THISDAY, one of Nigeria’s leading newspapers recently awarded people, leaders and corporates with the most impact in year 2008. The 14th THISDAY Awards celebrated excellence and good governance while promoting the best of Nigeria by recognizing those making a difference in our lives, year after year.

Winners emerged after an online vote by the Awards Selection Committee, made up of all past THISDAY award winners and members of the THISDAY Board of Editors.
 
And the winners are…

Nigeria’s Global Business Champion
Dangote Group

Nigeria’s Global Banking Champion
Zenith Bank

Banker of the Year
Erastus Akingbola
MD/CEO, Intercontinental Bank

Bank of the Year
Diamond Bank

Most Improved Bank
Bank PHB

Best Bank Payment System
Access Bank Visa Card

Company of the Year
Guinness Nigeria Plc

Brand of the Year
Glo

Product of the Year
Dansa Juice

Oil and Gas Company of the Year
Oando Plc

ICT Company of the Year
Visaphone

Airline of the Year
Arik Air

CEO of Year
Tayo Aderinokun
MD/CEO, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

Entrepreneur of the Year
Oba Otudeko
Chairman, Honeywell Group

Hotel of the Year
Federal Palace Hotel

Insurance Company of the Year
Staco Insurance Plc

Pension Fund Manager of the Year
IBTC Pensions

Regulator of the Year
National Pension Commission

Govt Agency of the Year
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

Young Manager of the Year
Ladi Balogun
MD/CEO, First City Monument Bank Plc

Equity of the Year
United Bank for Africa Plc

My thoughts

I think that the awards recognised and celebrated Nigeria’s excellence in 2008 even though some have criticised the THISDAY Awards as political. However, I’m more concerned about Nigeria’s ICT Company of the Year - Visafone, the newest mobile phone company that is wholly Nigerian-owned voted the Best Telecom Brand in Nigeria at the 2008 edition of the Nigeria Telecom Awards.

Visafone unveiled its brand and services about a year ago on February 22, 2008 and became the first telecoms company in Nigeria to roll out commercial operations in 12 states and over 40 cities from day one.  In less than a year after commencing operations Visafone has crossed a subscriber base of one million largely enabled by its aggressive entrance and ability to put its mouth where its money is by giving Nigerians value for money.