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UBA GMD, 448 others bag CIBN awards

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Lagos, Oct. 22, 2023: The Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Oliver Alawuba, has urged the banking industry to play a vital role in helping to revive the nation’s economy.

Alawuba gave the advice on the sidelines of the 2023 Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Fellowship Investiture on Saturday in Lagos.

The event had: “Harnessing Nigeria’s Economic Potential for Growth and Development: Strategic Imperatives,’’ as its theme.

Alawuba who was among the honorary fellowship awardees at the event noted that the banking sector has been playing a great role in the development of the economy.

“I would like to say that from time immemorial, the banking industry in Nigeria has played a greater role in the development of the economy of this country.

“And I think at a time like this when the economy is still being challenged, the banking industry can work with other stakeholders to ensure that this economy is revived for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“I believe that the banking industry has the expertise, commitment, and the wherewithal to ensure that the economy is reset for greater development.’’

Alawuba also said that Nigerian banks were at the forefront of the initiative of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for economic integration of the country.

“The banking industry is committed. If you know at the Afrexim AGM conference in Accra, two Nigerian banks signed agreements at that event for development of intra-African trade in Africa, and I know another Nigerian bank also signed such an agreement.

“So, Nigerian banks are in the forefront of the initiatives for intra-Africa trade in AfCFTA because we have the strength and we have the breadth.

“UBA for example is a Nigerian bank with presence in 20 African countries; and that alone will facilitate intra-African trade among those countries where we have presence,’’ he said.

Alawuba, however, said that the benefit of the conferment was to encourage professionals to do more for the banking industry and the country.

Earlier, the CIBN President/Chairman of Council, Dr Ken Opara, described the investiture as an annual event of the institute is conferred on deserving member.

“This is an annual event of the Institute, where the prestigious Fellowship status of the Institute is conferred on deserving members who have meritoriously distinguished themselves whilst making notable contributions to the success of the Institute, their respective organisations, the banking industry and the economy at large.

“In the same vein, deserving members are admitted into the Honorary Senior Membership cadre of the Institute,’’ Opara said.

He noted that it was the first time the institute was conferring a posthumous award on an individual.

He said, “The late Prof. Sunday Oladeji, being conferred with this posthumous award, was a very diligent and committed scholar who served meritoriously as an examiner of the Institute for 33 uninterrupted years.

“He passed on to glory on June 12, 2023, shortly after he was recommended by the Board of Fellows and Practice License for the conferment of the award.’’

Opara congratulated all the deserving awardees of the Institute’s Honorary Fellowship, the Elected Fellows and Honorary Senior Members, as well as their families on the noble accomplishment.

He advised them to continue to excel in their various fields of endeavour and continue to fly the CIBN flag in spheres of influence.

About 449 individuals were conferred awards at the event: 20 Honorary Fellows (including one Posthumous Award), 154 Elected Fellows and 275 Honorary Senior Members.

Akinwumi-Adesina

Adesina, others receive diaspora global Icon award

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Abuja, Aug. 1, 2023: The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has been conferred with the prestigious National Diaspora Merit Award by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

In a statement issued by the bank in Abuja, said Adesina was honoured in recognition of his selfless service and contributions as a Nigerian Diaspora Global Icon.

The statement said he was honoured alongside other recipients in the Global Icon category such as the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Receiving the award on behalf of Adesina, the Director-General of AfDB Group Nigeria Country Department, Lamin Barrow expressed gratitude to NIDCOM.

“For the great recognition of president Adesina’s outstanding achievements and contributions to Nigeria and the continent’s development efforts.

“The award will inspire him further to continue his unrelenting efforts for Nigeria and Africa’s transformation,” Barrow said.

He quoted Adesina in a statement as saying,“I thank NIDCOM and I am pleased to accept the award with humility.

“I am deeply touched by this acknowledgement of my modest contributions to finance and economics and my recognition as a role model to other Nigerians in the diaspora.”

