Abuja chamber’s award: Dangote, others emerge winners

Dangote Group, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Airtel Nigeria and Helios Investment were on Wednesday declared winners of the 2016 excellence award in business.
Tony Ejinkonye, the President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited, announced this at a news conference in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 2016 award had the theme: “Promoting the spirit of excellence.”
It was organised to celebrate outstanding corporate organisations, which had contributed to the growth of the national economy in spite of its downturn occasioned by drastic drop in the crude oil price.
Ejinkonye said the award, which was designed to recognise the achievements of winners, was also meant to promote and encourage other organisations to emulate their resilience and ability to succeed.
He said the choice of winners and the metrics used in their selection were not determined by the chamber.
Ejinkonye said the award was an avenue to express the support of ACCI to the Federal Government’s efforts in diversifying Nigeria’s economic base and shift attention away from crude oil.
He explained that the awards were given in the following category: Investor of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Organisation, Most Innovative Business Idea, Outstanding Company (Commerce) and Outstanding Company (Industry).
On selecting the Investor of the Year Award, Ejinkonye said considerations were made on the highest deals and new investment made by the organisation.
The winner of the CSR category was based on key projects executed by the company that impacted positively on the people.
The president further explained that the modality for selecting the Most Innovative Business Idea was based on the number of new products and services rolled out by the organisation.
On the outstanding company on commerce, Ejinkonye said the criteria were based on the highest volume of sales on export from non-oil products in the last five years.
Ejinkonye said the modality for selecting the outstanding company category on industry was based on the highest turnover of profit after tax, provision of new employment and payment of dividend to shareholders.
He said the winners of the award would formally receive their award at a dinner to be hosted by the chamber.
Ejinkonye said the award night had been slated for February 24 at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.
He said the ceremony would be attended by captains of industry, top government functionaries, members of the diplomatic corps and the business community.
Dangote group won the outstanding company of the year on industry, NLNG won the CSR award, while Airtel Nigeria clinched the most innovative business idea award.
Helios Investment partners and the Vitol Group emerged the investor of the year, while Olam Nigeria Limited won the outstanding company of the year on commerce.
NAN.