Dangote, Nestle, NLNG Recognised for Impactful Investment in SDGs at 2024 NECA Awards

Dangote Industries Limited, Heirs Holdings, MTN Nigeria Plc, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Tropical General Investments Group (TGI), and Nestle Nigeria Plc were among corporate organisations that shined at the

Dangote Industries Limited, Heirs Holdings, MTN Nigeria Plc, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Tropical General Investments Group (TGI), and Nestle Nigeria Plc were among corporate organisations that shined at the Annual Employers’ Excellence Awards 2024, organised by Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), with the theme, “Defying The Odds.”

The award, which took place on Friday at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, was geared towards promoting and encouraging best practices in corporate performance, people management, and industrial relations practices among employers in Nigeria.

Dangote Industries, Heirs Holdings, Emerging Africa Group Limited, and Channels TV were recipients of “Visible Impact Award:  Resilience & Entrepreneurship,” while Nestle Nigeria PLC, Urban Shelter Nigeria Limited, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, and GB Foods Nigeria received the “Visible Impact Award: Investment in SDG and Green Projects.”

In addition, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) received the “Visible Impact Award: OPS Support and Empowerment.”

Similarly, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), were recipients of “Visible Impact:  Public Service.”

The recipients of the Employers of the Year Award were MTN Nigeria Communications Plc., Fidson Healthcare Plc., and NLNG.

Many other companies received various categories of award during the night.

President of NECA, Dr. Ifeanyi Eric Okoye, said the award ceremony was to celebrate the excellence, resilience, innovation and unwavering commitment demonstrated by businesses across the various sectors of the Nigerian economy in 2024.  

Okoye said the theme for this year’s award, “Defying the Odds,” reflected the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian enterprises that had consistently risen to the challenges posed by the dynamic and demanding local and global economic landscape.

He said, “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.

“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.”

Director General of NECA, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, explained that the awards were a statement that irrespective of the challenges “we have been facing since January till now, there is time for all of us to sit down and 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.