Often described as “Africa’s Optimist-in-Chief”, Adesina is widely lauded for his visionary leadership and passion for Africa’s transformation.

His bold reforms as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture turned the sector around in four years, benefiting 15 million farmers through an electronic wallet system.

As AfDB president, Adesina achieved the highest-ever capital increase and led swift responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He has received numerous accolades, including the World Food Prize and African of the Year.

More than 20 other Nigerians in the diaspora, including Emeritus Professor Augustine Esogbue, Professor Mobolaji Aluko and Professor Rotimi Jayesimi, received awards in various categories.

The categories include education, politics, information and communications technology, leadership development, medicine and healthcare, automobile, philanthropy and sports.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the conferment of a National Diaspora Merit Award on Adesina was in recognition of his selfless service.

Dabiri-Erewa said the recognition was also for his contributions as a Nigerian Diaspora Global Icon, adding that NIDCOM appreciated Adesina’s “unflinching love and contributions to national development”.

“This award is predicated upon the importance of recognising and celebrating Nigerians in the diaspora who have excelled in their various fields of endeavour and contributing to the development of Nigeria.

“These exceptional Nigerians have, over time, contributed to making Nigeria a better place in their own capacities.

“It is thus important that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Commission, recognises their remarkable feats,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NIDCOM is an agency under Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for engaging with the Nigerian diaspora community.

The award ceremony took place during the National Diaspora Day 2023 in Abuja and was organised under the theme: “Consolidating Diaspora Engagement for National Development”.

Other guests present at the award included AfDB’s Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, Prof. Kevin Urama, and Dr Adesina’s Adviser on Stakeholder Engagement, Ms Lola Visser-Mabogunje.

Also present were executives and members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) from across the world, senior government, officials, captains of industry and members of the diplomatic community among others.

Dangote wants North to invest more in agriculture

Dangote, others bag Afreximbank’s awards

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Abuja, June 20, 2023: Aliko Dangote, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group has won the Afreximbank Founder of the Year Award at the Pan-African Business and Development Awards.

A statement issued by Brandcomms Agency in Abuja on Tuesday said the inaugural award ceremony was held in Accra, Ghana at the 30th Anniversary of Afreximbank.

The statement said the awards was hosted by Afreximbank in association with the Business Council for Africa (BCA) and organised in collaboration with IC Publications and Brand Communications.

It said Dangote bagged the award in recognition of his extraordinary achievements in building one of Africa’s leading industrial groups with a truly pan-African footprint.

“This comes on the back of the recent official opening of his 19 billion dollar petrochemicals plant and Africa’s largest refinery, which received substantial support from Afreximbank.”

The statement said Ethiopian Airlines, which distributed critical medical equipment and vaccines across the continent during COVID-19 pandemic, won the Pan-African Business of the Year Award.

“Ethiopian Airlines, a profitable and well-run airline that rose to the challenge of COVID-19, working alongside Afreximbank and the Africa Centre for Disease Control to distribute critical medical equipment and vaccines across the continent.”

It said Zimbabwean, Strive Masiyiwa and Togolese, Koffi Gervais Djondo, received Special Recognition awards for their outstanding contribution to the transformation of African business and industry.

“Masiyiwa is the founder of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, which has the

the largest network of fibre optic cables on the continent, Cassava Technologies, and Econet, the largest telecoms and mobile payment operator in Zimbabwe.

“Djondo helped found Ecobank, the leading African group in terms of footprint, as well as regional airline Asky.”

It said MTN and Elsewedy Electrical were recognised for their pan-African achievements while National Bank of Egypt, First Bank of Nigeria, and Coris Bank were recognised for their contribution towards trade finance.

According to the statement, MTN was recognised for transforming the African telecoms sector and ElSewedy for its role in the African infrastructure sector.

“ElSewedy and Afreximbank have built a strong relationship that has seen its group become a true continental champion.

“ElSewedy is also part of a consortium of African banks and private sector companies that are building the multi-billion dollar Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project in Tanzania.”

