Benedict Peters, initially identified for founding Aiteo, has considerably contributed to the company panorama and social welfare, incomes him respect and admiration throughout Africa and past. For these causes and extra, he’s the selection of LEADERSHIP Newspapers as Enterprise Individual of the Yr.
He additionally established Bravura, Africa’s main rising indigenous mining large. Beneath his management, each conglomerates have earned distinctive distinctions via a particular mix of dedication to sustainable practices and innovation of their respective sectors.
His accomplishments in imprinting each entities’ footprint and visibility have change into legendary, resulting in a diversified portfolio that features oil and mining firms. His journey is a story of entrepreneurial success and a testomony to the facility and influence of defining innovation coupled with the arrogance to implement and execute.
Peters’ enterprise acumen is characterised by his potential to establish alternatives the place others see challenges. His method to management is grounded in a transparent imaginative and prescient that transcends mere profitability; he seeks to create long-term worth that advantages not solely stakeholders but in addition the communities during which his firms function. This twin focus is obvious in his strategic selections, which prioritise environmental sustainability, social duty, and operational effectivity. This method has enabled him to successfully navigate the complexities of the oil and mining sectors, recognising the potential for progress amidst volatility. Peters understands that in an period of accelerating demand from ever-changing technological developments and excessive scrutiny on environmental influence, companies should adapt to new expectations. His dedication to operational excellence is obvious in his insistence on steady enchancment and innovation, reinforcing a tradition that values adaptability and resilience.
To raised recognize his accomplishments, some private historic context is important. In abstract, although working with a low-profile angle, Peters is a foremost indigenous oil and fuel sector participant, working in his personal proper since 1999. In time, Aiteo moved from a downstream start-up to a number one vitality conglomerate with investments in hydrocarbon exploration and manufacturing. This entity has now morphed into Africa’s main unbiased indigenous oil producer. From the pervading adversity of crude theft and unlawful refining that adversely impacted oil manufacturing in Nigeria, Peters astutely masterminded the introduction of the “Nembe Crude mix” into the market. A primary within the trade by an indigenous entity, it’s a pioneering milestone within the international vitality panorama. Aiteo grew to become the primary indigenous African firm to call its distinctive mix of sunshine crude oil. This signifies a historic juncture the place home-grown experience and visionary management produced a real game-changer inside Africa’s strong vitality sector. It’s important to state that this crude grade boasts premium qualities and uniqueness as a light-weight crude. Its emergence was the product of the conception and introduction of another evacuation route that was achieved with the collaboration with NNPC, which resulted in crude oil being transported from a wholly totally different route utilising a third-party different evacuation system comprising infield processing and storage, crude transportation and terminal storage. Aiteo’s plans to speculate closely in buying extra offshore belongings, with a projected complete output of 250,000 bpd within the quick to medium time period, are appreciable and can entail a dedication of billions of {dollars}, which can considerably influence the nation’s total income except for its impact on job creation and different financial advantages.
Peters and 25 different distinguished people and organisations who’ve made distinctive contributions to governance, enterprise, social influence, and public service in Nigeria have been nominated by the LEADERSHIP Newspapers’ board of editors after in depth deliberations at a gathering held in November 2024 on the firm’s headquarters in Abuja.
Peters and different nominees will probably be celebrated for his or her excellent management, imaginative and prescient, and dedication to nationwide growth on the LEADERSHIP Convention and Awards ceremony subsequent 12 months.
Alhaji Aliko Mohammad Dangote, Nigeria’s foremost industrialist and philanthropist, gained the Individual Of The Yr Award for immensely contributing to the nation’s economic system. His philanthropic efforts make him a deserving recipient of this highest honour.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, gained the 2024 Quinquennial Award For Governance and Infrastructure, a uncommon recognition by the LEADERSHIP Group Restricted.
Additionally, for 2024, six state governors have been collectively nominated for the governor of the Yr award. They’re Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom, Mallam Umar A. Namadi of Jigawa State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke of Osun State.
The governors have been recognised for driving sustainable progress, infrastructural growth, and coverage improvements of their respective states.
Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji, GMD/CEO of Zenith Financial institution Plc, clinched the Banker of the Yr award for her position in remodeling the banking trade.
Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), Comptroller-Normal of Customs, emerged because the Public Service Individual of the Yr for his distinctive management in enhancing the effectivity of Nigeria’s Customs Service (NCS).
Different outstanding enterprise leaders, together with the CEO of NORD Cars Ltd, Oluwatobi Ajayi, gained the CEO of the Yr award for the Personal Sector) whereas Bamanga Usman Jada, MD/CEO of the Oil & Gasoline Free Zone Authority, clinched the CEO of the Yr award for the Public Sector.
AVSATEL Communications Restricted gained the Firm of the Yr award in different award classes, whereas ARCO Engineering Restricted is the Oil & Gasoline Native Content material Champion of the Yr.
The Social Affect Individual of the Yr award will probably be introduced to Olori Ivie Atuwatse III for her tireless efforts in championing training and healthcare initiatives. OPAY gained the Fintech Firm of the Yr award for selling monetary inclusion in Nigeria. On the identical time, Various Financial institution clinched the Most Progressive Financial institution of the Yr award for its pioneering work in digital banking.
Minister of Surroundings Balarabe Abbas Lawal will probably be honoured as Environmental Affect Individual of the Yr for his management in advancing environmental insurance policies and addressing local weather change.
The Excellent Younger Individual of the Yr 2024 award will go to the ENACTUS staff from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka College, Makurdi. They’re recognised for championing innovation and sustainability. Terra Dice will obtain the Product of the Yr award for its revolutionary options in sustainable residing.
