President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred the National Productivity Order of Merit Award on Lubcon Limited, an indigenous oil lubricant producing company based in Ilorin, Kwara State.

This highest award of the National Productivity Centre, an organ of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, was conferred on Lubcon recently in Abuja at a ceremony marking the 15th edition of the National Productivity Day.

Presenting the award, Buhari, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh expressed his delight about the criteria used to determine the overall winners at this year's edition of the awards.

"Ten thousand entries were received this year by the award committee; the entries were shortlisted to 11 winners in the individual category and two winners in the corporate category. Lubcon Oil was picked for its high level of professionalism, the use of cutting-edge technology, optimum returns to shareholders, and immense contribution to wealth creation, employment generation, and overall development of Nigeria," he explained.

Buhari further disclosed that he personally signed the certificates of Honor to the awardees, adding that this year's recipients should prepare for greater challenge in the cause of nation building which his government is currently driving.

"Its purpose is also to widen the scope of productivity awareness in Nigeria and, thus, stimulate productivity consciousness, productivity re-orientation and re-awakening among the citizenry. The Award is designed to affect productivity positively at both individual and corporate levels," he said.

Commending the organisers for the theme of the award; "The Role of Productivity in the Change Agenda", President Buhari appreciated the resilience spirit of Nigerians for standing firm for change in "the way we do things, and for being resolute to fight corruption which he described as cancerous and which cannot be accommodated in his government".

President Buhari also congratulated the Chairman of Lubcon Group, Mr. Jani Ibrahim and his management team.

"In my government we will not only fight corruption to a standstill, excellence will also be adequately rewarded. Our aim is to build productivity culture. We all need to work assiduously hard in order to build a better Nigeria," he added.

Receiving the award, the Managing Director of Lubcon Limited, Mr. Taiye Williams thanked the president; the organisers of the award, Chairman of the company, Mr. Jani Ibrahim and all members of staff and management of Lubcon.

Williams stated that the company is an emerging global brand from the Nigerian market. "We are a dynamic company which aspires to be a world-class energy company exceeding the changing needs of its customers. Since inception, we have been producing world class products operating with a global best practice; with a robust and supply network, creating employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians across the country and in our entire operating environment in Ghana, Niger, Liberia and Ethiopia where we have plants," he added.

Over the years, Lubcon has become a key player in the oil and gas sector through the manufacturing, lifting, distribution and sales of petroleum and allied products. Lubcon is currently made up of seven subsidiaries - Lubcon Petroleum, Lubcon Energy, Lubcon Aero, Logdisc, Replastico, Corrupac and Lubbox.