SUMMER DISPATCHES: THE 5TH AFRICAN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARDS DINNER

– Recognizing and celebrating development and achievements in the African Homeland!

Here is the second in this series of blogs and you could read up the background and initial post at http://kingdomstreet.blogspot.com/2014/09/summer-dispatches-2014-notting-hill.html?spref=tw

When I walked into Le Meridien Piccadilly London that cool summer evening, the drinks reception at the ante room had just ended. As I pulled out my invitation letter, I was ushered into the main banquet hall, venue for the 5^th African Business Leadership Awards Dinner.

Dr. Orhii (DG, NAFDAC) with Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler

Contrary to my expectations, not many people had turned up, but soon the hall swelled up with the arrival of more guests, awardees, their friends and family members.  Put together by Dr. Ken Giami and his team at African Leadership Magazine, the awards were aimed at showcasing and celebrating the best leaders and achievers from around Africa. That objective scored well if one reckoned with the caliber and diversity of the awardees coupled with the special guest appearance of Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler – Chair, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, USA. In her moving remarks, she praised the economic powerhouse that is Africa, and pointed out the need for cooperation between the African nations and her native America, particularly with black business persons. Dee Dawkins drew an analogy with the Jews and Asians who have perfected the business art of ‘keeping it within the family’ in terms of cooperation and supporting one another to prosper.

 

Awardees with Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler

After dinner was served, proceedings moved quickly to the main business of the day – awards - of which  the recipients were spread broadly across the regions of Africa; but expectedly Nigeria and West Africa had the greater share. Of note among Nigerians were the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Control (NAFDAC), the Director General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), and the MD/CEO of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc, all of whom were present with their entourage to pick up their awards. 

The awardees also used the opportunity to highlight their areas of competence and what they have been able to achieve, to blow their own horns if you will. DR. Paul Orhii in a multi-media presentation spoke glowingly of the intra and inter governmental efforts to combat fake and substandard drugs whilst pointing out that the battle with Ebola was almost won and the nation on the verge of being certified free. I was particularly interested in that part of the presentation so I could plot my re-entry strategy to Lagos! Events have since proved that I needed not lose sleep – thank God for the efforts of government at all levels. 

 

Celebrating Dr. Orhii and Mrs. Dupe Atoki (DG, CPC)

Mrs. Dupe Atoki, erudite lawyer and erstwhile Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Human & People’s Rights, had recently taken over as the Director General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC). She elaborated on the mandate of the council and its effort to execute same including bringing world renowned brands to book where they infringed on consumer rights! Government’s policy on power was also brought to the fore when Engineer Oladele Amoda told the gathering of the exciting developments in that sector. I could confirm that some of the efforts are paying off as I was greeted by an unusual level of power stability on return to Lagos...

I may not be privy to the benchmark for choice of awardees, but the awards did celebrate excellence and encouraged all leaders to aspire in their various fields of endeavor. Someone is watching and you may just be in line for the next award!

Last Line:  There is a day of reckoning, when we will be asked to give account. What will be your answer and reward? Matthew 25:14-18 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. NIV

I encourage you to put your talents to good use. To find out more about God and how you can have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, visit any Bible believing church near you, or: CHAPEL OF DESTINY RESTORATION CHURCH, 2 Akinlabi Lane, off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, by Round About Bus Stop, Ikeja. Lagos.