Adesina, Fashola, others Honour at NBCC Centenary Dinner

L-R: Former Nigeria High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Director of UK Trade and Investment, Mr. Mike Purves (representing the British High Commissioner), President of Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu MFR and the MD of Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Seni Adetu, at the NBCC Presidential Dinner and Awards held on Friday November 21, 2014, in Lagos.

Distinguished Nigerians and corporate organizations were at the weekend honoured by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) at a presidential dinner and award organized as part of activities marking 100 years of Nigerian-British trade relations in Lagos. Top on the list of the awardees were the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun,  Jigawa State Governor, Alhji Sule Lamido, amongst others.

Dr. Adesina and Governor Fashola were crowned Minister of the year and Governor of the year respectively for their contribution to the nation’s economy through excellence leadership. Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, and Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, received awards for good governance while the Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola was named CEO of the year.
Speaking at the dinner, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Pan Atlantic University, Dr. Christopher Kolade described NBCC as a custodian of standards and values which he said must be sustained. He pleaded with the members of the chamber to ensure that things that drive standards, values, and good performance are not allow to desert them. He noted that celebrating 100 years of trade relations between the UK and Nigeria is a lot of history which goes with a lot responsibility.

Dr. Kolade who was the chairman of the event said: “what I see as the identity with which I want to associate my self with tonight is that NBCC is a community of people who can claim to be the one who are moving this economy along. You are not only adding value to this economy, but you are also doing same to the British economy as well, because it is about trade relations.”

In the corporate category, Jumia Nigeria won the Online Business of the Year, Guinness’s Orijin herbal drink bags Innovation in Business while SME Friendly Bank Award falls on Diamond Bank. Olam Nigeria smiles home with Exporter of the Year while Promasidor Nigeria wins most Outstanding British Business in Nigeria award.
Other awardees: Swift Oil, Private Business Growth Award; Lagos Business School, Leadership in Education and Training; PWC Nigeria, Leadership in Professional Service Delivery while the British High Commission Centenary Prize for the Company that contributed consistently to Anglo-Nigerian trade relations was received by Sifax group.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock  said the  award, which torches  both old and new companies, including UK companies operating in Nigeria  was a  reflection of the birth of the commercial relationship between the UK and Nigeria. He expressed optimisms that the next 100 years will see both nations’ economies growing from strength to strength.
Dr. Pocock who was represented by Director, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Mike Purves  promised that  the UK will continue to partner with Nigeria for a mutual understanding in the development of the two nations.
The President of NBCC, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu in a remark described the relationship between the two nations as very special with a lot of investment in the people of the two countries in the past 100 years.  “I see us growing into the next level in terms of facilitating better trade relations for mutual benefits. I think the legacy is strong and I see us taking it into a more high level of partnership and collaboration, corporation and understanding,” Adefulu noted.