Ben Eguzozie, in Port Harcourt
Some Rivers based companies and personalities won laurels at the recently held Nigerian Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture’s (NACCIMA) 60th anniversary Excellence Awards held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. They carted home four excellence awards to which the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) lauded the member-companies.
PHCCIMA itself was honoured with an excellence award for ‘Innovative Chamber Development and Exceptional Contributions to the Growth of Commerce and Industry in Nigeria.’ The city chamber, established in 1957 was recognized as one of the most active chambers in the country.
Meanwhile, the incumbent president of PHCCIMA, Nabil Saleh and his company M. Saleh and Co. Limited were rewarded for their contributions to the alternative power and energy industry. The immediate past president, Emi Membere-Otaji and his Princess Medical Centre, Port Harcourt was also honoured for Development/Contribution to the Medical Industry.
On the individual level, latest Grammy award winner and Rivers born music diva, Burna Boy who only recently took home the ‘Best Global Music Album’ at the 2021 Grammy Awards, was honoured for his outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
Saleh, PHCCIMA president and chairman of the organizing committee of the NACCIMA at 60 celebrations, said the event was designed to encourage individuals and organisations who in their different ways have contributed to Nigeria’s economy, despite the setback occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the awards also served as a rendezvous for major stakeholders of the business community.
The NACCIMA event, under the chairmanship of Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, witnessed remarks by NACCIMA president, Saratu Iya Aliyu, who said that it was coming at a time when Nigeria was faced various challenges.
According to her, with the tremendous accomplishments by the awardees, the event inspires and encourages all Nigerians to regain their confidence and return to the culture of excellence in every aspect of their endeavours.
Others honoured at the event include, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, current Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO); Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB); Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Olugbenga Agboola, CEO and co-founder of Flutterwave; Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, aka “King Sunny Ade” among.
Also honoured are Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote of the Dangote Group; Abdul Samad Rabiu of the BUA group; Muhammed Barkindo, OPEC secretary-general; Gbenga Oyebode, Bolanle Austen Peters, Oscar Onyema, Lucy Ogechi While, Aisha Abubakar, Adesoji Adesugba, Kanu Nwankwo’s Heart Foundation, AMCON, MTN, Whiz Kid, Albert Ajayi, Toun Sonaiya, Kola Daisi, among others.
The event witnessed notable Nigerians in both private and public sectors, outstanding organisations as NACCIMA, marked its 60th anniversary as leader of the organised private sector in Nigeria.
