The maiden edition of the Nigerian Infrastructure Development Awards (NIDA) holds at the Main Hall of Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, from 6pm today, Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Honourable Minister of Works, Power and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN; his Transportation counterpart, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Senator Olabiyi Durojaye; and Chief John Edozien, former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Planning and one-time Chairman of the Securities and Exchange commission (SEC), are among distinguished personalities expected to grace the high profile event.

NIDA Organising Committee Chairman, Mr. Lanre Alabi, said that Fashola will be the Guest Speaker and would speak on the theme, “Solid Infrastructural Backbone – A Catalyst for National Development: The Role of the Power, Works and Housing Ministry”.

He further said that Senator Durojaye would chair the event, while Governors Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) are among those that will be honoured at the event for their outstanding performances. Also to be honoured are outstanding institutions that have contributed immensely to the development of infrastructure in Nigeria, Alabi said.

He disclosed that the event, themed “Solid Infrastructural Backbone – A Catalyst for National and Sustainable Development”, is part of a broad programme to X-ray topical infrastructure issues facing the nation and boost the growth and development of infrastructure in Nigeria.

“It offers a unique platform for technocrats, innovators and administrators, companies and groups whose mandate and activities impact on the improvement and development of infrastructure in Nigeria,” Alabi said.

“NIDA,” according to him, “has identified corporate organisations, government agencies and individuals who have made huge and outstanding impact in the Nigerian infrastructural development sector over the years. We have identified key personalities, top government officials, government agencies, private sector players and innovators who have played iconic and notable roles through strategic policy formulation, progarmme implementation, project execution in the development of infrastructure in Nigeria. Our focus is to honour the best, boldest, creative and outstanding projects that have impacted on the well-being of the people. Many infrastructural projects have promoted the nation to the outside world and have birthed many other businesses.

“The presence of these high-impacting infrastructure investments cuts across transportation, telecommunication, energy and power, oil and gas, aviation, agriculture, health, housing, entertainment and.”

The NIDA Organising Committee Chairman disclosed that “many big corporate players, including multi-nationals and MDAs, have booked their participation in the event that will gather stakeholders in the infrastructure ecosystems in Nigeria.”

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