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).