Access Bank MD Pronounced West Africa Entrepreneur of the Year

Mr. Aigboje – Aig- Imoukhuede , The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank has emerged winner of this year’s “2011 Ernst & Young West Africa Entrepreneur of The Year” award at the inaugural awards in West Africa.

“Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year” is a business awards program that recognises visionary and inspiring leaders who are shrewd and capable to seize opportunities.

A judge for awards, Mr. Joe Tackie, said the criteria for selection of the finalists were based on the entrepreneurial spirits of the finalists, how they started their businesses and the impact on the society at large, their personal integrity, innovation and their financial performance.

He said the finalists demonstrated that there were companies that could be considered as global and could compete with any other company anywhere in the world.

Mr. Henry Egbiki, the Regional Managing Partner, Ernst & Young West Africa, said, said the company is looking for visionaries who have demonstrated strong entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and whose ingenuity, hard work, perseverance, strength and agility have created a successful and growing business.

Egbeki, stated that Africa has about 60 per cent of uncultivated land which is key to unlocking the food crisis being faced world over. Adding that with the natural resources available in the continent of Africa, sustained infrastructure and a desire to be part of the global economy, it was no surprise that many overseas investors have identified Africa as the land of opportunity.

“Africa and West Africa in particular is a place of hope and opportunities. Today developing countries are struggling with their economies but Africa is stable. In fact forecasts have shown that in the new five years, seven counties out of 10 emerging economies in the Africa will be among the top countries and Nigeria and Ghana are among.” Egbeki said.

Imoukhuede won the overall award in the Master Entrepreneur category while Onajite Okoloko, Group Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Notore Chemicals Industries Limited won the award in the Emerging Entrepreneur category.

Chairman and Managing Director Pan Ocean Oil Corporation, Dr Festus Fadeyi also bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Imoukhuede said, “We will continue leverage our advantages on efficient operation. The key to this success is to never stand still. I am continuously looking for something new, interesting and something that will add value to our stakeholders. Our greatest satisfaction remains delivering results for our clients.