The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Awards

  • Pearl Awards for corporate leaders

    The annual Pearl Awards, a means of celebrating winners on the nation’s stock exchange market, scheduled for tomorrow at Eko Hotel, Lagos, has been described as a huge clash of corporate titans.

    Speaking to newsmen ahead of the event, the President of Pearl Awards Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Orekoya, said he is particularly elated “because there is so much excitement in the air among the quoted companies and the list of high-performing nominees already released by the Awards Board of Governors assures that it promises to be another night of the clash of corporate titans.

    Orekoya said his expectations are high and he looks forward to a night of excellence and glamour to be graced by who is who in government, corporate Nigeria and indeed captains of Industry.

    “It is a night to wine and dine and savour the joy of corporate excellence, away from the usual strategizing and business decision-making,” he said.

    Orekoya said the fact that the event is holding this year underscores the fact that the economy is on the path to recovery, considering that after the contraction of the GDP for five consecutive quarters, it picked up in the second quarter of this year with the impact felt on the capital market with about 2.2 trillion gains in market capitalization in the same period, and indeed a gain of about N3. 5 trillion to date.

    He agrees that the government has been supportive of the stock market. “Yes, a number of recent pragmatic and positive fiscal and monetary policies of the Federal Government and CBN respectively have contributed immensely to the improvement of the stock market performance, including stability in foreign exchange, improved access through investors and exporters forex window and enhanced national security have all restored both foreign and local investors’ confidence in the capital market.

    ”The early presentation of the 2108 budget is commendable, however, it would be more effective if the National Assembly ensures early consideration and passage of this budget. Again, the CBN needs to positively consider reduction in interest rates to enhance performance of the real and manufacturing sectors. Infrastructural deficit should be addressed vigorously by government to reduce production costs, thereby enabling quoted companies compete favorably globally,” he said.

    Asked what has been the mainstay of exercise, which has been in existence in the last two decades, Orekoya said: “The mainstay has been a strong Board of Governors, the objectivity and fairness of the award criteria and process; transparency, as the awards are based on empirical data utilizing verifiable indices, including turnover growth; earnings yield; return on equity; net asset ratio; share price appreciation; profit margin ratio; dividend cover; dividend growth and dividend yield.

    “Also, as a matter of policy, unlike most other awards, the Pearl doesn’t charge a fee for winning the awards. It is purely based on performance. This year’s award theme is ‘Winning with Tenacity’. Tenacity implies doggedness, strong will and determination to achieve success or stay on the winning edge in spite of challenges in the operating environment.”

  • Shell companies bag awards

    Shell companies bag awards

    Shell companies in Nigeria (SCiN) are the 2017 Best in sustainability and innovation in Africa, beating two other finalists at the 11th edition of the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs) for Corporate Social Responsibility in Lagos last Friday.

    Shell companies also defeated three other contestants to win the Best Company in Affordable and Clean Energy, and got the second runner-up prize for the Most Socially Responsible Nigerian Company for the year.

    “We’re delighted at the continued recognition of our modest support to Nigeria and Nigerians to make life better and create opportunities to individuals and institutions, particularly in our host communities,” said the Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and country Chair, SCiN, Mr. Osagie Okunbor.

    “We are challenged by these laurels to do even more as CSR remains part of the DNA of the Shell business, and we are striving to improve our partnership with NGOs, government and communities to ensure that our people participate more in the execution of programmes and own them for greater sustainability,” he added.

    Leveraging its support for entrepreneurs for bright energy ideas through the globally acclaimed Shell LiveWIRE programme, SPDC showcased its numerous social intervention programmes, including the training and empowerment of hundreds of youths, particularly in its host communities to clinch the prize as the best company in affordable and clean energy.

    The sustainability innovation award resulted from the renewable energy solution as an alternative for powering the Shell-supported Obio Cottage Hospital, Port Harcourt, which led to significant cost savings in energy consumed and enabled the hospital to focus its resources on its core aspiration of providing quality healthcare for the people. Due to its success, the solution has been replicated in seven other Shell-supported health facilities in the Niger Delta.

