the product of the contributions, sacrifices and support of many people working to advance the country.
“To be named the Blueprint Person of the Year, the high distinction of this important gathering, is an honour that I accept with immense gratitude,” he said.
The APC chairman noted that the 23 other award recipients represented different sectors of national development, including administration, security and other areas of public service.
According to him, their collective recognition symbolises the capacity of Nigerians from different backgrounds to work together towards building a better country.
Quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela, Yilwatda said what ultimately matters is not merely that a person’s life has been touched, but the difference made in the lives of others.
He urged his fellow awardees to see the honour as a call to greater service, stressing that the true measure of their impact would be determined by their actions after the ceremony.
“May this honour inspire us to build stronger institutions, pursue results larger than publicity, and place the public good above our personal advantage,” he said.
Yilwatda also appreciated the families, colleagues, supporters and others who contributed to the achievements of the award recipients, noting that many people work behind the scenes without receiving public recognition.
Addressing Nigerians, particularly young people, the APC national chairman urged them not to surrender the country to despair despite its challenges.
“Do not surrender our country to despair. Nigeria may be facing some difficulties, but they are not beyond our reach of our collective resolve. Our challenges may be great, but the Nigerian spirit is greater,” he said.
He called for a Nigeria where young people could pursue their dreams without fear, while differences among citizens would become a source of strength rather than division.
Yilwatda dedicated the Person of the Year award to Nigerians who believe that leadership is service, democracy is a sacred trust, and national unity is a responsibility shared by all citizens.
He said he accepted the award not only with gratitude but with a renewed commitment to national service.
“The greatest recognition is not the award we have received, but the lives that will be improved, and the measure of help we can support people from today to build a nation that all of us can be proud of,” he said.
The APC chairman expressed confidence in the Nigerian project, declaring that the best of the country’s story was yet to be seen.