The statement said eight recognition awards were given to some staff members of Afreximbank to acknowledge their long service at the bank.

It said among them included Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board, Afreximbank, who has been at the bank for over 29 years.

The statement quoted Oramah as saying, “tonight we are recognising so many

outstanding leaders.

“Having joined the Bank in 1994, I have been fortunate to have worked with so many of them, and to have seen them grow. We have supported them during this journey and they have helped make the bank what it is today.

“These are the mutual beneficial partnerships that will help transform the continent we so love.

He said at Afreximbank, contributing to Africa’s development was a lifetime vocation, as he knew it was the same for those that the bank had recognised.

Arnold Ekpe, Chair of the BCA and former Group CEO of Ecobank, said that most times  business leaders do not get the praise they deserve.

“Succeeding in business on the continent is not always easy, but it is rewarding, and more importantly it is possible to build strong, profitable businesses that are globally competitive. Our winners tonight have demonstrated this.”

The statement said the awards were designed to celebrate and recognise the excellence of outstanding organisations and individuals within the African business and finance sectors.

List-Of-Banks-In-Nigeria

African Banker Awards 2023 winners announced

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The African Banker Awards 2023 Gala Ceremony, the most prestigious event in the African banking calendar, took place last night at the Rixos Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

The awards held on the sidelines of the African Development Bank Annual Meetings. The ceremony was attended by over 300 of the continent’s leading bankers, regulators, and policymakers.

Now in its 17th edition, the African Banker Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and institutions that have contributed significantly to the growth and development of Africa’s banking sector over the past year.

Highlights from the ceremony:

Esther Kariuki becomes the second woman to win African Banker of the Year Award

Perhaps one of the most coveted prizes of the evening, the African Banker of the Year prize was awarded to Esther Kariuki, Head of Agriculture Business at the Co-op Bank of Kenya.

Ms Kariuki has been a central figure in advancing agriculture as a key asset class for her institution.

Not only a leader and role model, she was also responsible for considerably increasing lending to the agriculture sector and oversaw the roll-out of the platform Co-op Bank Soko, a digital marketplace that connects the agriculture value chain and ensures, among other things, that small-holder farmers receive a higher price for their produce.

Afreximbank scores a brace at African Banker Awards 2023

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) won two prestigious awards in Sharm El Sheikh, in recognition of its growing leadership within Africa’s financial services sector.

The Cairo-based institution was celebrated as both African Bank of the Year and Development Financial Institution of the Year, making it the sole institution to win more than one award during this year’s ceremony.

Mauritius’ Harvesh Seegolam wins Central Bank Governor of the Year

The youngest ever serving governor of Mauritius Central Bank, Harvesh Kumar Seegolam, took the Central Bank Governor of the Year Award.

Appointed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Seegolam leveraged Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC) to provide critical financial support to key sectors of the economy by investing in private sector operators. Its latest returns report demonstrated that the investments made through the MIC have increased in value, despite the challenging economic conditions faced.

South African banks swept many of the Deal of the Year categories. South Africa’s Enoch Godongwana won the Minister of Finance of the Year Award.

He was recognised for his steadfast management of the economy as finance minister as well as the work he has done to encourage investment to accelerate the energy transition.

The African continent has the highest percentage of women entrepreneurs in the world. Letshego Nigeria took the inaugural AFAWA Bank of the Year Award, a category spotlighting financial institutions empowering female entrepreneurs across the continent.

The Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) is a pan-African initiative to bridge the $42 billion financing gap facing women in Africa.

The African Banker Icon was won by veteran dealmaker Miguel Azevedo, head of investment banking for sub-saharan Africa excluding South Africa at Citi. The lifetime achievement award went to another veteran banker, former Chairman and CEO of CIB Egypt, Egypt’s largest private sector bank.

