Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) has announced the appointment of Chienye Ogwo as its chief executive officer.
Before joining AIG, Ms. Ogwo led Change Management at Union Bank of Nigeria, where she was responsible for developing strategies for the implementation of the bank’s transformation initiatives and facilitating buy-in among internal and external stakeholders.
Founder and Chairman of AIG Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said: “After a rigorous search and selection process by the Board of Directors, we are pleased to announce Chienye’s appointment and welcome her on board AIG.
“Chienye brings a valuable blend of experience to the organization and we look forward to working with her as we forge ahead towards the attainment of our goals.”
Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Ogwo said: “These are exciting times for Africa Initiative for Governance and I am delighted to join the organisation in this role. AIG’s mission is to work with governments, academic institutions and other partners to transform public sector performance.
“I am excited at the opportunity to work together to revive the virtues of good public service and make that sector attractive to the brightest minds.”
Ms. Ogwo is a lawyer and trained journalist with over 16 years experience in organisational transformation and stakeholder management, strategic communication and legal practice.
She holds an LL.B from the University of Lagos, a B.L from the Nigeria Law School and an M.Sc in journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Tag: CEO
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Chienye Ogwo appointed CEO of AIG
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Chienye Ogwo appointed CEO of AIG
Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) has announced the appointment of Chienye Ogwo as its chief executive officer.
Before joining AIG, Ms. Ogwo led Change Management at Union Bank of Nigeria, where she was responsible for developing strategies for the implementation of the bank’s transformation initiatives and facilitating buy-in among internal and external stakeholders.
Founder and Chairman of AIG Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said: “After a rigorous search and selection process by the Board of Directors, we are pleased to announce Chienye’s appointment and welcome her on board AIG.
“Chienye brings a valuable blend of experience to the organization and we look forward to working with her as we forge ahead towards the attainment of our goals.”
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FRC CEO wins African Leader of Integrity Merit award
The Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), Jim Obazee, has won African Leader of Integrity Merit Award for exemplary leadership and Economic Development in Africa.
In a statement by FRC’s Media/Communications Consultant, Mack Ogbamosa, said the award was bestowed on Obazee in recognition of his enormous contributions to the nation’s economy, through his resolved efforts in entrenching transparency and accountability in financial reporting. The award ceremony held at the University of Ghana, Legon.
While Conferring the award on the FRC chief, who was represented by Adeshola Amao of the Directorate of Corporate Governance of the Council at the 13th Africa Leadership Development Conference and Awards Gala Night, the President of Proven Integrity Communications Network Limited, the organisers of the award, Onwordi Onichabor, said the award was for those Distinguished and Notable Personalities who have excelled greatly in their respective businesses and professional endeavours.
He also said Obazee was particularly recognized because of his relentless efforts at sanitizing the financial sector of the country through formulation and enforcement of financial standards.
The recipient, while receiving the award, thanked the organisers for the recognition and dedicated the award to members of staff of the FRC, adding that the honour was not only in recognition of his personal efforts, but also that of the entire staff of the Council.
The FRC boss noted that the impact of the Council’s enforcement of accounting, auditing, actuarial and valuation standards as well as entrenchment of good corporate governance is already manifesting in this era of adherence to rules, regulations and standards as the hallmark of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Obazee has won many awards both within and outside the shores of the country for his doggedness and ground-breaking achievements with the Council in ensuring that businesses are conducted in the country in accordance with laid down rules.
These awards include among others, African Par Excellence Award 2015, Public Administrator of the Year award, Lifetime Achievement Award for Competency/Distinctiveness in Public Service by Nigeria Media Nite-out Award 2015, CEO of the Year by Ikeja City Award 2016 as well as Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, CRAN Award of Excellence for service.
Established under the Financial Reporting Council Act No 6, 2011, the FRC is charged with regulating accounting, auditing, actuarial and valuation standards as well as development, issuance and enforcement of code of corporate governance to ensure transparency, probity and accountability in both public and private sectors of the nation’s economy.
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Skyfield CEO seeks better utilisation of NHF
The Chief Executive Officer, Skyfield Property Development Limited, Emeka Ekeh yesterday urged the Federal Government to make the National Housing Fund (NHF) more effective and accessible to the generality of Nigerians.
