Dangote emerges the Guardian’s manufacturing awards CEO of the year

Nestle, Peugeot, BoI, Others Win

The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, emerged The Guardian’s Manufacturing Chief Executive Officer of the year at the maiden edition of the organisation’s Manufacturing Excellence Awards on Friday.

The awards, held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, was designed to recognise distinguished sector-players in the manufacturing industry, who have consistently outperformed in spite of prevailing economic circumstances.

Other category winners are: Dangote Group, which emerged Manufacturing Company of the Year; Peugeot-Special Recognition for indigenous automobile brand excellence and loyalty; Bank of Industry (BoI) -Special Recognition award for funding, support and development of the manufacturing sector; Guinness Nigeria Plc.,-Best Manufacturing Company in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE).

United Foods-Food Product Manufacturing Company of the year (Noodles); Erisco Foods Limited- Food Product Manufacturing Company of the year (Tomato Paste); Friesland Campina-Food Product Manufacturing Company of the year (Milk Products); Nestle Nigeria Plc., -Food Product Manufacturing Company of the year (Seasoning Cubes); UAC Food Limited- Food Product Manufacturing Company of the year (Beef Sausage Roll Snack); Guinness Plc.,-Best Manufacturing Company in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Dangote Flour Mills Plc.,-Food Product Manufacturing Company of the year (Pasta); and Chi Limited-Beverages Manufacturing Company of the year (Juice Category).

Publisher and Chairman of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, said manufacturing faced a huge challenge because of near absence of critical infrastructure.

“You would have noticed that in our 34 years of publishing, we have never given any awards beyond the annual person of the year, which, in any case, is a symbolic recognition of some significant contributions or persons or agencies or institutions in the course of the year. We would like to break this protocol for the most critical sector of the economy that we hardly give prominence in our reporting and analyses of national issues,” she said.

Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru said that despite the country’s position as an oil-rich nation, jobs could not be created neither could the value of the currency be improved without manufacturing.

She said manufacturing was key to the prosperity of many industrialised nations and urged industry players to look beyond the environmental and operational challenges and be agile, responsive and innovative.

The Special Guest of Honour, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, said it was the strategic intent of government to prioritise industrialisation.

He said it was a critical component of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), which aims to diversify the economy and attract more investment into the productive sector.

“Encouraging entrepreneurship and driving government diversification plan through the MSMEs are part of this administration’s efforts to create opportunities for local industries and MSMEs to increase local production and harness the nation’s export potentials.”