Sun Newspapers Names Barr. Success Akagburuonye 2025 Humanitarian Service Icon for Nationwide Impact

Barrister Success Obioma Akagburuonye has been named the Sun Newspapers 2025 Humanitarian Service Icon Award winner following a competitive national nomination process, the management of Sun Publishing Limited has announced.

The Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of Sun Publishing Limited, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, disclosed the decision on Monday during a visit by top executives of the organisation to Akagburuonye’s ancestral home in Ogbor Uvuru, an ancient autonomous community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.

Leading the delegation alongside senior editors Chidi Nnadi, Ugonna Anaejionu and Stanley Uzoaru, Ukeh formally presented a nomination letter dated January 26, 2026, confirming Akagburuonye as the recipient of the prestigious humanitarian honour.

According to Sun Newspapers, the award followed a rigorous screening process that assessed nominees’ social impact, consistency and national reach. The media organisation described Akagburuonye as a multifaceted professional whose influence spans law, engineering, entrepreneurship, estate development, politics and community leadership.

Reacting to the recognition, Akagburuonye expressed gratitude to the management and editorial board of Sun Newspapers, describing the honour as a call to deeper service. He dedicated the award to God and said it would further inspire his commitment to humanity. He also confirmed he would attend the award ceremony with family members, friends, associates and supporters.

Sun Newspapers highlighted several initiatives credited to Akagburuonye, including his Hope Rising for Imolites Foundation, through which he partnered with the Imo State Government to provide free medical services to residents via the Imo State Health Insurance Agency.

The organisation also cited his Akaraugo Annual Football Competition, which promotes grassroots sports development and talent discovery, as well as the Bro Success Bible Quiz and Choral Competition, which has provided scholarships and encouraged academic excellence among young people.

Akagburuonye’s legal advocacy was equally recognised, particularly his landmark case, Engr. Success Obioma vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, which challenged stringent bail conditions. Sun Newspapers noted that the judgement has since been referenced in cases that led to the release of many inmates awaiting trial, contributing to the decongestion of correctional centres across Nigeria.

Further commendations included his role in building and furnishing more than 100 homes for indigent families, offering capacity-building and employment opportunities to graduates across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, and awarding over 1,000 educational scholarships.

Sun Newspapers also acknowledged infrastructural projects credited to the philanthropist, such as the construction of an ultra-modern Civil Defence Secretariat now serving as the Mbaise Area Command, a 3,000-capacity Noah Ark church, a 2,000-capacity mini stadium for his alma mater, and an ongoing five-kilometre asphalt road project in his community.

The Board of Editors said these contributions informed its unanimous decision to honour Akagburuonye with the Sun Humanitarian Service Icon Award, an accolade reserved for individuals who have deployed personal and public resources to create measurable social impact.