Speaking during the handover of Skyfield apartment to Mu-Delta Gamma Limited, a facility manager, he said that government should assist mortgage operators by providing credit support to them, given that real estate business remains capital intensive.
He said that Mu-Delta Gamma Limited, led by Adewale Ibrahim, is expected to bring out the best use of the premises for the benefit of present customers, future prospects and the group.
He said the facility management firm will also be required to perform an economic function concerned with ensuring the efficient use of physical resources by controlling cost; perform a strategic function concerned with the forward planning of physical infrastructure resources to support the development of the group and reduce risk; a social function concerned with ensuring that the physical infrastructure work meets the legitimate needs of users within the community; a professional and service function with social responsibility for people within the community.
He said: “Real estate is capital intensive and anyone that needs to invest in the sector must have huge financial muscles. Government should partner with the private sector to ensure that the dream of every Nigerian to own a house is realized. It has to make the National Housing Fund more effective, and provide shorter period for people to access the fund. Government should assist by providing the enabling environment finance-wise”.
Ekeh said: “About a decade ago, The Skyfield Apartment was constructed by Skyfield Property Development Limited with the strong financial backing of its parent company, Brent Mortgage Bank Limited because of the need to provide a unique and cozy mini living quarters for students and the working class in Nigeria who wish to tap into the immense potentials the Yaba environment affords,” he said.
He explained that the apartment is centrally located and easy to access from various points in Lagos state and aims to ease the challenges of securing affordable short-let accommodation for business men and women, business executives, up-and-mobile entrepreneurs and the generality of the populace in and out of Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, certain locations within Lagos mainland as well as outside the state and abroad.
The premises comprise 160 spaces for both residential and commercial use. Present in the premises are facilities like two dedicated electricity generating sets, a dedicated transformer, a borehole and water processing system, two functional lift systems, a functional security post, ample car parks as well as waste disposal units. Other complementary services include cleaners and a laundry point.
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Unity Bank’ll deliver value to investors, says CEO
The Managing Director/CEO of Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Tomi Somefun has assured investors of the lender’s commitment to deliver bountiful returns on their investments.
The bank chief who spoke after the bank posted N3.8 billion Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the third quarter ended September 30 this year, said the lender remained committed to delivering value to its stakeholders, saying its profits came from efficient balance sheet management and cost containment initiatives.
Mrs. Somefun emphasised that the bank has continued to maintain and sharpen its focus on executing strategic choices aimed at creating a large diversified bank with a strong retail/SME base, development of array of products and consolidating market confidence to boost its growth trajectory”.
According to analysts, with the bank’s repositioning efforts and consistent focus to tap into the emerging opportunities in the enlarged financial services space within Nigeria, Unity Bank is poised to deliver quality banking services to emerging sectors in Retail/Small and Medium Enterprises, Commercial and the Agricultural value chain.
The bank also grew its assets to N476.15 billion within the period, representing an increase of 7.4 per cent or N32.6 billion over N443.3 billion recorded as at 31 December, 2015.
The bank’s customers’ deposit equally rose by N32.5 billion to N263.91 billion indicating an increase of N32.5 billion. The figures, analysts said, showed a measure of customers’ growing confidence and increased business momentum.
“Furthermore, the various cost optimisation strategies and other operational overhauls which were embarked upon by the new Management of the bank saw operating expense dropped by 14 per cent or N3.1 billion to N19.6 billion against N22.8 billion recorded in September 2015.
The bank recently introduced the UnityBiz account to enable it boost its support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The lender reiterated its commitment to the Small and Medium (SMEs) segment of the market, which has been identified as the fulcrum of economic growth.
“The value proposition embedded in the UnityBiz current account lies in the fact that structured businesses in the SME space are able to access both the asset and liability side of the product at concessionary rates, which benchmark the best pricing offered in the industry,” the lender said in a statement.
The SME target markets include retailers, social services, schools, contractors, professional service firms, wholesalers, manufacturers, hospitality, non-governmental organisations, clubs and associations, suppliers and the agri-business value chain. The purpose, it said, was to offer the SME products that bring immense value to the operators.
