NINE WINNERS EMERGE AT THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION CORPORATE CITIZENS AWARD

Nine Companies have emerged winners in the maiden edition of the Corporate Affairs Commission Corporate Citizens Award.  Out of over 800 companies that were nominated for the award, only 26 companies made the final list, out of which the nine winning companies emerged during the award at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The categories and winners are as follows:

1. Most Extensive Compliance Category

• Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc

 2. More Extensive Compliance Category

• Access Bank Plc
• Zenith Bank Plc

 3.  Extensive Compliance Category

• United Bank for Africa Plc
• Asha Microfinance Bank Ltd
• Lafarge Africa Plc

4. Above Basic Compliance Category

• Leadway Assurance Ltd
• Nigerian Breweries Plc

 5. Basic Compliance Category

• Yobe Investment and Securities Ltd

The event was well attended by Regulatory and Supervisory Bodies, Captains of Industries, Industrialists, Stakeholders and top Government Functionaries.

It was pomp and pageantry when the winners were announced by Nigeria’s one time Minister of Industry Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Nike Akande, CON who was a member of the Panel of Judges under the Chairmanship of Dr. Christopher

Kolade, CON.  Dr. Kolade had earlier in his award opening statement explained the guidelines and criteria for selection.

The awards were presented by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga, CON who was the Chief Host and the Chairman of the Board of the Commission Otunba Funso Lawal, CON.

In his key note address at the award night, the Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga said that the award will recognize Corporate Citizens who have distinguished themselves in the conduct of their business, and promote the culture of good statutory compliance in Nigeria.

Dr. Aganga expressed delight that the award started during his tenure as the supervising minister adding that good business conduct was a major principle of his ministry because it will create the requisite environment for rapid economic growth and development.

He spoke about the integrity of the panel of judges headed by Dr. Christopher Kolade and commended the Commission’s wisdom for collaborating with other regulatory and professional bodies to ensure that awardees merit the award.

According to the Minister, the award will change the focus in doing business in Nigeria with a view to stimulate the growth of the domestic economy.

In his welcome address the Chairman of the Board of the Commission Otunba Funso Lawal said that the award was unique in two ways.  He said it will not only inspire a new orientation in the business environment but will also provoke our consciousness as a people to reflect on good business practice.

The Chairman said the award is part of efforts by the Board and Management of the Commission to reposition it for global reckoning by sanitizing business practices, check business malpractices, attract investors and boost the economy.  This he said will improve Nigeria’s rating in the global competitive index of doing business.

Also speaking, the Registrar-General of the Commission Alhaji Bello Mahmud stated that the awards covered areas such as quality of financial managements, management of stakeholder’s relations, workplace environment, corporate social responsibility, industry leadership, innovation as well as environmental performance.He said that the awardees complied with statutory requirements and best practices of corporate governance.

The Registrar-General thanked the Hon. Minister, the Board, the Panel of Judges and Management of the Commission for the commitment towards the success of the award.  He also congratulated the winners and appreciated the invited guests for honouring the Commission with their esteemed presence at the award ceremony