On Friday, the Forbes Award will be given to Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State; His Royal Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the emir of Kano; Gen. Buba Marwa, the head of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency; and Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, the director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA.
While Dr. Mrs. Onikepo Akande will present a message of goodwill, Ado-Bayero will get the Most Outstanding Traditional Ruler Award from Forbes, Gen. Marwa Health Safety Award of Excellence, Outstanding Corporate Governance CEO will be going to Abdullahi, and Abiodun will receive the Forbes Best of Africa Governor of Industrial Revolution.
The Deputy Chief Whip of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Chidubem Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, will receive the Best of Africa Excellent Service Award, while the President, American Institute of Certified Professionals, Dr. Christopher Irene Imumolen, will receive the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award;
In addition, Richard Nii Armah Quaye, Founder and Board Chairman Quick credit/Oya micro credit &Founder/CEO, Quick Angels limited who will be honoured with Forbes Best Of Africa Distinguished Entrepreneur Award, and Dr. Kofi Amoa-Abban (CEO Rigworld International Services Limited) Outstanding Business Leader in Oil and Gas.
In a statement on Thursday, Chairman of Foreign Investment Network (FIN), Olayinka Fayomi who is the organizer of the event said that FIN, in partnership with Forbes has for decades, identified emerging economies in Africa; seeking investors and have exposed those investment gaps to Forbes Billionaires and international investors.
Throwing more light on the event which would take place during a virtual symposium with the title “Leadership and Investment” on Friday, Fayomi said that Mark Furlong, President of Forbes Best of Africa custom will personally handover the awards.
She said: “Over the years, Foreign Investment Network has worked together with Forbes Best of Africa to attract quality Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Oil and Gas, Aviation, Agriculture, Health care, Education, and Infrastructure to the continent of Africa.
“The Forum will also discuss how development and investments can be utilized as a mechanism to accelerate the emergence of an inclusive and innovative society.”
She continued by explaining that the Forbes Award is only given to people and corporate organizations who have excelled in a number of different endeavors. She claimed that Forbes recognizes those who value a higher purpose, honesty, and creative business strategies for the benefit of humanity as a whole.
According to her, the event will serve as a launch pad for the international business community to explore investment opportunities in Africa and other emerging markets. “It will stimulate wider investment exchange between countries/organizations towards a prosperous Africa and also serve as a platform for states to build partnerships, foster business relationships, improve financial inclusion, strengthen local currencies, improve global financial operations and create balanced economic policies”.
She continued by pointing out that the unstable economic environment and inefficient economic policies in Africa have frequently turned away many investors from the area.
“One of our greatest challenges at Foreign Investment Network (FIN) has been to attract investors who understand the risks of investing in the African continent due to political volatility and inadequate infrastructure.
“We have over the years carved a strategy that has assisted our clients understand the fragile nature of democracy in Africa. We have developed a system that builds a buffer around their investment even when there are disruptions of democratic structure.”
She expressed hope that the symposium and award ceremony will serve as a catalyst for increased trust in the business environment in Africa among foreign investors, encouraging them to invest there for a higher return on investment.
