Being Text Of Speech Delivered by Miss Odunola Abayomi, Director of Awards, at the World Press Conference for the Expatriates Business Awards 2025

Venue: The Traffic Light, Lagos
Date: Thursday, May 22nd, 2025

Distinguished members of the press,
Esteemed colleagues, partners, and stakeholders on this laudable project
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

It is with immense pride and a deep sense of purpose that I welcome you all to this World Press Conference ahead of what promises to be another historic occasion—the 2025 edition of the Expatriates Business Awards, scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 6th, 2025, at the Grand Ball Room of the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Today, we gather not only to announce this landmark event but also to reaffirm a vision: a vision that celebrates the remarkable contributions of expatriates, foreign businesses, and migrant communities to Nigeria’s growing and dynamic economy. Unlike many conventional award platforms that focus predominantly on Nigerian nationals and enterprises, The Expatriates Business Awards—a fully trademarked initiative—is uniquely designed to recognize those who, though not born of this soil, have chosen to plant seeds here and watch them flourish.

Nigeria is not just a nation—it is a welcoming hub of opportunities and enterprise. And within this hub are men and women from diverse countries and cultures who have dared to dream, dared to invest, and dared to grow—right here on Nigerian soil. They have built businesses, created jobs, and contributed immensely to our GDP. It is only fitting that we pause to say, “Thank you. We see you. We celebrate you.”

This year’s Awards Night has been thoughtfully curated to be an unforgettable evening of exhibition, appreciation, music, and comedy—a harmonious blend of cultural vibrancy and diplomatic grace. From the red carpet to the stage, from the honorees to the entertainment, it will be a night of elegance, celebration, and connection. Above all, it will be a night where excellence and impact will take centre stage.

The selection process for our nominees is already underway. We are currently conducting public opinion polls, meticulous research, and reviewing nominations from the general public. The integrity of our selection process is sacrosanct, and we are committed to ensuring that every honoree is truly deserving.

This prestigious awards project is powered by Pun Communications Ltd—a team of seasoned professionals in public relations, media, and events management—and proudly runs under the auspices of the TEBA Foundation for Humanity. These are people of vision and commitment who believe that excellence must not only be pursued but also recognized and celebrated.

Let me also take a moment to reflect on our journey. What began as The Ethnic Business Awards (TEBA) in 2020 has grown into The Expatriates Business Awards, a rebranded initiative with a sharper focus and clearer mandate. That inaugural edition, held at the same Oriental Hotel, was a landmark event that drew together distinguished entrepreneurs, corporate giants, and cultural icons, including our beloved hosts—the popular Daddy Freeze and a renowned Ghanaian actress, Ella Mensah—both of whose charisma set the tone for what was a truly an unforgettable evening.

The legacy of that first edition lives on. It set a precedent and laid a foundation that we are proud to build upon. It showed us that diversity is not just a demographic reality—it is a strength, an asset, and a driver of progress.

So today, as we announce the 2025 edition, we do so with renewed energy, expanded vision, and unwavering commitment to celebrating the migrant voices that are shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy.

I invite you all—members of the media, diplomatic corps, corporate Nigeria, and the international community—to join us on July 6th for an evening that will not only recognize business excellence but also celebrate the unity, innovation, and diversity that makes Nigeria truly exceptional.

Let the countdown begin.
Let the stories of resilience be told.
Let the champions be celebrated.
Let The Expatriates Business Awards 2025 make history.

Thank you, and God bless.

Miss Odunola Abayomi
Director of Awards
The Expatriates Business Awards 2025