    The SERA–CSR Awards is an annual event to celebrate organisations investing resources in the improvement of lives of stakeholders and contributing to the development of Africa through their social performance and investment programmes.

    A total of 26 awards were won by corporate organisations and individuals in recognition of their sustainable development and social investment efforts in Africa.

    Apart from their three winning entries, Shell companies also got nominated in four other categories: Best Company in Poverty Eradication; Best Company in Provision of Clean Water and Sanitation; Best Company in Partnership for Development; and Best Company in Support of SMEs.

    Shell Companies in Nigeria – SPDC, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) work with the government, communities and civil society to implement programmes that have  lasting impact on lives in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as whole.

    Social investment activities focus on community and enterprise development, education, health, access-to-energy and since 2016, road safety. This, however, exclude community-driven development programmes and initiatives delivered through the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), which focuses on various themes as determined by benefiting communities.

  • Premium Times wins Global Investigative Reporting Award

    Premium Times wins Global Investigative Reporting Award

    Nigeria’s top online newspaper, Premium Times has won the 2017 Global Shinning Light Award at the Global Investigative Journalists Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.
    It’s investigative reports, ‘Inside the Massive Extrajudicial Killings in Nigeria South-East’ and ‘How Onitsha Massacre of Pro-Biafra Supporters was Coordinated.’ beat 210 others from 66 countries to emerge top.
    ‘Project No. 1’ by Beladi’s Television channel on Corruption in Iraq’s Ministry of Education was the runner up.
    The Awards honors investigative journalism conducted in a developing or transitioning countries, done under threat, duress or in the direst  of conditions.
    Two other projects,  the ‘Making of a killing’ and ‘Gujarat Files, Anatomy of a cover-up were awarded with certificates of excellence.
    The Award judges expressed satisfaction with the solo investigations that were conducted with minimal resources amid real threats and intimidation.
    The writer of the winning report, Emmanuel Mayah said he feels fulfilled and happy that his report emerged top adding that he never envisaged winning because of the large number of entries.
    He hoped that someday, a story will galvanize a civic action that will bring the desired changes the country.
    The Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, Musikilu Mojeed  said the difference in the story was that his organisation took time to research and ensure that all evidence of the killings were proved.
    He said that the award is an inspiration and motivation for his organisaiton and staff  that they are not working  in vain.
    “Receiving this award tonight is with mixed feelings because the family of the people that were killed are yet to be given any justice and the ones involved in the killings are yet to be brought to book. So we cannot rejoice enough that we have won an award when people who are killed are yet to be given justice.”

  • Power Oil receives double awards

    It was a double recognition for Power Oil, a vegetable cooking brand when it bagged two brilliant awards in different categories at the prestigious Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) Awards for Marketing Excellence, 2017 West Africa.

    The brand emerged the first in the category of Corporate Social Responsibility, contending against other equally big brands such as Nigerian Breweries, MTN Foundation & Indomie nominated under this group.

    Also under the most anticipated award category amongst other categories, which was Brand of the Year Award, Power Oil came second place, being nominated amongst other giant brands such as; Coca-Cola, Airtel, Indomie, Hayat, Unilever and others who entered for the category.

    ADVAN is a reputable and the only body in the nation, founded to advance the interest of the Marketing Industry in Nigeria by spearheading and ensuring global best practice as well as facilitating collaborative partnership with relevant stakeholders.

    According to Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, president of ADVAN, ‘’ it  was really a tough task awarding the brand of the year category especially for this edition, because all the brands nominated under the category performed excellently beyond expectations.However, what needed to be done had to be done and we congratulate recipients of all the award categories’’.

    Also during the event, Amisha Chawla, brand Manager, Power Oil who was clearly elated expressed her excitement having received two awards. She also thanked the association behind the ADVAN Award, as it has indeed been true to its purpose of creating value for the nation’s Marketing Communication community.

