Dangote Cement, Airtel and some other companies are to emerge as the winners of this year’s Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) annual award, slated to hold on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. This was contained in a statement made available to the press by the chamber, which states that the goals for this year’s awards are multidimensional.
According to the statement; “In its policy of promoting business excellence, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2015, thought it wise to reward efforts made by individuals in business towards the growth of the Nigerian economy. This award was titled The Abuja Chamber Awards.
Its first and only winners were eminent business and corporate personalities which included Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Emeka Offor, Mr Oscar Onyema and Mr. Olatunde Ayeni. “After a thorough review of the award, the chamber felt the need to institute a sustainable and enduring award process with established and clearly defined criteria and metrics, which shall equitably apply to all organizations in any category under consideration at any point in time. Thus, ACC Excellence Awards was born. It has the theme, promoting the Spirit of Excellence. This year’s award is being organised to celebrate outstanding organizations that have contributed to the growth of the national economy even in the face of the economic downturn being experienced as a result of low oil prices.
“The goals for this year’s awards are multidimensional. As stated earlier, the awards will recognise the achievements of the winners. The Chamber would also use it as a platform to encourage other organisations to emulate the winners’ resilience and ability to face the predicted slowing economic growth not with despair but with renewed enthusiasm, powered by innovation and reinvigorated business ideas. It is our desire as well, to use the awards as an avenue to express the Chamber’s support of the Federal Government’s push to diversify Nigeria’s economic base and to shift attention away from crude oil.
“After thorough research, and comprehensive analysis from a highly professional team of Business Intelligence Report Experts and Consultants, nominees and eventual winners of these awards were selected based on the following metrics; Investor of the Year: – Highest deals and new Investments made by the organisation. Highest percentage CSR to society, based on a key project that impacted positively without direct benefit to donor organisation.
Most Innovative Business Idea – New product(s) / services rolled out by an organisation which facilitated economic activity in the country. “Outstanding Company (Commerce) -Highest volumes of sales / export of non-oil products in the last 5 years.
Outstanding Company (Industry) – Highest profit after tax, new employment, dividend pay out to shareholders.
Awards winners emerged and will be given in the following categories: Investor of the Year:-Helios Investment Partners and the Vitol Group, Corporate Social Responsible organisation:- Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Most Innovative Business Idea: Airtel Nigeria, Outstanding Company (Commerce):- Olam Nigeria, Outstanding Company (Industry):- Dangote Cement.”