“This year’s award ceremony is a testament not only to the vibrancy and dynamism of Africa’s banking industry but also its increasing diversity,” said Omar Ben Yedder, Committee Chairman and Group Publisher at IC Publications, publishers of African Banker.

“The financial services industry continues to demonstrate excellence, innovation and impact in their respective markets and regions. FinTech, Climate Finance, Cross-Border payments are all being shaped by the leaders we are recognising today.”

The ceremony is organised by African Banker magazine with the African Development Bank as its High Patron. This year’s AfDB Meetings focused on mobilising private sector finance towards green growth. The 2023 edition was sponsored by the African Guarantee Fund, the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) and Tanzania’s CRDB Bank.

Full list of winners:

Banker of the Year

Ms Esther Kariuki, Co-operative Bank of Kenya

Bank of the Year

Afreximbank

African Banker Icon

Miguel Azevedo, Citi

Lifetime Achievement

Mr. Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, Commercial International Bank

Central Bank Governor of the Year

Harvesh Seegolam, Bank of Mauritius

Minister of Finance of the Year

Hon. Enoch Godongwana, South Africa

Sustainable Bank of the Year

Nedbank, South Africa

DFI of the Year

Afreximbank

Fintech of the Year

MFS Africa

SME Bank of the Year

La Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations – CDC

Deal of the Year – Debt

Harmony Gold Company syndicated multi-tranche, multi-currency, loan facility of US$400m and R4bn – Absa & Nedbank

Deal of the Year – Equity

US$298m Infinity Energy equity investment and Lekela Power acquisition – Africa Finance Corporation

Deal of the Year – Agriculture

US$78m funding facility for the Southern Oil Structured Commodity Finance Transaction – Absa

Deal of the Year – Infrastructure

US$900m debt funding facility for Scatec Solar PV plus Battery Storage Project – Standard Bank

Regional Bank of the Year – North

Bank of Africa

Regional Bank of the Year – Southern

Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco)

Regional Bank of the Year – East

CRDB Bank

Regional Bank of the Year – Central

Trust Merchant Bank

Regional Bank of the Year – West

Vista Bank

AFAWA Bank of the Year Award

Letshego, Nigeria

Shell set to reduce carbon footprint

Shell, Techno Oil, Schlumberger clinch awards

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Two international oil majors, Shell and Schlumberger and Nigeria’s Techno Oil Ltd. have clinched awards for excellence in service delivery to Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria.

The awards were bestowed on the companies on Thursday at the 6th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2023) Industry Awards in Abuja.

Techno Oil was recognised for coming from a humble beginning 35 years ago to grow into an integrated, wholly indigenous company with diverse portfolios in prime investments in oil and gas, energy, infrastructure and manufacturing.

Receiving the award, the Group Managing Director of Techno Oil, Mrs Nkechi Obi, described the award as another recognition in the determination of the company to give diligent services to Nigeria.

The NIES Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates industry executives, who make remarkable contributions to change the face of the energy industry, and who have also demonstrated outstanding leadership and performance over the years.

TechnoOil Group currently operates a 10,000 metric tonnes lubricant blending and manufacturing plant with a quality assurance laboratory.

The company also has a 65,000 metric tonnes fuel terminal facility where fuels marketed by the group are received, stored and eventually distributed.

It has over 40 fuel retail outlets across Nigeria as well as 8,400 metric tonnes of cooking gas storage terminal with capacity to load out 6,000 metric tons daily.

The group also operates LPG bottling plants and LPG skids with combined capacity of 2,000 metric tonnes across the country as well as a fully automated ultra-modern LPG cylinder manufacturing plant with annual production capacity of over five million pieces of cylinders.

The company commenced business in 1988.

Aliko-Dangote

Dangote, Techno Oil CEO, others bag vanguard awards

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group, Mrs Nkechi Obi, Chief Executive Officer, Techno Oil and 25 others have bagged the Vanguard Newspaper awards under various categories.

The awards were presented at the 11th edition of the Vanguard Personality of the Year Award on Friday night in Lagos.