    “We all know how tough and meticulous ADVAN can be with entries, also considering the level of screening and scrutiny entries are being subjected to before transiting to the nomination stage, then to final-  the winning stage” Amisha stated.

    Power Oil is proudly Nigerian heart-friendly vegetable cooking oil under the staple of Raffles Oil Enterprise which offers consumers a healthier way of cooking as well as initiatives that educates and promotes a healthier lifestyle amongst Nigerians.  Power Oil is endorsed by the Nigerian Heart Foundation.

     

     

  • Chivita Active vegetable fruit juice, Hollandia Choco malt win marketing world awards

    An evening of glitz and glamour at the recently held 2017 edition of the Marketing World Awards saw two of the most innovative brands from the stable of Chi Limited recognised for delivering superior values to the market and exhibiting excellence in upholding effective marketing strategies. Whilst Chivita Active Vegetable Fruit Nectar came tops in the Best Use of Packaging category, Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink was recognised as the Emerging Brand of the Year in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) category.

    For Chivita Active Vegetable Fruit Nectar, while its offering of vegetable and fruit in one mix is the first of its kind in Nigeria, it is the brand’s ambient and aseptic packaging, which also its the first of its kind, that saw it pick up the award for the Best Use of Packaging.

    The offer of vegetable and fruit juice in a packaging that does not require refrigeration and is free from contamination, along with a cutting edge design, rich vegetable, fruit and juice visuals combined perfectly with an appealing colour pallet, is one that resonates with consumers who lead an active lifestyle and are primed to achieve more.

    While it was awarded the Emerging Brand of the Year for a FMCG, Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink is the first ready-to-drink chocolate, malt and milk drink in the Nigerian market. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, and takes away the hassles and inconvenience associated with preparing a choco-based drink the traditional way. As a product, it is fast reshaping consumption trends for a choco-based beverage because of its ready to drink convenience and offer of instant “sharp sharp” nutrition.

    According to Akin Naphtal, Chief Executive Officer of Instinctwave, this year’s edition of the Marketing World Awards showcased the latest industry innovations and initiatives, while recognising the exceptional work of marketing champions over the past 12 months. He reiterated that like the proverbial golden fish, innovative brands like Chivita Active Vegetable Fruit Nectar and Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink deserve the recognition.

    “Chivita Active Vegetable Fruit Nectar and Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink have not only pioneered new segments in the juice and choco-based beverage markets but have also within the last 12 months, achieved consumer preference status in their respective categories through innovative offerings and packaging,” he said.

    Chi Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, indicated that the recognition of two of the company’s most recent innovative brands at the Marketing World Awards was a reflection of the resourcefulness and value-driven processes that have ensured product quality, from conception to packaging.

    “The awards received by both of our brands at the Marketing World Awards show our continued desire to meet up with changing consumer needs. As always, the consumer is king; and thus, it is important to provide consumer satisfaction at all times. Innovation is key to achieving this. We are proud of these brands and their amazing stories of consumer satisfaction and achieved recognition,” he stated.

  • Vodacom wins four awards

    Vodacom Business Nigeria has emerged the Internet of Things (IoT) Provider of the Year, the Telecom Business of the year and the Enterprise Service Provider of the Year at the 2017 Nigeria Technology Innovation and Telecoms Awards (NTIT Award).

    Its Managing Director, Mr. Lanre Kolade, also won the Industry Personality of the year award.

    Speaking after receiving the awards, Kolade said: “We are honoured to receive these awards. This endorses our commitment to delivering world-class total communications solutions to businesses in Nigeria. Our gratitude goes to our customers whose businesses are driving the Nigerian economy and the men and women at Vodacom who work round the clock to support these businesses.” Vodacom Business Nigeria is taking the lead in the market with IoT, using this technology to empower healthcare delivery, education management and enterprises to be more efficient.  IoT drives digital transformation, helping businesses to remain relevant in today’s digital world.

