Memories From The 20th PEARL Awards Nite 2015

The PEARL Awards Nite has come and gone but the fond memories from that event are not to be forgotten in a hurry. It was a night of glamour, and glitz as corporate Nigeria and the diplomatic community came out to celebrate achievers operating on the Financial and Capital market of the nation’s economy. The event was billed to be a classic as the aisle leading to the red carpet was lined with memorable pictures telling the PEARL Awards story as far back as 1995.

From the exhibition gallery, guests took time out on the red carpet for photo sessions and interviews before heading into the cocktail room which was a novel for the Awards event as it marked 20 years of rewarding and celebrating excellence among capital market operators.

The evening started with a sonorous rendition of the national anthem by Pat Willy, thereafter  the PEARL Awards Chairman, Alhaji Umaru Abdullahi expressed appreciation to all that had made the event a reality while also congratulating awards winners for their achievements and encouraging them to sustain their strive at excellence.

On the other hand, the President of the Awards, Tayo Orekoya eulogised the winners at the Awards urging them to maintain their leadership status. He further posited that the Awards were merit based and this has resulted in the credibility, integrity, and transparency associated with the Awards over the years.

Beyond the annual Awards Nite, there are other initiatives being undertaken by the Awards project which have strengthened the capacity and knowledge base of the capital market. These include the Annual Public Lecture for Capital Market Development, publication of the Nigeria Stock Market Annual, and the Winning Strategies of Nigeria’s Corporate Giants.

The other highlights of the event were goodwill messages from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by Mrs Teju Phillips, a former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry with the Lagos State Government and also from Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, Former Chairman Larfarge. Following their messages the president of the Awards on his part equally paid glowing tributes posthumously to doyens of the Capital Market, who passed on within the year, Gamaliel Onosode, Chief Dennis Onyemaechi Odife, and Chief Molade Okoya Thomas.

The 20^th anniversary cake cutting occasion witnessed much pomp and pageantries to the delight of all in attendance. The tempo for the night was heightened with the drum beat artistry exhibited by the iconic Ara, and this was laced with performances from the Explicit dance group.

Awards presented during the event were for Sectorial Leadership, Market Excellence, Good Corporate Governance, and Issuing House of the Year, Stock Broking Firm of the Year, NASD OTC Participating Institutions, and NASD OTC Traded Securities Awards.  In the Special Honorary Awards category, Apostle Hayford Alile for Capital Market Development, Akin Ogunbiyi (Mutual Benefit) was adjudged the CEO of the year 2015, Simon Ejembi was voted Capital Market Journalist of the Year, While Proshare Web TV was distinguished with an award for best Capital Market Reporting.

The high point of the event was the presentation of ‘The PEARL’ of the Capital Market to Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc who emerged as ‘the Overall Highest Award’ winner of the Awards Nite, which gives them the bragging rights as toast of the Capital Market.  Receiving the Award, the Group Managing Director, Mr Akin Ogunbiyi said the Awards is a clear testimony to the hard work and dedication put in by every member of the group and this would definitely distinguish them from the competition. The Awards Nite has come and gone but the fond memory lingers on.