Dangote Group, subsidiaries shine at 2024 NECA Visible Impact Awards

*Dangote Cement, Petroleum Refinery win sectoral, groundbreaking investment and excellence awards at the 2024 NECA’s annual night of recognitions for celebrating the resilience, doggedness, and outstanding performance of employers, in Lagos

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a blitz of honour, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), a Pan-Africa Conglomerate, and its subsidiaries, including Dangote Cement Plc and Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals stole the show at the weekend in Lagos when they carted away excellence awards.

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), private sector employers’ body, accorded the conglomerate the honours during its 2024 annual night of recognitions, tagged, “Defying the Odds”.

Dangote Group was recognised under the Visible Impact Award for Resilience & Entrepreneurship; Dangote Cement won the Sectoral Excellence Award in the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products category, while the 650,000bpd capacity world’s largest single train refinery, Dangote Refinery won the Groundbreaking Investment award.

Basking in the euphoria of the recognitions, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, Vice-President, Oil and Gas at DIL, who was on the ground to receive the awards described them as reflecting the values of Dangote Group and its subsidiaries as top employers of labour.

Edwin stated that the the Group and its subsidiaries have shown resilience in the face of tough business operating environment in Nigeria.

He also said the award would further spur the Management of Dangote to continue in the trajectory of the fine best global best practices in business with more investments towards rejuvenating the country’s economy.

Likewise, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, and Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), her counterpart in Aviation and Aerospace Development, were recipients of the “Visible Impact in Public Service Award”.

Commenting on this year’s event, NECA affirmed the celebration is geared towards promoting and encouraging best practices in Corporate Performance, People Management and Industrial Relations practices among employers in Nigeria.

The Association explained this is in a bid to celebrate outstanding contributions of enterprise to national development.

The annual Awards equally provides a platform for celebrating the resilience, doggedness and outstanding performance of employers in the country, stated NECA.

Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Ifeanyi Eric Okoye, President of NECA, noted the award ceremony was to celebrate the excellence, resilience, innovation and unwavering commitment demonstrated by businesses across the various sectors of the Nigerian economy this year.

Dr. Okoye stated that the the of the Awards, “Defying the Odds”, reflected the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian enterprises that have consistently risen to the challenges posed by the dynamic and demanding local and global economic landscape.

Said he, “This annual ceremony is a testament to remarkable progress made by organisations that share our vision of a thriving private sector as the bedrock of national development.

“Over the years, the NECA’s Excellence Award has become a hallmark of prestige highlighting organisations that exemplify best practices in corporate governance, industrial relations and environmental sustainability.”

The President of NECA stated: “Our honours tonight do not only serve as a beacon of hope, and a reminder that in the face of adversities excellence is achievable, it is also an opportunity to increase visibility by highlighting their achievements and innovations to a wider audience.

“As we celebrate tonight, let us not only celebrate the achievements of the award recipients; let also celebrate all businesses here present and those that have left in the past few years and recommit ourselves to fostering innovation, inclusivity and resilience in all that we do. “Together we can build a future where Nigerian enterprises thrive as global leaders.”

Speaking at the event also, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA, explained that the awards were a statement that, irrespective of the challenges the private sector employers have been facing “since January till now, there is time for all of us to relax, just breathe, and celebrate the resilience, doggedness, innovations your businesses were able to bring on-board and their contributions to national development.”

Oyerinde stated: “So, we are gathered this evening to celebrate your businesses, contribution and support to NECA. We have broken away from the traditional issues of labour and employment that you know us with, and are now dealing with all fundamental issues that affect your businesses either now or in the future like Environmental, Social and Governance in sustainability issues.

“We are also deepening our collaboration with CIPE moving into the realms of ethics with emphasis on doing business correctly.”

He further noted: “We are also deepening our engagements with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the context of responsible business conduct for our members to operate responsibly within the context of the law.

“This strengthens our hands to advocate against unfavourable business regulations that see businesses as cash cows rather than agents of national development.”

Governor lauds NECA for championing enterprise in Nigeria

Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, represented by Mr. Shuaheeb Agoro, Head of Service, in Lagos State, commended NECA for its remarkable legacy of championing enterprise, competitiveness, responsible business practices and industrial harmony.

Sanwo-Olu described the award as another remarkable way of motivating employers in the private sector of the Nigerian economy.

The governor also said: “This year’s theme could not to be more apt as it speaks to the determination that Nigerian employers have continued to demonstrate in overcoming challenges to sustain businesses, create jobs and drive national development. “This resilience is a reflection of enduring entrepreneurial spirit that defines our great nation.

“The governor pointed out that the award inspires the culture of best practices in corporate governance, industrial relations, environmental sustainability and responsible business conduct.”