As Nigeria marks 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, OrderPaper Nigeria has announced the commencement of the Icons, an initiative for celebrating outstanding national statespersons of the fourth Republic.
“ICONS is a prestigious, legacy-driven programme created to celebrate exceptional individuals whose service in both the legislature and executive arms of government has significantly shaped the country’s governance landscape and democratic trajectory.
“It entails the publication of the Book of Records, a premier legacy publication profiling confirmed ICONS with data-driven documentation of their journeys, legislative contributions, and executive footprints; and a historic digital archive capturing 25 years of impactful governance transitions and democratic service across both arms of government,” a press statement by the publishers of OrderPaper, Nigeria, explained.
According to the statement, “The book of records and digital archive will be presented at an exclusive Award and Gala Night scheduled for August 2025 to celebrate the inductees and their legacies.”
It further noted that, the milestone initiative was a spin-off from a 2024 report by OrderPaper, which focused on political transitions from the legislature to the executive (FLEX), which the policy think tank now styles as the Facility for Legislative Executive Exchange (FLEX).
“The report outlined, among other things, the character and composition of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. It has 22 cabinet members who are former legislators, including the president and vice president, both of whom served in the senate.
“President Tinubu holds the record of transitioning the highest number of politicians from the legislature to the executive in a single administration,” the statement added.
“Dozens of politicians, both current and former officials, have been pre-selected as nominees for the premier edition of the Book of Records, which is billed to be unveiled at a high-profile event in August.
“Top on the list is President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and First Lady Remi Tinubu. Eleven governors also made the list. They are Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state, Bassey Otu of Cross River state, Mohammed Bago of Niger state, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, Douye Diri of Bayelsa state, Hope Uzodimma of Imo state, Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, Uba Sani of Kaduna state, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state, and Monday Okpebholo of Edo state.”
The statement also disclosed that 21 incumbent senators have also been listed; 22 members of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet will be vying for slots in the book of records, the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria; even as some heads of parastatals and board chairs of statutory agencies as well as former senior public officials also made the list.
Speaking on the initiative, Oke Epia, Chief Executive Officer of OrderPaper Nigeria and Convener of the ICONS programme, said: “The ICONS of the Fourth Republic honours the best of the best, leaders whose work has deepened our democratic experience and strengthened national development. These are individuals whose service must not only be celebrated but preserved for future generations.”
He explained that each nominee has been pre-selected through a rigorous, non-partisan, evidence-based vetting process, rooted in OrderPaper’s decade-long commitment to legislative accountability and civic engagement.
“ICONS of the Fourth Republic is more than a celebration, it is a national chronicle of excellence, service, and leadership,” he stressed.