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Medic West Africa: Philips showcase new connected innovations
At this year’s biggest healthcare trade show in West Africa, Philips, a Dutch technology company headquartered in Amsterdam, will reveal a portfolio of data-driven radiology technologies and connected solutions across the health continuum, from healthy living to disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.Visitors to the Philips booth and Master Classes at
Visitors to the Philips booth and Master Classes at Medic West Africa 2016, will witness how Philips is leveraging its deep clinical expertise, data management, consumer insights as well as partnerships to help shape the future of healthcare in West Africa. The aim is to provide more predictive and more personalized care to enable people to take charge of their own health, as well as first time right diagnoses and more effective treatments.
According to the company in a statement, Radiology plays an important role in helping to detect and characterize disease at its earliest possible stages; assists in treatment planning and assessment; and helps in the management of overall patient care.Designed to help shorten the time between diagnosis and treatment, Philips’ full range of radiology solutions in cardiology, oncology, and women’s health are driving cost-effective, more consistent and higher quality care across the entire hospital enterprise.
Designed to help shorten the time between diagnosis and treatment, Philips’ full range of radiology solutions in cardiology, oncology, and women’s health are driving cost-effective, more consistent and higher quality care across the entire hospital enterprise.
“With advancements in data-driven digital health technology, radiology has the power to significantly impact the way care is delivered, as it plays a critical role in the majority of healthcare decisions,” said Ime Umo, CEO, Philips West Africa.“By integrating advanced diagnostic imaging technologies with specialized informatics, Philips is helping its customers to enhance the diagnostic process, facilitate seamless collaboration and improve workflow efficiencies – all for the enhancement of patient care.”
“By integrating advanced diagnostic imaging technologies with specialized informatics, Philips is helping its customers to enhance the diagnostic process, facilitate seamless collaboration and improve workflow efficiencies – all for the enhancement of patient care.”
To demonstrate their vision and commitment to connected innovations across the health continuum, Philips is introducing new technologies to the West African healthcare market at the show. These new technologies includes but not limited to the followings:
Intellispace Portal
The Philips IntelliSpace Portal is a web-enabled image and information management system with a single integrated workspace that produces a holistic view of the patient’s care continuum; it is one of the most comprehensive solutions for problem detection, diagnostics, and therapy follow-up, offering a full suite of tools to increase accuracy of quantitative measurements and reproducibility, decision support tools to boost diagnostics confidence.
CX50 Ultrasound
CX50 CompactXtreme portable ultrasound system – Combines the image quality expected of a traditional, premium, full-size system with the convenience of portability. Features PureWave crystal technology, one of the biggest breakthroughs in piezoelectric transducer technology in 40 years which has been clinically proven to improve image quality across the patient population, especially on technically difficult patients. Premium fluoroscopy and digital radiography
CombiDiagnost R90 is a premium remote-controlled fluoroscopy system in combination with high-end digital radiography, designed to improve room utilization in a cost-effective manner.CombiDiagnost R90 provides excellent dose management features like grid-controlled fluoroscopy, new dynamic UNIQUE image processing which offers consistent, outstanding image quality for radiography and fluoroscopy applications, supporting high room utilization and patient throughput.
Critical Care Ventilation
The V680 critical care ventilator provides high-performance ventilation in invasive and noninvasive modes at a fraction of the cost of two separate systems. This advanced two-in-one platform includes a full complement of invasive and noninvasive modes, lung mechanics maneuvers, and comprehensive dynamic patient monitoring.
The V680 ventilator includes a number of advanced technologies designed to simplify use, support uninterrupted invasive or noninvasive ventilation, and help reduce the incidence of unwanted pressure spikes. Unlike other systems that stop ventilating during expiratory limb occlusion or flow sensor failure, the V680 switches to Emergency Ventilation Mode, and sounds a high-priority alarm. In this mode, the same oxygen and ventilation settings are maintained through the inspiratory limb, buying critical seconds or minutes for the patient until help arrives.
Philips continues to focus on driving groundbreaking connected innovations across the health continuum. Digital technologies are the enabler of such transformations in healthcare systems and Philips is determined to drive that transformation.Medic West Africa & Philips
Medic West Africa 2016 is the biggest healthcare trade show of its kind in West Africa and takes place from 12 to 14 October 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria. As part of its holistic approach to healthier living, Philips is providing all visitors an opportunity to take a “health break” at the Philips Juice Bar (stall M20) and sample a smoothie treat or fresh fruit juices.
