Interswitch, Lafarge, others bag IoD awards

Mr Mitchell Elegbe, Managing Director, Interswitch, a payment and transaction company, was on Wednesday conferred with the 2021 Institute of Directors (IoD) Entrepreneurial award.

Dr Ije Jidenma, president, IoD, said at the ceremony in Lagos, the award was based on Elegbe’s contribution to entrepreneurship drive and development in Nigeria.

Lafarge Africa Plc also received the IoD Corporate Governance award for embodying corporate governance principles on its board and across the organisation.

Other winners at the ceremony were: Dr Nosike Agokei, conferred with the IoD Director Development award and Ms Benedicta Molokwu, Woman Director award for the advancement of female directorship.

Jidenma said the event was an avenue to recognise well deserving directors in public and private sectors via awards in various categories.

She tasked directors to reflect on the activities of the outgoing year and proffer solutions to boost the economy in the incoming year through well thought out policies.

The IoD president reiterated that the institute would continue to advocate viable policy options that would do the country good in spite of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“The IoD with renewed vigour has been pursuing the charter status of the institute and has recorded great success with the bill currently in the Senate and hopeful to get the president’s assent soon.”

“The construction of the IoD house has also gathered more steam and by next year, the project would have effectively taken off.”

“2022 is projected to be a year of new opportunities with improved engagements with members and all other stakeholders,” she said.

Dr Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), encouraged directors to embody and practice principles of good corporate governance culture to spur national development.

Danbatta was represented by Mr Ayobanji Ojo, Head, Strategy, Corporate Planning and Risk Management, NCC.

He listed the 5G spectrum technology signing by MTN and MAFAB as a recent achievement of the NCC, saying the development offered great benefits to the Nigerian communication sector.

“5G would offer higher download of up to 10G per second and can connect more diverse devices not withstanding number of users in the areas,” he said.

Mrs Ifueko Okauru, Managing Partner, Compliance Professionals Plc, charged directors and the Nigeria youth to embrace the habit of speaking up to influence leadership and governance to make the society better.