…as friends and associates felicitate with him

By Chris Onuoha

Chairman and CEO of Diamond Leeds Limited, Chief Dr. Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze Onyekachukwu na Ozubulu) has been conferred with the coveted award of ‘Entrepreneur of the Year 2021’ at the prestigious National Star South East Achievement Awards ceremony held on Friday September 30th at the Base Event Center Enugu. 

Chief Ifekudu, a celebrated business leader who topped the category ahead of other contenders and won the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022,’ was selected in a keenly contested three-step points-based process that included a call for nomination; online voting for shortlisted nominees and the editorial board’s final review of nominations and voting submissions, says the organisers.

“Online voting accounted for 65 percent of the final outcome, with supporting evidence contributing 35 percent in the final selection process,” continued the organisers, saying that the awards attracted over 300, 000 entries on the website and across social media platforms, as well as submissions via email and physical posts from Nigerians across the continent and in Diaspora.”

At the event, the billionaire businessman was honoured with the award having successfully nurtured his businesses to a global acclaim, as glowing tributes poured in torrents for Chief Kenneth Ifekudu, on Friday night as he received the award alongside other prominent Nigerians. 

Some of his associates who spoke to press express their feelings towards him. “In winning this award, Dr. Ifekudu epitomizes the core values of a successful leader; strength, innovation, ingenuity, knowledge and foresight – values that are imperative to creating and sustaining a business within the Pan-African and global economy,” said one of them.

In his remark, the award recipient, Ifekudu said, “I am humbled and proud to be recognized as the Entrepreneur  of the Year. This award is a testament to a great team of unique, passionate and committed people at Diamond Leeds Limited working tirelessly to build a Proudly African and Truly International Contracting and Servicing Company.”

In due recognition of his visionary leadership, Dr. Ifekudu who is a recipient of several other local and  international accolades stated that Africa is the best continent and that it is a blessing to be born African and be doing business in Africa.

“Under my leadership, Diamond Leeds Limited has maintained its dominance of the industry by continually recording significant and enviable projects and financial performance.

My profundity and vivid understanding of diverse financial landscapes has been critical in ensuring the company’s successful foray into various markets,” he said.