    “The IoT is playing an increasing role as an enabler of economic development. Governments across Africa continue to adopt this technology to leapfrog developmental stages, improve service delivery, supporting healthy, well-educated and economically active citizens,” he added.

    NTIT Awards is an industry celebration organised by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). It is aimed at recognising organisations and individuals at the forefront of technology and innovation in the industry.

    These accolades follow long standing track records that Vodacom Business Nigeria has developed in the market over time, delivering enterprise-grade connectivity solutions, cloud and hosted services, enterprise voice solution and IoT to business in Nigeria.

  • EFCC probing NITDA’s 2017 contract awards, says minister

    EFCC probing NITDA’s 2017 contract awards, says minister

    Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu has revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was already investigating allegations of impropriety in award of some contracts by the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA).

    He spoke while fielding questions on Ibadan-based Fresh FM radio programme, Political Circuit, at the weekend.

    The minister said the Federal Government would await the outcome of the investigation on the petition written against the NITDA management over its spending of the 2017 budget estimates to know the next step to take on the matter.

    Kaduna-based Good Governance and Accountability Monitoring Group (GGAMG) had, in a September 27 petition, accused the Director General of NITDA, Dr. Isa Pantami of flouting  the Procurement Act with an alleged  grand plan to cede the entire NITDA budget for the year 2017 to a certain company (Galaxy Blackbone).

    The group argued that the decision could affect the nation’s economy going by the quantum of the contract.

    Shittu said: “Before I received the letter, the case was with EFCC. I was merely copied. Since that is done, it is not in my power to investigate alleged criminality. I think we should look up to EFCC on that matter.

    “Of course, NITDA has also responded and gave me a copy of its response but I don’t have the prerogative power to investigate. If the matter had not gone to EFCC, I would have set up a committee to look into it. But let me sound this note of warning; on a matter of contracts, so many people get used when they are not succeeding in getting what they want in the processes.

    “I am not saying people in NITDA or other government agencies are saint or angels but you have to look at the two ways deeply. At my level, I wish EFCC, to whom the original petition was address take it up and take a decision and report appropriately,” Shittu maintained.

  • West Africa Media Excellence Awards holds Saturday

    West Africa Media Excellence Awards holds Saturday

    THE maiden edition of the West Africa Media Excellence Awards will hold on Saturday.

    The awards, according to the Executive Director of MFWA, Sulemana Braimah, are intended to inspire and promote excellence in journalism across West Africa by rewarding and honouring journalists from the region, who have distinguished themselves by producing and reporting high quality journalistic pieces that impact positively on society.

    To ensure that determination of stories to be awarded is based on a credible, high-standard and a professional standard, the MFWA has a three-member team of distinguished, experienced and renowned journalists and media experts to serve as judges.

    The judges are:

    Ms. Sophie Ly, an experienced Senegalese journalist, media trainer and media development expert. She presently serves as the Director of the Dakar-based consulting firm, Nexus Groupe.

    Mr. Lanre Idowu, an accomplished and highly respected Nigerian journalist, editor, author, publisher, media owner and trainer. He is well-known for his passion and commitment to quality journalism. He serves as a trustee of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

    Ms. Elizabeth Ohene, a veteran Ghanaian journalist.  She worked with the Graphic Communications Group between 1967 and 1982 as a Reporter, Staff Writer, Columnist and Acting Editor of the Daily Graphic and Mirror.

    The competition received more than 400 entries from 12 countries across West Africa. The three-member panel of judges, after a thorough review of all entries, shortlisted 15 finalists for six out of 11 categories.

    The finalists are as follows:

     

    * Oil and Gas Reporting: Justice Baidoo, Multimedia Broadcasting Limited, Ghana; Femi Asu, Punch Newspaper, Nigeria.