Dangote bagged the Vanguard 2022 personality of the year award while Obi clinched the woman entrepreneur of the year award.

The General Manager, Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, said that for a decade, Vanguard Newspaper continues to recognize Nigeria’s most distinguished individuals for excellence, national pride and service to humanity.

Adefaye noted that these individuals in business, politics and other facets of human endeavours have not only achieved great success but have been responsible corporate citizens, impacting society and the environment.

“They have been innovative and forward thinking and have taken bold steps to shape the future of their industries and served with integrity and dedication to improve the nation.

“As we celebrate the achievements of these personalities, I encourage each and everyone to take a moment to reflect on your character as an individual.

“There are numerous ways to make a positive influence, whether by volunteering our time, closing market gaps, spearheading innovation, being a model citizen or simply lending a helping hand to people in need.

“We all have the power to shape the future of our country, and we must all take that responsibility seriously,” he said.

Chairman, Access Bank Plc, Dr Ajoritsedere Awosika, expressed satisfaction that distinguished Nigerians in various spheres of life were being celebrated while they were alive across the private and public sectors of the country.

“The event is an essential part of building the future of the country as it takes into cognisance those that create jobs, build businesses and inspire lives across the country.

“We are truthfully celebrating people that truly deserve to be living heroes in our midst,” she said.

Mrs Nkechi Obi, CEO, Techno Oil, receiving her vanguard woman entrepreneur of the year award

The Techno Oil CEO expressed her excitement at the award, adding she felt honoured and encouraged that her efforts were being recognised in areas of job creation and adding to the nation’s economy.

Obi reiterated her commitment to championing clean cooking through the Techno Cooksafe Initiative with focus to save lives, improve health, empower women and preserve the environment.

She charged young entrepreneurs, particularly women, to be very focused and embrace hard work to attain great success and contribute their quota to the development of the country.

Obi stressed the need for government to focus and channel its resources on tackling the country’s insecurity situation, to make the environment safer for investments and businesses to thrive.

The woman entrepreneur of the year awardee lauded the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), stating that its implementation must be fast tracked to fully harness the potentials of the oil sector and reap its benefits.

“I think Techno Oil has done a lot to grow the oil industry and the nation’s economy.

“I feel excited that Vanguard has honoured me here today and I understand that to whom much is given, much is expected and I pledge to do more, particularly to drive entrepreneurship,” she said.

Governors Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara and Seyi Makinde of Oyo emerged as Vanguard Newspaper 2022 governors of the year.

Mr George Onafowokan, Chairman Coleman Technical Industries Ltd, bagged the businessman of the year and Mr Wale Tinubu, Group Chief, Oando Group, clinched the private sector icon of the year.

Mr Julius Rone, Managing Director, UTM offshore Ltd, got the young entrepreneur of the year award while Mr Ayodele Subair, Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) bagged the Vanguard public sector icon award for the year.

MSMEs

Dangote, Udom, Elumelu, Katagum others for MSMEs awards

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The Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) says 84 individuals and organisations are to receive its Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) impact awards.

A statement issued on Friday by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of NASME, Dr Abdulrashid Yerima, described the MSMEs impact awards as part of activities lined up to mark the association’s 25th anniversary.

Yerima said that the recipients would be honoured for making remarkable impacts in their various fields of entrepreneurial development.

According to him, the lecture and awards night is scheduled for Nov. 12 at the Ibom ICON Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo.

“Africa’s prominent business promoter, Mr Tony Elemelu, Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, Amb. Maryam Katagum and the Dangote Foundation have been nominated for the distinguished impact awards by NASME.

“Also among those to receive the prestigious impact awards are 84 other individuals and organisations who have made remarkable impacts in their various fields of entrepreneurial development.

According to Yerima, the aim of the award is to stimulate entrepreneurship consciousness and reward innovation, creativity and hard work among Nigerians in spite the odds.

He said, “Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as special guest of honour would confer the awards on the recipients in Uyo.

