14 business leaders, 20 firms bag 2019 BusinessDay leadership awards

In recognition of exceptional business leaders and organisations for their sustained commitment to excellence in enterprise and contributions to the economy, no fewer than 14 tycoons and 20 companies including a public institution bagged different awards at the maiden BusinessDay Nigerian Business Leadership Awards.

The leadership awards, adjudged the most prestigious cross-industry event for the recognition of innovators and success stories, was graced by top dignitaries across the length and breadth of Africa’s largest economy.

This year’s awardees were grouped into two categories: the global awards category which rewarded individuals and organisations whose performance and impact transcend specific industries, and the sectoral awards category which announced companies of the year in each sector in recognition of their business agility, market share growth, financial strength, leadership vision and resilience in varying economic conditions.

Under the global awards category, Pascal Dozie, chairman, Kunoch Ltd; Ibukun Awosika, CEO, The Chair Centre Group and chairman, Board of Directors at First Bank of Nigeria Ltd; Haresh Keswani, group managing director, Artee Group; ‘Layi Francis Fatona, managing director (MD), Niger Delta Exploration and Production plc, and Tunde Afolabi, chairman/CEO, Amni International Petroleum Development Company, in no particular order, all received Lifetime Achievements Awards.

Speaking at the event, Frank Aigbogun, publisher/CEO, BusinessDay Media Ltd, said the reward was necessary in order to bring to limelight the great and innovative things happening in Nigeria whether they be in the private or in the public sector.

The Nigerian Business Leadership Awards are a part of a wider remit at BusinessDay to spark impactful conversations with business for private sector-led growth through a rich calendar of conferences and policy roundtables.

Oke Maduewesi, founder/CEO, Zaron Cosmetics Ltd, won the category for the B2C SME CEO of the Year award; Elochukwu Umeh, MD/CEO, Terragon Group (B2B SME CEO of the Year); Benedict Peters, founder, Aiteo Group (Business Leader of the Year); Aminu Babangida, chairman, Unity Bank plc (Corporate Board Leader of the Year); Ayoola Oduntan, chairman, Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Ltd (Diversified Business Group CEO of the Year), and Mauricio Alarcon, MD/CEO, Nestle Nigeria plc (Most Admired CEO of the Year).

Other recipients of the global awards were Pat McMichael, MD/CEO, Eat’N’Go Nigeria Ltd (Most Entrepreneurial CEO of the Year); Bolaji Osunsanya, MD/CEO, Axxela Ltd (Most Innovative CEO of the Year), and Foodco Nigeria Ltd for Multigenerational Company of the Year.

For the sectoral awards category, Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery was named the Agribusiness of the Year; GAC Motor was awarded Automobile Brand of the Year; MainOne Cable Ltd got Connectivity of the Year Award; NLP Nigeria received the Global Learning Organisation of the Year; Vedic Lifecare Hospital received Healthcare Company of the Year; and Hayat Kimya Nigeria Ltd was awarded Household Products and Personal Care Company of the Year.

Essenza Nigeria Limited was awarded Luxury Company of the Year; Sujimoto Construction (Luxury Property Development Company of the Year); Axxela Ltd (Midstream Oil and Gas Company); Amni International Petroleum Development Company (Pan-African Energy Company); Eat’N’Go Ltd (Quick Service Restaurant Company); Redbrick Homes (Real Estate Company), and Landwey Investment Ltd (Real Estate Investment Company).

Others include Spar which got the Retail Brand; Inlaks Ltd (Technology Solutions Company); IHS Nigeria (Telecoms Infrastructure Company); Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort (Tourism & Hospitality Brand), and Aiteo Explorations & Production Company (Upstream Oil and Gas Company).

Some public sector players were also recognised in the special awards for distinction in leadership in the public sector for the critical role they play in creating an environment conducive for the private sector to thrive.

The Transformational Leader in the Public Sector was conferred on Simbi Wabote, executive secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), while NCDMB got the Government Agency for Enabling Business Award.

Nominees for the awards were selected on a weighted score based on innovation; service delivery; product quality; financial results; market share; corporate governance; Nigerian identity as well as ethnics and integrity.

“For us, it took perseverance and painstakingness in selecting, evaluating and coming to a conclusion as to the deserving winners of the award,” Aigbogun said on the sidelines of the award ceremony.

According to him, companies and individuals honoured at the awards stand to receive significant benefits including endorsements, exposure, new business development as well as identification with BusinessDay’s values of organisational excellence and private sector-driven economic prosperity.

He noted that the 2020 edition of the awards would feature fewer sectors but would be much grander and bigger than this year’s edition.