GBCHealth bestowed its 2015 Business Leaderships Awards to Nigerian businessmen and philanthropists Aliko Dangote and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede for their steadfast commitment to global health in their own country and globally. The Awards were presented at high-level Dinner held on July 24th, 2015 in Lagos, Nigeria and attended by prominent members from Nigerian business, government and civil society. Access Bank Plc was also honored at the event for its efforts in support of sustainability and Mrs. Rose Agbi received accolades for her community work.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman and CEO of the Dangote Group, received the 2015 Richard C. Holbrooke Business Leadership Award for Outstanding Contribution to Global Health, GBCHealth’s most prestigious Award. Named after the organization’s founding President and CEO Richard Holbrooke, the Award recognizes Mr. Dangote’s dedication to improving the lives of others through partnerships and advocacy. Mr. Dangote has been provided leadership in the fight to eradicate polio, served as an ambassador and advocate on malaria issues, and created high-impact business alliances such as the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria.
The 2015 Vision and Impact Award was presented to Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and GBCHealth Co-Board Chair, for his work engaging the Nigerian private sector in local, national and global campaigns to improve health. Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede’s efforts have demonstrated that African businesses can exercise strong leadership in financing programs that address the continent’s health challenges.
GBCHealth conferred its first-ever Business Leadership in Sustainability Award to Access Bank Plc in recognition of the company’s commitment to the health and sustainability agendas. For close to a decade, Access Bank has established itself as one of the most active and influential institutions in both the Nigerian financial sector and across Africa in the fields of sustainability and health. When other banks were reluctant to address stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS in the early 2000s, Access Bank paved the way for inclusion and equality for employees living with HIV through strong workplace policies. It was also the first company to implement the Sustainable Banking Principles in Nigeria, which today have been adopted by all banks nationwide.
Finally, the annual Frontline Hero Award, presented to an “every day ambassador” who delivers health services and support to community members, was given to Mrs. Rose Agbi, Former President of the Nigerian Midwives Association. Observing high infant and maternal mortality rates in her homeland, Mrs. Agbi organized midwives to work as a united front through the establishment of the Midwives Association. Mrs. Agbi also played a role in creating the Confederation of African Midwives Associations in 2012.
From L-R: Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mrs. Nancy Wildfeir-Field, President of GBCHealth; Mrs. Rose Agbi, Former President of the Nigerian Midwives Association; Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc; Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director/Chief Operating Officer of Dangote Foundation (accepting the award on behalf of Mr. Aliko Dangote); and Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head of Sustainability of Access Bank Plc.
The Business Leadership Awards Dinner was held in conjunction with the GBCHealth and Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA), annual technical forum entitled The Road to 2020: Mobilizing the Private Sector in Nigeria’s Fight Against Malaria. Held in partnership with the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), the event convened leading Nigerian businesses currently involved in malaria activities, as well as governments and research institutions working to make a positive impact on the health of the country. For more information on the forum, click here.