“While Mr Jean Bankole, the Country Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) will be the keynote speaker.’’

Yerima further said that MSMEs development was of critical importance to productivity in the realisation of the country’s economic emancipation.

“No nation can be self-reliant and competitive in the international market without the development of the MSMEs sectors of the economy.

“Without MSMEs, no nation can enhance the quality of life of its citizenry as well as be self-reliant and competitive in the market.

“MSMEs is indeed the most important determinant of socio-economic growth, wealth creation, employment generation and overall improved standard of living,” Yerima said.

He expressed NASME’s commitment to the overall socio-economic growth and development of MSMEs as means of improving the standard of living of Nigerians.

“The NASME Award Committee made up of eminent Nigerians from diverse background had, after a thorough screening, recommended 89 individuals and organisations drawn from all sectors of the economy.

“Other award winners are, Leo Stan Ekeh of Konga, Kayode Pitan, Wale Fasanya, Unubiko Foundation, LSETF, Ubadigbo Okonkwo, Jach Rich, Lanre Oniyitan and Degun Agboade.

“Obiora Madu, NPF MFB Limited, SMEDAN, PAWED, NBTI, Opportunities Industrialisation Centre, NIRSAL, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Bank of Industry (BOI) and Bank of Agriculture (BOA).

“Other organisations include, Konga, UBA, Ecobank; Access Bank; Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Delta State Government, Bauchi and Borno State Governments,’’ Yerima said.

lafarge-cement

Interswitch, Lafarge, others bag IoD awards

Mr Mitchell Elegbe, Managing Director, Interswitch, a payment and transaction company, was on Wednesday conferred with the 2021 Institute of Directors (IoD) Entrepreneurial award.

Dr Ije Jidenma, president, IoD, said at the ceremony in Lagos, the award was based on Elegbe’s contribution to entrepreneurship drive and development in Nigeria.

Lafarge Africa Plc also received the IoD Corporate Governance award for embodying corporate governance principles on its board and across the organisation.

Other winners at the ceremony were: Dr Nosike Agokei, conferred with the IoD Director Development award and Ms Benedicta Molokwu, Woman Director award for the advancement of female directorship.

Jidenma said the event was an avenue to recognise well deserving directors in public and private sectors via awards in various categories.

She tasked directors to reflect on the activities of the outgoing year and proffer solutions to boost the economy in the incoming year through well thought out policies.

The IoD president reiterated that the institute would continue to advocate viable policy options that would do the country good in spite of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“The IoD with renewed vigour has been pursuing the charter status of the institute and has recorded great success with the bill currently in the Senate and hopeful to get the president’s assent soon.

“The construction of the IoD house has also gathered more steam and by next year, the project would have effectively taken off.

“2022 is projected to be a year of new opportunities with improved engagements with members and all other stakeholders,” she said.

Dr Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), encouraged directors to embody and practice principles of good corporate governance culture to spur national development.

Danbatta was represented by Mr Ayobanji Ojo, Head, Strategy, Corporate Planning and Risk Management, NCC.

He listed the 5G spectrum technology signing by MTN and MAFAB as a recent achievement of the NCC, saying the development offered great benefits to the Nigerian communication sector.

“5G would offer higher download of up to 10G per second and can connect more diverse devices not withstanding number of users in the areas,” he said.

Mrs Ifueko Okauru, Managing Partner, Compliance Professionals Plc, charged directors and the Nigeria youth to embrace the habit of speaking up to influence leadership and governance to make the society better.

neca

Nestle, MTN, others win at NECA’s excellence award

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Nestle and MTN are among the 25 companies that emerged winners at the maiden edition of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) 2020 Employers’ Excellence Award ceremony on Wednesday night.

Nestle Nigeria won in the Food, Beverages and Drinks Category, while MTN Nigeria won in the Telecommunication and GSM category.