Philips Master classes
Philips will also be holding a series of master classes during the show, providing education on the latest healthcare advancements with a focus on innovations in radiology, imaging and cardiology.
- Dr Ahmed Sultan, Ultrasound Application Specialist, Philips North East Africa, will lead the session on Advanced Echo Application for Improved Outcomes on Wednesday, 12 October from 11.30 hrs to 12.45 hrs (Seminar Room Hall 2)
- Mabolo Paulin, Clinical Applications Specialist (MRI, CT, ISP), Philips South Africa, will conduct a training session on Interactive Imaging with IntelliSpace Portal: Focusing on Cardiac Health on Thursday, 13 October from 12.30 hrs to 13.45 hrs (Seminar Room Hall 2).
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Firm promises 70% freight savings to business owners
Simplified Corporate Logistics, a global procurement, handling, clearing and forwarding service targeted at Nigerian businesses has recently launched and revealed its promise to help business owners.
The procurement company disclosed in a statement, its plans to help Nigerian business owners who are currently facing difficulty ordering goods from overseas due to high costs of clearing and logistics, reduce their incurred fines and charges, improve their cargo logistics efficiency and shrink their freight costs up to 70%.
The statement reads in part: “Offering a full service cargo logistics package for export and import, including global procurement, warehousing locally and internationally, clearing, documentation review to ensure Customs and regulatory compliance, Simplified Corporate Logistics takes risk away completely from businesses complexity associated with import and export – by handling their forex needs to reduce the long processing times needed to access forex, providing a transparent Customs Clearing typically within 6 days while handling documentation for efficiency and offering a cargo consolidation service that will save businesses up to 70% on freight costs.
“Speaking at the launch of Simplified Corporate Logistics, in Lagos, founder and Chief Eecutive Officer (C.E.O) Nduka Udeh remarked: “Nigerian businesses of recent have been hit by a steep hike in the price of ordering, handling and clearing goods from overseas. What Simplified Corporate Logistics does is that; it removes the risk factor for businesses.
“We make it our responsibility to source for Forex to carry out transactions so our customers only pay in Naira. Then we guide them through the entire clearing process and handle the documentation on their behalf so that they reduce incurred fines and charges to the barest minimum. Our process is so efficient that we can guarantee clearance of goods within six days.
“We can even source for the items our customers want from trusted manufacturers globally, and get them at the best prices – thanks to our partnership with several auction companies in the USA. Most significantly, we offer a cargo consolidation service that can save our customers up to 70% in freight costs. We believe that it is these cost and efficiency savings that will propel the Nigerian small and medium enterprises into the future.”
The company added that details on the launched Simplified Corporate Logistics, could be found on its website www.sclogisticsng.com
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HarvestPlus gets CEO
HarvestPlus has appointed Beverley Postma as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
In this role, Postma will lead HarvestPlus in strategy development and implementation, partner outreach and engagement, resource mobilisation, and thought leadership. She succeeds Dr. Howarth Bouis, the founder of HarvestPlus and a 2016 World Food Prize laureate.
HarvestPlus, a joint venture created by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in 2003, improves nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofor-tified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals, and provides global leadership on bioforti-fication evidence and technology. Twenty million people in low-income farming households in 30 countries are growing and eating these nutritious staple foods, including cassava, maize and sweet potato enriched with vitamin A; beans and pearl millet enriched with iron; and rice and wheat enriched with zinc. Testing of biofortified varieties is underway in another 25 countries.
“We are extremely fortunate to have recruited Beverley Postma as the new CEO of HarvestPlus,” said IFPRI Director-General, Dr. Shenggen Fan.
“She is a highly qualified candidate with a strong and varied background and a passion for uniting nutrition and agriculture to benefit millions of vulnerable people around the world. We are excited to have her leadership as HarvestPlus progresses to its next phase.”
