Celebrating Partners for Growth

In a bid to set its trade partners and distributors on the path of sustainable growth, leading brewer and subsidiary of Diageo Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, has rewarded them for best-in-class performance and responsible marketing of its alcoholic beverage brands.


This came to the fore at the 2015 Distributors’ Conference and Awards Night organised by the company in Lagos. With the theme, Partners for growth, the event also provided a platform for Guinness Nigeria to announce new trade incentives and to receive feedback from one of its most important stakeholders.

The exquisite and colorful ceremony, which took place in Lagos, Guinness Nigeria pulled out all the stops for an eventful evening.  The J5 music band set the ball rolling by belting out melodious soulful tunes from Bob Marley’s Redemption Song to a medley of songs by Nigeria’s own diva, Asa even as guests networked on the red carpet.

Humour merchant, Gordons discharged his duties as the Master of Ceremony very well, carrying everyone along in the celebration of partnership for growth which was the theme of the event.

Speaking at the occasion, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa commended the distributors for their contributions to the growth and success of the company’s business in the previous fiscal year. He noted that their efforts have helped the company maintain its market leadership, while referencing Guinness Nigeria’s effective and efficient distribution model, which has ensured impressive investment returns, expansion of retail footprints and improved customer experience at every touch point, as a critical success factor.

“As partners in progress, Guinness Nigeria will keep its promises and work hand-in-hand with all its distributors to ensure that they grow their business in a very responsible and sustainable manner. We will also support our distributors with tools and training initiatives to develop their human capacity as well as their business processes,” he stated.

Ndegwa further charged the distributors on the need to ensure that consumers are inspired by the Guinness Nigeria brands by keeping in line with the company’s track record for delivering great innovations. “It is very important that the brand continues to enjoy the trust and the respect which it has built with the Nigerian people over the years,” he said.

Commercial Director, Guinness Nigeria, Paul Costigan examined the performance of distributors for the past year, giving them a pass mark. He noted that the past year was a hugely successful one. “Orijin is a Nigerian success story. We are confident that we will win again in this New Year,” he said.

At the event, distributors from the company’s sales division across the country were rewarded for outstanding performances in volume sales and distribution of various products. Some of the award categories include the Divisional Highest Volume Award, National Volume Can only and National Highest Volume Award. Prizes given to partners included plaques, certificates, computers, 1.4 H- 100 Hyundai single cabin trucks, among many others. Winners in the Divisional Highest Volume category were Ugonnaya Ugonna& Sons Ltd in Jos; Tasho Nigeria Ltd in Lagos-West; Mimosa Ventures Nig. Ltd in Lagos-East and J. Ogungbola& Sons Ltd in Ibadan. Others are Jim Hanson Resources & Co. Ltd in Enugu; Mrs. Clara Pessu of Garranzia Nigeria Ltd, in Benin, Fullman Resources Ltd in Aba and B. I. Onyeka& Sons Ltd in Abuja.

Saneg Nigeria Ltd won in the National Volume Can Only category while Mr. Paul Okene of Teruma Resources Nig. Ltd in Benin and Dame Joy Igwe owner of IfeomaChukwuka Nigeria Ltd in Aba were third and second runner-up in the National Highest Volume Award category respectively.

One of the recipients of the award, Managing Director of Mimosa Ventures, was full of praise for the consumers. “I dedicate this award to the man drinking in the restaurants, beer parlours and other similar places across the country for their extraordinary support. They have supported our business and helped us to achieve this feat.”

The highpoint of the night was the announcement of Abuja-based Managing Director of Edinho Nigeria Ltd, Dr. Edmond Okafor as the winner of the National Highest Volume Award category. He was rewarded with a plaque, sum of over N20 million and a new Toyota Rav-4.
Speaking after receiving his award, Dr. Chief Edmond Okafor, expressed satisfaction with the commitment and support he has received from Guinness Nigeria, while pledging his continued allegiance to the brand.