Dangote Fertiliser/Projects and TGI Group won Chemical/Allied Products Award and Agro/Allied Services Award, respectively, at the event held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Other recipients included Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company which was honoured for the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour in the country.

The construction company was presented the award by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo.

Organisers say the NECA award is geared toward promoting and encouraging best practices in corporate performance, people management and industrial relations practices among employers in Nigeria.

In his opening remarks, President of NECA, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, said the award was to reward and celebrate the doggedness and resilience of organised business in Nigeria.

Adeniyi said: “Nigerian enterprises are arguably the most dogged and resilient in the world despite the myriads of challenges besetting the operating environment.

“While some have buckled under the excruciating local and global operating pressure of unfavourable circumstances; and others relocated in the quest for survival, most organisations have continued to trudge along, amidst the prevailing turbulence.

“In doing this, Nigerian enterprises have demonstrated social responsibility and fruitful partnership with government.

“This they did through the provision of employment opportunities for teeming youths and payment of taxes and levies to the government at all levels for developmental purpose.”

Also, the Director-General of NECA, Dr Timothy Olawale, said the award took into account the performances of the employers for the year 2020, hence, the 2020 Annual Excellence Award.

Olawale said the process leading to the selection of winners might not be perfect, but was credible, rigorous and fool-proof.

“The process had a three step control that seeks to ensure fairness to all organisations and remove influence from any quarter.

“While we noted the challenges faced by some organisations which may have prevented them from fully completing the process, those challenges have been taken as feedback to improve subsequent awards processes and also make it more open for all organisations.

“It is important to state that while winning is important to us, it is more important to celebrate the doggedness and resilience of our businesses in the face of global and local challenges.

“There is no better time to celebrate than now, having  surmounted to some extent,  the challenges posed by COVID-19; while we are not yet in Eldorado, we are definitely not hopeless, ” Olawale said.

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Buhari, 9 other presidents receive AfCFTA awards

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By Moses Uwagbale

President Muhammadu Buhari, nine other African Heads of State and Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of African Development Bank (AfDB) have received awards for their contributions to the kick-off of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The award ceremony was organised virtually by the African Union (AU) with the private sector in the AU headquarters at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday.

Awards were also given to heads of institutions for their roles in the enforcement of the AfCFTA.

The presidents given the awards were Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, Akufo-Addo of Ghana; Felix Tshekedi of Congo; Ahmed Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt and Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger.

Others were, Presidents Alpha Conde of Guinea; Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Chairperson of the AU; and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

Other country leaders who also received awards were, King Mswati III, Ngwenyama of Eswatini and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia.

Two former heads of states,  Mr Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria were presented with awards.

The President,  Africa Business Council (AfBC), Ms Amany Asfour, was also presented with an award for her role in that respect.

Some heads of African institutions and other prominent individuals were also awarded for their exceptional contributions to the AfCFTA process.

The awards were received by the various countries’ ambassadors and representatives of institutions present.

The organisers also promised to send the others through courier services to the recipients.

One of the award recipients, Ms Amany Asfour said the ceremony showed the commitment of the private sector towards the implementation of the AU Agenda 2063.

“We need an architecture where the organised private sector would cater for the implementation of the AfCFTA and it is such a pleasure now it has been constituted by the efforts of the AU Commission,” she said.

Asfour also urged the players in the private sector to ensure the implementation of the policies regarding the agreement.

“We need the legislation that will make it happen with the AfCFTA, the policies can be on paper but the implementation is our role as the private sector.

“It is a must to empower our Small and Medium Enterprises, youths and women. We are the richest continent in the world but we need to manage our own resources,” she said.

In her remarks, Mrs Saratu Aliyu, President, Federation of West Africa Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (FEWACCI) appreciated governments, private sector players and contributors to the success of the AfCFTA implementation.

Aliyu expressed optimism that the agreement would promote e-commerce and e-business infrastructure and develop a roadmap for the development of a digital economy to support the growth in member states.

She further reiterated the support of FEWACCI to achieving economic development and growth in Africa.

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