From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
IT was another day of glory for the Chairman of Slok Holdings Limited and Publisher of The Sun Newspapers, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday as the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) conferred an award of ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year’ on him.
He was honoured by the UIAA along with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who was honoured with the ‘Alumnus of the Year’ award. He bagged a Bachelor of Science in Economics of the university in 1963.
The luncheon and award ceremony was held at Bishop Richard Finn Auditorium, Catholic Centre, University of Ibadan. Apart from Kalu and Odigie-Oyegun, 56 other distinguished alumni of the premier university were also garlanded with awards.
The National President of UIAA, Dr. Kemi Emina, said Kalu was conferred with the award in appreciation of his entrepreneurial spirit and for providing the right mentorship for the young ones.
SLOK Holdings founded by Kalu is a wholly owned Nigerian consortium of companies that is involved in a wide array of operations, with strong presence in West Africa.
The group operates in all sectors of the economy, with strong footing in oil and gas, banking and finance, media and publishing, real estate, trading, manufacturing, insurance, tourism and hospitality.
The awards were presented in five categories, such as lifetime achievement, worthy ambassador, most distinguished alumnus, single awards and alumnus of the year.
Prince Kunle Oyewumi, who received the award on behalf of Kalu, described the publisher as a unique Nigerian that has provided employment for Nigerians and foreign nationals through his entrepreneurial endevour. He urged the country to look beyond oil and gas, adding that areas of investments such as tourism and agriculture should be looked into for a glorious future for the country.
Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, thanked UIAA for the honour.
Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who presented the award to Odigie-Oyegun, urged Nigerians to maintain healthy living so that they would be healthy at old age.