Significance of manila in LCCI’s 2017 Commerce, Industry Awards

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has concluded arrangements to hold its 2017 commerce and industry awards on July 1.

This year’s award is significant as it comes with the unveiling of ‘manila’, which symbolises old currency and epitomises trade and commerce in Lagos and West African sub-region.

The 2017 LCCI Commerce and Industry Awards is also critical as it is fourth in the series and coincides with the celebration of Lagos at 50.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos recently, Nike Akande, president of LCCI, said the objective of the annual awards was to recognise, promote and celebrate private and public institutions operating in Nigeria for best business practices, growth through innovations, business sustainability and positive impact on the people and society.

“In this fourth edition, we are celebrating organisations that have demonstrated resilience and good corporate governance in the face of pressures arising from recession,” Akande said.

She said the award prided itself as a credible, competitive and inclusive one in the Nigerian private sector, attracting many entries across all sectors of the economy. She further explained that the chamber was partnering with CMC Connect, one of the country’s leading public relations firms, for the award.

On his part, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, group managing director of CMC Connect Burson Marsteller, expressed hope that the award would, at some point, attract traffic from other countries.

“The goal of this is to make Lagos the centre of business excellence in sub-Saharan Africa. We expect that annually, the best players in industry and commerce will converge in the mega city to celebrate the most outstanding among them, thus keying into the tourism agenda of the Lagos State Government,” said Badejo-Okusanya.

He explained that the iconic symbol of Lagos Manila was originally used as an ornament but later adopted as local trading currency in the 16th century, gaining prominence as a foremost means of exchange on the West Coast of Africa.

Odinaka Anudu