It was a ni ght of accolades for Africa’s foremost business Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited ( DIL ), as Journalists in Lagos State Conferred an award of excellence on the group for its outstanding contribution to the economic development of Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. The award, according to the Journalists was in recognition of Dangote’s aggressive employment generation drive, which has seen thousands of youths gainfully employed in the Group as well as the commitment of provision of critical infrastructure. The award presentation was during the Gala/Award Nite to marked the end of the 2023 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Lagos State Council, where Corporate Organizations and Individuals were also recognised for their immense contributions to the society. The Lagos State Council of NUJ award for Dangote came barely a week after the Conglomerate emerged as Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand for the sixth consecutive year , an achievement that was announced the brand and marketing firm TOP 50 BRANDS NIGERIA, as part of its comprehensive 2023 Top Brands perception assessment. Dangote Cement Plc, a subsidiary DIL is the leading producers of Cement in the Country and employs more than 65, 000 direct workers and over 100, 000 indirect across all its plants. The Journalists specifically lauded Dangote Group over the leading roles played by the company regarding backward integration in the Cement and Sugar Industries with continuous expansion of its operation, both within and outside the country, which has transform the nation from being import dependent to self sufficiency and thereby creating the much needed jobs for the employable youths. The Chairman, Lagos State Council of NUJ, Adeleye Ajayi in his address of welcome said the council set aside the Gala Nite as an occasion for his administration to reflect on its major landmarks, roll out the drums and celebrate excellence by recognising those Individuals, organisations who have made the journey eventful for the Council over the year. As part of the landmarks recorded in the last three years, the Lagos Council boss enumerated some of the achievements to include the successful completion of the building of new NUJ Secretariat Complex, training and retraining of Journalists and allocation of lands to the subscribers to the council estate project at Abaren in Ogun State. Mr. Ajayi also disclosed that Lagos State Council was almost completing the process of establishing a Community radio station for the council, adding that the NUJ is awaiting the issuance of a radio license by the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ), also of note is the renaming of the popular NUJ Light House in Victoria Island to Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ) House in honour of the founding father of Journalism Profession in Nigeria and former governor of Lagos State who passed on recently. Giving a goodwill message, an accomplishment and award winning Journalist, now the Queen of Apomu – Land, Her Majesty Olori Janet Afolabi, commended the Ajayi – led administration for its achievements so far and urged it not to rest on its oars. She decried the plight of media practitioners in the present day economic crunch and insecurity, but charged them not to succumb to temptation of sacrificing the ethics of the profession. Describing the role of Journalists in society as indispensable, the Olori advised Journalists to report more happening at the grassroots as many people at that level are suffering and their plight needs to be reported to elicit positive response from the appreciate quarters. In Organisation Category of the award were Dangote Group, Airtel Networks Nigeria Limited and Nigeria Breweries Plc; while Individuals Conferred with awards included Senator Representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Tokunbo Mikhail Abiru, Honourable Adewale Adedeji Representing Ifako – Ijaye Constituency two in the Lagos State House of Assembly and Mr. Fola Adeyemi a former Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy. Other recipients were Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan ex – Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State and the Director – General Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Professor Hussain Ibrahim. Speaking on behalf of the Corporate Organisations award recipients, Mr. Francis Awowole – Browne of the Dangote Group stated that the Corporate bodies cherished the award and it will serves as as the required catalyst to continue to deliver goods and services that ultimately transform country’s economy. He thanked the NUJ for the honour, and described the awards as a call to better partnership with the members of the Pen Profession in the task of building a better Nigeria that can hold its own in the comity of nations. According to him; The Dangote Group has continued to gather global recognition through its expansion into other countries. These accomplishments, he said were a clear demonstration of the Group’s resolve to be the number one in Africa in meeting the needs of the people. The event was attended by the South West leaders of the Union ably led by Vice – President B Zone, Mrs Ronke Samo. Others who were also in attendance are the Deputy Comptroller Nigeria Custom Service, Haniel Hadision , General Manager of Lagos Television, Olori Adesola Kosoko, the General Manager of Radio Lagos/ Eko FM, Olajide Lawal and that of Traffic Radio, Eyitayo Akanle and Elders and Leaders of the Union amongst others.