CIAT Director-General, Dr. Ruben Echeverría, said: “Beverley’s international experience and her familiarity with food issues, innovation and multi-stakeholder partnerships are important assets for HarvestPlus and the global biofor-tification movement.”
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Heritage Bank’s CEO harps on entrepreneurship for youths
Heritage Bank Plc in partnership with the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) has graduated 100 young entrepreneurs in the CVL Young Entrepreneurship Training Programme (YETP) in Ajegunle, Lagos.
The CVL is aimed at identifying young people, especially youths in densely populated communities and putting them through a full year of training in small business management.
These young entrepreneurs who have been trained in various skills such as catering, bead making, event management, fashion design, arts, hair dressing, shoe cobbling among others have also imbibed comprehensive business management and entrepreneurship skills that would equip them to be successful business owners.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo, expressed appreciation to the founder of CVL, Professor Pat Utomi, for the initiative and implored the graduands to reciprocate by making the best of the opportunity.
“We are attracted to CVL because we seek how we can harness entrepreneurial skills of people, reduce unemployment and foster development of communities, like the Ajegunle community. We are delighted with the mechanics of this program and we recognize the strategic importance and impact of successful businesses could have on young entrepreneurs and the society, which is why we provide funds for start-ups,” he said.
As a way of showing the bank’s commitment to the initiative, the Managing Director, who was represented by the Divisional Head, Corporate Banking, Heritage Bank, Apapa Region Mr. Kehinde Olugbemi announced that two physical agent banking kiosks will be opened and commissioned before the end of the year so as to make financial services more accessible to the graduands as well as the city of Ajegunle.
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by Mrs. Olabisi Boko, a Director in the State Ministry of Employment tasked them to use the acquired skills immensely to add value to their wellbeing. In the Governor’s words: “the Lagos State Government is committed to fighting unemployment by collaborating with private sector initiatives such as the CVL’s in achieving this goal.” The Governor called on the private sector and stakeholders of the economy to emulate as well as support the CVL initiative.
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Award for CEO
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of Halogen Security Company Limited, Mr. Wale Olaoye, has been conferred with the “Outstanding Leadership and Professional Civil Security Award” by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The award, according to the body, is in recognition of Mr. Olaoye’s immense contributions to the development of students/youths and the improvement of security practices in Nigeria, and also for his visionary leadership in the society.
Speaking during the presentation of the award, the Chairman of NANS, Lagos chapter, Comrade Sanusi Suleiman, described Mr. Olaoye as, “an astute leader, a role model and a philanthropist who has continued to inspire youths to realise their dreams and aspirations”.
The Comrade recalled several instances where the Halogen Security CEO had identified with and shared his knowledge with students, impacting on them not just his leadership and business acumen and skills but also his over 20 years’ experience and knowledge in the Risk Management spacesecurities industry. “Mr. Olaoye is a personality of repute that needs to always be celebrated. We are proud to identify with him and look forward to having him in our Hall of Fame soon”, Comrade Suleiman added.
In his response, Mr. Olaoye expressed immense gratitude to NANS for the award. According to him, “this honour, by no less a body such as NANS, is a rare privilege. We appreciate the Association for recognizing the entire Halogen Security Company Limited team and we assure you of our continued support to the youths”.
The Halogen Security CEO used the occasion to restate the company’s commitment to providing cutting edge asset management and security solutions across all levels of the society by leveraging on its robust and modern technological facilities and highly professional personnel.
“As the leading security solutions services provider in Nigeria, we will continue to offer innovative solutions that are technologically advanced, easy to use and cost effective. Security is a major issue not just in Nigeria, but world-wide. At Halogen, we understand that the only way you can build a nation is to ensure its people, assets and resources are safe and secure. As such we continually go the extra mile to design and offer effective and efficient solutions to both our existing and potential clients and the nation at large”, he stated. Mr. Olaoye informed that the company is preparing for the next generation with its recent investment in capacity building by establishing a full scale School of Security Management and Technology and with its alliance with Babcock University. According to him, “this is an initiative that will create quality professionals and carrier path for the youths in our country in addressing the need to generate employment that is crucial to our nation”. The CEO added that the Company is providing employment to more than sixteen thousand Nigerians today and still growing across its eight strategic business units in the risk management space including Cyber Security and technology.