By Chris Ochayi

ABUJA- The 4th edition of Rivers State most coveted award Ceremony GARDEN CITY ADVANCEMENT AWARDS 2017, held in Presidential Hotel Port Harcourt, has recorded massive turn out.

Some of the awardees

Some dignitaries, who graced the occasion.

This Prestigious event is known for transparency, passion, integrity and excellence held on 28th October, 2017 and well anticipated, not only by high and mighty but by all who have contributed in one way or the other to the Growth of Rivers State.

Every year new sets of champions are unveiled since the inception of the Garden City Advancement Awards, and this year was not an exception as captains of industries, business moguls, organizations and young enterprising individual were celebrated for their contributions to the Advancement of State and the nation at large.

The Evening was set by the welcome Address from the Principal Partner of the Garden City Advancement Award Mr. Robinson E.U Koyoyo and a good will message from the Rivers State Government by the Hon. Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Tonye O. Briggs. It was a night of glitz and glamour as the Recipients and guests were thrilled by comedians, music performances and dance.

The highpoints of this year’s edition of the Garden City Advancement Awards was the presentation of the “Garden City Man of the Year” Award to the President and founder of Bellema Oil, Mr. Jack-Rich Tein jnr., Adaeze Udensi as the Role Model to the Female Child, Other distinguished Recipients include: Enger. Sam Adjogbe EDP NDDC, Engr, John Akinnawonu, Comr.(Dr.) Igwe Achese, Mr. Teinbo Briggs, the corporate organizations were not left out as Pelfaco Limited got the award for excellence in construction, Polo Court got the Award for Excellence in Hospitality Management, Mr. Austin Nwaeze, founder Garden library for less privilege, special recognition award on Grassroot Education.

With the theme Diversifying the Rivers State Economy beyond Oil, Practical Solutions and Prospects the event was able to highlight the challenges facing our state and beloved country at a time like this when the oil price is no longer stable and the need to invest in other sectors of the economy, Mr Benson Uwheru who spoke on the topic called all stakeholders in the state to support Public Private Partnership and explore other viable sectors.

The Garden City Advancement Awards is a private sector initiative of Heritage-Plus that recognizes and celebrates captains of industries, national leaders, professionals, business icons, administrators, academicians and corporate organizations in Rivers State that have continually created job opportunities and making impact and commanding great level of honour, adding to the growth and stability in the state, placing collective interest first above personal interests.

Garden City Advancement Awards is designed to annually unify stakeholders across various sectors of the economy, stimulating participants and key players to buckle up and recognize the challenges that confront us as a people or region. To encourage prompt and excellent service delivery and the power of new knowledge by this setting the benchmark for rewarding excellence.

Heritage-plus is a creative company incorporated in Nigeria with operational base in Port-Harcourt, Rivers state that focuses on delivering cutting edge technology, wide range of services to diverse clients throughout Nigeria.

Heritage-Plus is a reputable company that has partnered with local and international organizations, and also a strategic partner of African Business School (ABS) and, Institute of Leadership Management (ILM) amongst others.