Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) announce 2016 Excellence Award Winners
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) announced winners of the 2016 Excellence Awards in a press briefing recently.
Tony Ejinkeonye, the Chamber president, during the press briefing in Abuja, said that the Chamber is a non-profit and non-political organization made up of members drawn from businesses and institutions in Abuja and across the country. He noted that the Chamber represents the common interests of the organized private sector.
The essence of the award, according to him, is to promote the spirit of excellence among businesses.
“The Excellence Awards was born out of the need to institute a sustainable and enduring award process with established and clearly defined criteria and metrics which shall equitably apply to all organisations in any category under consideration at any point in time,” said the Chamber president.
Ejinkeonye said the award, which was designed to recognize the achievements of winners, was also meant to promote and encourage other organizations 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, but by a team of Professional Business Intelligence Report Experts and Consultants.
He drew attention to the fact that 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.
The awards were in the following categories: Investor of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Company of the Year, Most Innovative Business Idea, Outstanding Company (Commerce) and Outstanding Company (Industry).
Helios Investment Partners and the Vitol Group emerged Investor of the Year. The metrics in judging this category was based on the highest deals and new investments made by the organisation.
Nigeria LNG emerged as the Corporate Social Responsible Company for the year under review. The company proved to have posted the best in a ‘key project that impacted positively without direct benefit to donor organisation‘.
Airtel Nigeria’s Recharge and Hit-A-Million Promo emerged as the Most Innovative Business Idea. This is based on the impact of this service on the organisation’s market share within the same period.
Olam Nigeria Limited stood out as the outstanding company (Commerce). The criteria for selection were based on the highest volume of sales on export from non-oil products in the last five years.
Once again, Dangote Cement emerged as the Outstanding Company (Industry). The modality for selecting this category was based on the highest turnover of profit after tax, provision of new employment and payment of dividend to shareholders.
The winners of the awards would formally receive their awards at a dinner to be hosted by the chamber on February 24, 2016 at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja. The former Vice President of the World Bank and Nigeria’s former Minister for Education and later, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Obiageli Ezekwesili will present the key note address. His Excellency the Executive Governor of Jigawa State Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar mni will be the Chief Guest of Honour, while the Host Minister, Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello, Hon. Minister for Federal Capital Territory will be the Special Guest of Honour.
The occasion will be graced by Captains of Industries, Top Government Functionaries, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Nigeria Business Community.
FRANK UZUEGBUNAM