By Taiye Olayemi
The Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Drlf Umaru Kwairanga, has commended the Pearl Awards for sustaining three decades of excellence in recognising and promoting high standards in Nigeria’s capital market.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary Corporate Summit of the Pearl Awards held in Lagos on Tuesday, Kwairanga described the initiative as Nigeria’s foremost corporate recognition platform that has consistently rewarded companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange for exceptional performance.
The summit, themed “Built to Last: A Roadmap for Corporate Nigeria,” also featured discussions on corporate resilience and sustainability, aligning with the awards’ mission of encouraging best practices and institutional excellence.
Kwairanga noted that the Pearl Awards have, over the years, played a vital role in promoting leadership, innovation and transformation in the country’s capital market. According to him, such recognition not only encourages higher performance among listed companies but also supports the NGX Group’s drive for world-class corporate standards.
“Sustaining the Pearl Awards for thirty years at such a high level of organisation and relevance is a testament to the vision and dedication of its founder, Mr Tayo Orekoya, the Board of Governors, and the entire management team.
“They have built an institution that reflects the very theme of today’s summit, built to last,” he said.
Highlighting key ingredients for institutional longevity, the NGX Chairman outlined a practical roadmap which includes having a strong idea, excellent execution, building resilient structures, nurturing talent, upholding consistent quality, and diversifying appropriately.
He said these principles, along with insights to be shared by summit speakers and panellists, would help build enduring corporations that could thrive beyond their founders and compete globally.
Kwairanga also welcomed the planned unveiling of a book chronicling winning strategies of Nigeria’s top-performing companies, describing it as a valuable resource for emerging entrepreneurs and business leaders. He congratulated the organisers on the milestone and expressed optimism that the Pearl Awards would continue to contribute to the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s corporate landscape.