For its laudable contributions to the growth of the telecoms industry in Nigeria, leading telecoms operator, Airtel Nigeria, has been named ‘Africa’s Telecommunications Company of the Year.’
The award was conferred on the Telco over the weekend at the 6th African Business Leadership Forum & Awards 2015, which held at the Hilton London Metropole, United Kingdom.
Airtel was also honoured with a Special Commendation Award from the US Georgia Legislative Black Caucus at the event.
Organisers of the awards, the African Leadership Magazine, noted that Airtel emerged the telecommunications company of the Year because of its “immense contribution to the growth of the Telecommunication sector in Nigeria and beyond.”
“In arriving at the choice of the Airtel Nigeria for this award, the magazine had conducted a survey among our over 480,000 readers comprising 180,000 fans on Facebook, several other thousands on our other platforms including our registered subscribers. In the opinion poll, we asked for their choice of outstanding business leaders and institutions in Africa who should be rewarded for excellence, dedication and business acumen and our different polls nomination shows that you ranked tops in the Telecommunication Category,” Mr. Ken Giami, managing director of African Leadership Magazine said while presenting the award to Airtel.
According to Giami, the award recognises companies who have made a mark in their industry through uncommon customer service, innovative products offering, community impact or technological offering.
It was also noted that in the last three years, Airtel has literally blazed the trail in the telecoms landscape in Nigeria, leading with innovative, bespoke products and services, significant improvement of its customer services and a revolutionary approach to Corporate Social Responsibility with award-winning CSR programmes such as Adopt-a-School and Touching Lives.
Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, Airtel Nigeria’s managing director and chief executive officer, received the awards at the colourful occasion, which had notable international business magnates and political leaders in attendance among whom were Rep. Dee Hawkins, Haigler Chair, State of Georgia Legislative caucus and Ms. Carol Abel, Governor, Central Bank of Seychelles.
Ogunsanya while receiving the award thanked all the critical stakeholders of the company for reposing such a high level of confidence on the Airtel brand and also for their invaluable support.
“While we relish this glorious recognition, it is very important for us to dedicate this laurel to all our customers in Nigeria and indeed the entire African continent. Our customers are not the only reason why we are in business today, but they are the major reason for all our successes,” he said.
The African Business Leadership Awards is a prestigious recognition event to reward exceptional practices and outstanding achievers especially in Africa’s private sector. It attracts over 250 businesses and professionals, as it provides a powerful networking opportunity for African businesses and business leaders to link with business leaders from Europe and other parts of the world.
Past outstanding recipients of the African Leadership awards include, H.E Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Namibia; H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, President of Tanzania; H.E Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone; H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia; H. E John Kufour former President of Ghana and Dr. Joyce Aryee, former CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines;
Others are Cal Bank Limited Ghana, African Development Bank Ghana, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Liberia Bank for Development and Investment, Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Founder Ibrahim Prize for Leadership; Dr. Donald Kebaruka, President of the African Development Bank Group; Hon. Xavier Luc-Duval, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Republic of Mauritius; Mr. Mohammed Dewji, CEO METL Group, Tanzania, etc .