     

    * ECOWAS and Regional Integration Reporting: Akinfenwa Ebenezer Olugbenga, The Guardian Newspaper, Nigeria; Shiella Williams, Business Day Newspaper, Ghana.

     

    * Anti-Corruption Reporting: Alagbe Jesusegun, Punch Newspaper, Nigeria and Odimegwu Onwumere, The Nigerian Voice, Nigeria.

     

    * Health Reporting: Kindo Noufou, Burkina 24, Burkina Faso; Agbota Ernest, ORTB Radio Parakou, Benin and Fousseni Saibou, Radio Kanal FM, Togo.

     

    * Human Rights Reporting: Bazie Bassana Jonas, Radio Wat FM, Burkina Faso; Seth Kwame Boateng, Multimedia Broadcasting Limited, Ghana and Sodjago Ankou Mawuegnegan, Senego Senegal.

     

    *Investigative Reporting: Arukaino Umukoro, Punch Newspaper, Nigeria; Ulrich Vital Ahotondji et Romuald Logbo, EducAction, Benin and Manasseh Azure Awuni, Multimedia Broadcasting Limited, Ghana.

     

    Finalists will be hosted at the awards event on Saturday and also participate in the West Africa Media Excellence Conference on Friday, which will feature sessions on topical journalism issues and also provide opportunities for networking with other journalists, editors and experts from West Africa.

    The overall best West African journalist would also be announced at the awards event.

    Winners will receive plaques, certificates and cash prizes. All finalists who are not winners in the various categories will also receive certificates of merit.

    All 15 finalists will also be inducted as fellows of the MFWA’s Journalism for Change Network and will be offered regular training opportunities both locally and internationally to enhance their capacity to influence positive change in society through journalism.

    The award was launched on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, Ghana.

    It was officially launched by Ghana’s Minister for Business Development, Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal. Awal is a journalist by training, former managing director of Ghana’s biggest newspaper organisation, Graphic Communications Group Limited and the publisher of one of Ghana’s leading newspapers, The Finder.

  • PEARL Awards lauds NSE

    PEARL Awards Nigeria has commended the management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for its focused initiatives and innovations aimed at enhancing the development of the capital market.

    Speaking during a courtesy visit by the PEARL Awards Board of Governors to the NSE in Lagos, President, PEARL Awards Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Orekoya, noted the increasing restoration of investors’ confidence in the capital market, which has been resulting in higher trading transactions, robust yield and returns to investors.

    Alluding to the trajectory of the PEARL Awards during the visit, Orekoya restated that the Awards was instituted in 1995 to reward quoted companies for actual operational performance based on verifiable facts and figures. This according to him has endeared the Awards to the capital market stakeholders over the years.

    While thanking the NSE for its support for the Awards Project in the past years, Orekoya solicited for continued support of the NSE for the PEARL Awards Project.

    In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema attributed the success of the NSE to team work by the management and staff of the Exchange.

    He commended the PEARL Awards for its resilience and ability to weather the storm over the past 22 years of its existence.

    He congratulated the Awards Board of Governors for staying the course both in the good and bad economic climates with a pledge to continue to support the Awards as one of the initiatives dedicated to promoting market development.

  • Adadevoh, LUTH get awards

    Adadevoh, LUTH get awards

    The Ebola amazon, the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, will be honoured with a posthumous life-time achievement award in recognition of her selfless services to humanity and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

    The event, first of its kind, will hold on Sunday, October 22 in Lagos. It is being organised by Amity Awards and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in recognition of the immense  achievements recorded by the late woman and the hospital under its  management.

    According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CIDL, Solomon Alao, the award is aimed at recognising and celebrating heroes, who exhibit the highest levels of professionalism and stay the course, to elicit pride and reinforce good behaviour.

    Also, corporate bodies, such as Guinness Nigeria PLC, Nigeria Breweries PLC, Chevron Nigeria and National Sovereign Investment Agency, will be recognised for their contributions to LUTH.

    The Lions Club District 404A will also be honoured at the event.