Champion Breweries Plc recently held its 2018 Distributors Award ceremony in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where dozens of distributors in different categories were rewarded with various gift prizes, including tricycles, fans, among others.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the Managing Director of Champion Breweries, Mr Patrick Ejidoh, said that for the first time since the company’s founding in 1979, it was becoming profitable and ready to start paying dividends to shareholders.

The veteran of the brewery industry, with 32 years’ experience at Nigerian Breweries Plc said, “The days when this company wobbled and fumbled is over. We are taking every step necessary to ensure the business is sustainable. Right now, Champion beer and Champ Malta are gathering momentum in the market.”

The MD, who was delighted that the company’s management was able to hold its second Distributor’s Award, said that it was clear that the business was eager to break into new markets.

Ejido highlighted some steps the company took to reposition itself to include remodeling of the bottles to modern standard, training of staff, noting that, “the efforts we are making is bearing fruits and I want to assure our shareholders that next year we shall pay dividends of 2019.”

The Managing Director urged its distributors to work harder, promising that next year’s gifts will be bigger and better.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, Dr Elijah Akpan, said that the company had undergone great transformation under the current management.

He expressed confidence that with the synergy between the board, management of the company and staff, the firm will surpass its current goals.

Akpan noted that the company made huge investments to remodel the bottles to modern standards as well as in human resources development.

He thanked the staff and management for working so hard to improve the fortunes of the company in such a short time.