Formost industrialist and Chairman of Eleganza Group of Companies, Chief Rasak Akanni Okoya, yesterday expressed deep appreciation for The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016, promising to attend the annual event scheduled for February 18 in Lagos.

“I know this is one of the biggest events in Nigeria today and I want to tell you that I appreciate this great honour; that is why I will be there,” Chief Okoya told a delegation from The Sun Publishing Limited, led by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Eric Osagie, at his Lagos home.

While congratulating The Sun for the initiative, Chief Okoya again expressed his appreciation to the Board, management and staff of the newspaper for considering him for the Lifetime Achievement Award, stressing: “I truly cherish and appreciate the honour.”

Speaking earlier, Osagie explained that the Lifetime Achievement Award category of The Sun Awards was designed to “honour Nigerians, who had made landmark contributions to the promotion of core values of diligence, resilience, honesty, integrity and maximum impact in their areas of calling.”

He said The Sun Board of Editors voted Chief Okoya, as a winner of the award, in recognition of his distinguished service to national development and enviable track record, as a renowned business- man and manufacturing czar.

Osagie said: “With a meagre N20 savings gar- nered under your father’s tutelage, as a tailoring apprentice and sales of tailoring accessories, in ad- dition to the N50 from your mother, you set out on a journey to conquer the world of manufacturing.

“Within a short space of time, you established Eleganza Industries and began to assemble pro- totype of shoes, jewelry, buttons, cosmetics and other wide range of household goods and utensils, including cutleries, collieries, food warmers, ice chest, electric fan and ballpoint pen.

“Today, Eleganza Industries has grown into a big oak, with a direct workforce of over 5, 000 Nigeri- ans. It is currently one of the biggest homegrown conglomerates in Nigeria, with gigantic factories spread across Lagos State – Oregun, Ikeja, Isolo, Alaba, Iganmu and the latest, Eleganza Industrial City, Eleko, Lekki.

“Aare, you also diversified into property busi- ness, building one of the most expansive estates
in the country called Oluwanishola, along Lekki/ Ajah Expressway, under the RAO Properties. Your immense sterling contributions to the evolution of the nation’s industrial and economic development, is worthy of commendation. You are a deserving recipient of the 2016 edition of The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award.”

He urged Chief Okoya to join other recipients
at the presentation ceremony billed for Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Chief Okoya’s beautiful wife and Managing Director of Eleganza Industries, Mrs. Sade Okoya, was also on hand to receive The Sun team.

Osagie was joined on the visit by General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Services, Mrs. Neta Nwosu and Editor, Saturday Sun, Mr. Femi Babafemi.