The former National President of Nigerian Associations of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture ( NACCIMA) and current Mayor of Aba Council, Ide John C. Udagbala, a veteran manufacturer, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Spectra Industries Limited, alongside the Chairman of National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASMEs) Lagos State Chapter, Professor Adams Adebayo are amongst the distinguished Nigerians who were honoured with the prestigious Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) 2023 award for excellence, at the association’s recently held Workshop/Award ceremony which took place in Lagos.

Other eminent Nigerians, who also got award include the Chief Executive Officer of Centre for Private Practice Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf; Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barrister Victor Opara, and a senior employee of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Hadiza Olaosebikan also got the association’s award.

Also, the African biggest manufacturer, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; the Director General Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Head of Dangote Group Image maker Mr. Tony Chejina are the other awardees.

The event, which had “Effects of The Federal Government’s Tax Reforms on The Economy”, as its theme, attracted top manufacturers, businessmen and women, and government’s functionaries from the country and Europe.

This is made known in a statement jointly signed by CICAN National Chairman, Mr. Charles Okonji and the event’s Chairperson, Princess Funmi Adeoye.

According to the association’s statement, the awardees were carefully selected by the association’s panel, who have carefully followed their immense contributions to the country’s economy.

The statement added that Udagbala was honoured for his great strides in the business front and his unprecedented support to the association over the years.

The statement noted that the veteran manufacturer, Chief Duro Kuteyi, who is the founder of Spectra Industries Limited got the association’s award for his ” Resilience, consistency and sustainability ” in manufacturing sector despite the myriad of challenges his firm and other local manufacturing firms have had to grapple with, leading to the exit of many multinational and local manufacturing companies from the country over the years.

The statement added that Yusuf was honoured for “Championing private sector cause”, for decades from his days as the Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( LCCI) to his current position as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Centre of Private Practice Enterprise (CPPE).

The statement further stated that Yusuf is one of the most respected voice when it comes to economic issues, adding that he has consistently deployed his skills and knowledge to champions the cause of local businesses.

The statement also disclosed that Prof Adams Adebayo, who is the Chairman of NASME, Lagos Branch, was recognised for his passion for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Lagos State.

The statement noted that Hadiza Olaosebikan, the image maker of the Bank of Industry (BOI) was recognised for her “Efficient, resourceful and cautious” disposition to her colleagues in the media.

The statement added that Olaosebikan is very popular and likable fellow to her colleagues in the media.

The statement noted that Mr. Tony Chejina was honoured for the feat he has attained in the field of communication as an expert.

The statement revealed that Chejina was honoured as the “Corporate Communications expert of the decade” for his contributions to corporate communications over the years, both from his days in the banking sector to his current field in the manufacturing sector.

The statement concluded that Alhaji Aliko Dangote was given the award due to his “Revolutionizing manufacturing on the Africa continent”.

The statement said the association is awed by Dangote’s giant strides on the continent’s manufacturing sector, hence the need for him to be given the association’s award.