By Emmanuel Uffot
A total of 28 organisations, corporate bodies, individuals and state Governors were the recipient’s of the 2023 edition of the annual New Telegraph Newspaper Award which took place in Lagos last Saturday.
Prominent among the organisations that filed out to receive the award was Zenith Bank Plc.
The bank which is one of the frontline second generation commercial banks in Nigeria, with a healthy capital was adjudged, the Most Sustainable Bank of The Year. The feat by the bank, rub off positively on their Chief Executive Officer Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu who won the award as Bank CEO of the year.
Another awardee in the banking sector was United Bank for Africa ( UBA).
The Pan- African Bank with subsidiaries in many African Countries and United Kingdom among others, won the Bank of the Year to add to its other awards it and it’s subsidiaries across eight African nations won in 2023.
Unity Bank, completed the three banks that won the New Telegraph Award as it was bestowed with award as The Friendly Bank of the Year.
Joining the banks in carting the award was FBN Holdings.
The frontline Holding Company which is a subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The Institution got the Holding Company of the Year award.
Transcorp, a Nigerian conglomerate that has some top businessmen and outfits having stake in it, won the Conglomerate of the Year Award.
For Airtel mobile, one of the mobile telecommunication providers in Nigeria, beat three others, MTN, Globacom and Etisalat to clinch the Telecommunication Provider of the Year prize.
In the automobile sector, an indigenous vehicle manufacturer Innoson Vehicle Manufacturer, won the New Telegraph Newspaper Automobile Company of the Year.
Similarly in the energy sector, the convener/ organisers, found Seplat Energy worthy for nomination as the Outstanding Energy Company of the Year.
In another category, one of the electricity transmission/ distribution companies in Nigeria, NDPHC was named Outstanding Transmission/ Distribution Company of the Year.
Still under organisations, ERISCO, won Indigenous Company of the Year, while the Presidential Amnesty Programme ( PAP) set up to rehabilitate Niger Delta Militants by organising skills for them as empowerment, won the Innovative Government Agency of the Year.
University of Ilorin was honoured as the University of the Year at the expense of premier prominent public Universities like Ibadan, Lagos, Ife, Ahmadu Bello and private ones like Covenant, Redeemers and Igbenedion.
The five governors that were recipients of the New Telegraph Newspaper Award for 2023 were Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Governor of the Year ( Infrastructure and Development), Peter Mbah of Enugu- Governor of the Year on Courage in Leadership and Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Governor of the Year ( Human Capital Development).
Others were Bala Mohammed of Bauchi- Governor of the Year on Health, Inuwa Yahaya, Governor of the Year on Education and Nasir Idris, Governor of the Year on Agricultural Development.
Barrister Mike Ozekhome ( SAN) won the Legal Icon of the Year, Mr Moruf Oseni- Digital Bank MD the Year, Dr Chima Amadi- Social Crusader of the Year, Hon Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo – Outstanding Minister of the Year, Dr Tayo Adiatu – Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Fuad Atanda Lawal – Outstanding Local Government Council Chairman of the Year.
Other awardees that completed the 28 were a security service agency, Tantha Security Service that won Security Company of the Year, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies won Legislative Support Institute of the Year and Bayo and Bunmi Babalola Foundation was adjudged the Outstanding NGO of the Year.
The New Telegraph Newspaper Award is one the National Newspapers that give out awards annually to individuals, corporate organisations, Governors among others.
Other media houses that organised annual awards include The Sun Newspaper like New Telegraph also owned by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, The Leadership Newspaper owned by late Sam Nda-Isaiah and Daily Trust Newspaper piloted by Kabir Yusuf.
