Devakumar Edwin Named Person of the Year
By Patience Ikpeme
The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar V. G. Edwin, has been named “Person of the Year.”
He received this top honor at the 9th Annual Award and Lecture of the Daily Asset Newspapers held on Thursday in Abuja.
This award was given to Mr. Edwin because of his great work in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. He was also praised for how he manages the business and talks to the public about the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP).
While presenting the award, the Publisher of Daily Asset Newspaper, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, said Mr. Edwin played a very big role in making the Dangote Refinery a success. He noted that because of Edwin’s leadership, the refinery has helped Nigeria produce more of its own fuel, making it easier for people to get petrol and helping the country’s economy grow.
Dr. Akwaya also said that Mr. Edwin’s work in explaining the importance of the refinery has helped people in Nigeria and across Africa understand how the project helps the continent.
“His recognition as Person of the Year further shows the growing impact of the Dangote Refinery as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable national development,” the publisher said.
The Daily Asset award is well-known for celebrating people and organizations that do great things to help Nigeria move forward. Dr. Akwaya added that Mr. Edwin deserves to be celebrated across Africa for changing how people see Nigeria’s oil sector.
The publisher described Mr. Edwin as the “backbone” of the process that built the Dangote Refinery, which is the largest of its kind in the world. He said the refinery is a “gamechanger” because it helps Nigeria provide its own fuel, reduces the need to buy fuel from other countries, and helps the economy.
“For this effort, Engr Edwin is Daily Asset iconic Corporate Achiever/Person of the Year,” Dr. Akwaya said.
Mr. Edwin was represented at the event by the Dangote Group’s Senior General Manager, Alhaji Abatcha Bishara.
In a statement, the Dangote Group said: “At Dangote Refinery, we remain committed to supporting Nigeria’s energy security, strengthening domestic refining capacity, and contributing meaningfully to national economic growth. This recognition encourages us to continue communicating transparently and engaging constructively with stakeholders and the public.”
The company also thanked the media for their support, saying that good journalism is very important for the country to develop.
Mr. Edwin joined a list of other important leaders who received awards at the event, including the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, and the governors of Enugu, Edo, and Adamawa states. Even President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently spoke about the refinery, saying it has really helped to make fuel more available in the country.
