Personality in Focus
Onyeali-Ikpe is Champion Newspapers’ Banker of the Year
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, has received yet another recognition as she bagged the award of the Banker of the Year 2022 at the Champion Newspapers’ Awards of the Year 2022.
Held at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Friday, 12 May 2023, the well-attended event featured top players in the nation’s public and private sectors.
Receiving her award in company of her family, friends and colleagues, an elated Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe said, “I am grateful for this recognition and I dedicate this award to the board, management and staff of Fidelity Bank PLC as well as my family for their support.”
Earlier in the programme, the Chairman of the occasion and the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe said when hard work and integrity are not rewarded, mediocrity would be promoted.
He added, “The awardees have no doubt gone through a rigorous process of screening, careful and meticulous scrutiny to have been adjudged fit, proper in all ramifications. They are therefore worthy and deserving of these prestigious awards.”
On her own part, the Group Managing Director, Champion Newspapers, Dr Nwadiuto Iheakanwa in her opening remarks said, “There is no gainsaying that the reward for hardwork is more work hence our humble appeal that more efforts be made to ensure that the nation realizes its full potentials in all spheres of endeavour knowing fully well that the country is among the most endowed nations of human capital.
“One of the areas I want to challenge the post-President Muhammadu Buhari administration is in the ease of doing business. It is my considered opinion that if the incoming administration can get it right in institutionalizing administrative structures which will eliminate the bottlenecks, the country will be able to expand her productive capacity.in a manner that will encourage greater foreign earnings beyond oil.”
Other awardees at the event include Chairman of, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA , Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), who was conferred with the Man of the Year Award; Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who bagged the Life Achievement Award; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who received the Governor of the Year award; Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, who bagged the Governor of the Year, Good Governance award; Chief Dr. Cyril Onyekwelu Umunna Ajagu, who received the award of the Most Outstanding Savvy Investor of the Year; and High Chief Michael Onuoha, who bagged the Most Innovative Brand CEO of the Year award.
It would be recalled that Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe received the Banker of the Year 2022 at the 14th Leadership Annual Conference and Awards in January 2023 and the Best Banking CEO Nigeria 2023 in the 2023 Global Banking & Finance Awards in April 2023. She was also recognized as one of the top 10 female finalists in the Africa.com Definitive List of Women Chief Executive Officers (CEOs).
The co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, Han Jong-Hee, has died of heart attack on Tuesday. He was aged 63.
A spokesperson for the South Korean tech giant confirmed this.
Han, who oversaw Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses became the Chief Executive Officer of South Korea’s biggest company in 2022.
He had joined the tech giant in 1988 after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Before he started to run Samsung’s electronics and devices division, he was in charge of the display operations.
In a tribute to the deceased, Samsung said Han dedicated more than 37 years of his life to leading Samsung’s TV business to become a global leader.
The company said, Han as the head of its electronics and appliances businesses, contributed to its growth amid challenging business environment.
Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji, has felicitated Professor Ngozi Osarenren on the award of excellence bestowed on her by the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
UNICAL recently honoured Prof Osarenren, an expert in Career and Counselling, with the prestigious award of ‘Face of UNICAL @ 50’.
The award was given to Professor Orarenren in recognition of the contributions she has made in her chosen career both in Nigeria and abroad.
“We write to notify you of your nomination by the Central Planning Committee and UNICAL Alumni Association for the conferment of an award as the “Face of UNICAL @ 50” in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the University (1975-2025).
“In nominating you for this prestigious award, the University has considered your success in using the knowledge/skills acquired in the university in your chosen filed/professional career.
”The University also notes the worthy manner you have flown the flag of integrity for the University both in Nigeria and abroad; your past/future contributions to the development of your Alma mater (UNICAL) and your pride as an alumnus,” the institution wrote prior to the five-day ceremony, which started on March 17,2025,” the institution wrote, in notifying the award recipient.
In conveying his felicitations to Prof Osarenren, His Eminence, Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji said:
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Arochukwu kingdom, I write to felicitate you and your family on the conferment of the prestigious award of FACE of UNICAL at 50, which was recently bestowed on you by your alma mater, the University of Calabar.
“The entire Arochukwu community rejoices with you on this well deserved award. The award is a testament of your commitment and untiring efforts in uplifting the educational standards in Nigeria, which has manifested in your sterling career at the University of Lagos where you currently hold sway in it’s Guidance and Counselling Department.
“Aro Kingdom is proud of you and we urge you to keep being a great ambassador of Arochukwu.
“Once again, congratulations Adaukwu,” His Eminence added.
Personality in Focus
Contributions of Late Basketball Star, Dikembe Mutombo, Take Centrestage on Glo-sponsored African Voices
CNN International’s magazine programme, African Voices Playmakers, this weekend highlights the contributions of Late Congolese-American National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo as a humanitarian icon and mentor of young basketball players on the continent. The programme is bankrolled by data solutions provider, Globacom.
Full name Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukaba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, he was known simply by his moniker ‘Mount Mutombo’ because of his defensive dexterity. He was born on June 25, 1966, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and studied Medicine at Georgetown University in America. He, however, chose to follow his passion for basketball, playing for 18 remarkable seasons in the NBA.
Dikembe created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve the living condition of his folks in the DRC. Unfortunately, he lost his fierce battle with brain cancer in September, 2024 at the age of 58.
He however remains a beacon of light to youngsters of African descent on the pitch. This new generation of African basketball players who enjoyed his tutelage include his son, Ryan, his two nephews and other youngsters from the continent two of whom are rising NBA stars, Yves Missi and Josh Okogie.
Both 20-year-old Missi, a Cameroonian professional basketball player with the New Orleans Pelicans, and 26-year-old Nigerian-American shooting guard, Okojie, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets in the United States of America will talk about Dikembe’s influence and their successful careers so far in international basketball.
The 30-minute show will be on air on DSTV Channel 401 at 7.30 a.m. on Saturday with a repeat the same day at 11 a.m. On Sunday, other repeats will be broadcast at 3.30 a.m. and 6.p.m. and on Monday at 3.00 a.m. Further repeats come up at 7.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday next week; Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and on Monday at 4 a.m.
