Yemisi Izuora
The Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, (CICAN) has honoured distinguished organisations and individuals both in the public and private sectors in the country at its 2024 CiCAN Conference/Awards.
The Association recognized the awardees because of their giant strides in their various fields and contributions to the economic growth of the country through their programmes, policies, innovations, and initiatives.
Some of the awardees are Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, honoured for Infrastructural Development; Muhammadu Yahaya, Governor of Gombe State, honoured for Massive Industry Revolution; and Zacch Adedeji, Chairman/CEO, FIRS, honoured for Tax Efficiency & Innovations.
Other awardees are Moniepoint MicroFinance Bank, which emerged as Fintech Company of the Year; Coco Samba, from the stable of Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited, which emerged as the Product of the Year; Barr. Victor Opara (SAN) won the Sustained Advocacy to Industrialists Award, and Moses Osime emerged as the Outstanding PR Personality of the Year.
The award ceremony and Conference was held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, with the theme, “Manufacturing: $1 trillion GDP target by 2030: Realities & Possibilities.”
Congratulating the winners of the awards, the National Chairman of CICAN, Mr. Charles Okonji, said, “CICAN has ensured the integrity of this award over the years by truly recognising individuals and organisations that deserve it, we celebrate and honour the winners for their contributions to fostering economic growth and development. We also encourage others to emulate them.”
Earlier before the awards, the theme of the event was dissected by seasoning professionals who urged the government to optimise the tax collection process, increase investment in the non-metallic mining sector of the economy; and turn to locally developed technologies made by agencies and Institutions to boost Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Industries to actualise its $1 trillion GDP target by 2030. Some of the experts who spoke at the event are Afarm Mallinson Ukatu, CEO, Mallinson & Partners; Dr. Cartney Igwe, Former Acting DG, FIIRO; Bukola Odoe, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Public Private Partnerships represented by Adefisoye Adekunle; Consultant & Financial Analyst, Lagos State office of Public and Private Partnership; and Mr. Olusola Obadimu, DG NACCIMA, represented by William Inya, Research Officer, NACCIMA..
Other dignitaries at the event are Okey Nwankwo, Communications/ Media Relations Manager, Dangote Industries Limited; Enuma Eze, Corporate Communications Manager, Rite Foods Ltd; Olufemi Ajadi, MD/CEO Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited, represented by Bukola Adegboyega and among others.
CICAN is an association of over 100 journalists, which includes print newspapers, television, radio, online newspapers, and other media platforms. The association was established 30 years ago and has been playing critical roles in the real sector of the Nigerian economy through its members’ news reportage.