Arise News Praises LEADERSHIP Over Choice Of Obaigbena, Rabiu As Persons Of The Year

Arise News has praised LEADERSHIP Newspaper for its choice of Prince Nduka Obaigbena, founder of THISDAY and Arise News, and chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, as its Persons of the Year 2026.

The recognition was highlighted during Arise News’ Morning Show programme in the “Good News” segment, which described the honour as a “double celebration” for two Nigerians who have made significant contributions to different sectors of the economy.

Arise News said Obaigbena was honoured for nearly five decades of transforming Nigeria’s media landscape, recalling that he founded This Week magazine at the age of 27 in 1986 before establishing THISDAY newspaper in 1995.

It also highlighted Obaigbena’s launch of Arise News in 2013 as an international television platform with an African focus, as well as the recent launch of the Leke Leke app, which has recorded more than 100,000 downloads within six months.

According to Arise News, LEADERSHIP described Obaigbena as a man who “built institutions capable of shaping generations” and whose “powerful instinct is the belief that the impossible is sometimes merely the unattempted.”

Arise News also praised LEADERSHIP’s recognition of Rabiu, noting his contribution to Nigeria’s industrial development through the expansion of BUA Group’s manufacturing capacity in cement, sugar, flour and edible oils.

It said Rabiu had continued to expand the group’s operations despite economic challenges, including inflation, currency pressures and rising energy costs.

Arise News further noted that Rabiu committed approximately $85 million to the expansion of BUA’s Port Harcourt terminal, with the investment aimed at boosting industrial activity and creating jobs across communities.

His philanthropic interventions through the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative were also highlighted, particularly in education, healthcare and community development.

Describing the two honourees as influential Nigerians from different sectors, Arise News said, “Two Nigerians, two entirely different industries. Prince Nduka Obiagbena, the audacious media entrepreneur who built institutions that shaped generations and Abdul Samad Rabiu, the industrialist who answered Nigeria’s economic challenges with factories, production lines and jobs.”