Personality in Focus
UBA Appoints Henrietta Ugboh Independent Non-Executive Director As Owanari Duke Retires from Group Board
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
The appointment has been approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria.
UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, CFR commenting on the appointment, said, “Henrietta Ugboh brings a track record of professional success, integrity and leadership, which will further strengthen the UBA Group Board, underlining once again the Group’s commitment to robust corporate governance.”
Ugboh holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, an MBA from ESUT Business School, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Management Program. She has over 30 years experience in banking with Citibank and is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).
Elumelu added that with her considerable experience and expertise, which includes commercial banking, credit, and risk management, the UBA Board is delighted to welcome Mrs Ugboh to the Group Board, “We look forward to her invaluable contribution to the Group, as we continue to execute our unique growth strategy across Africa and globally.”
The Board also announced the retirement of Mrs. Owanari Duke, an Independent Non-Executive Director, who joined the UBA Group Board in October 2012.
During her tenure, Mrs. Duke provided distinguished leadership, serving on Committees of the Bank including the Board Governance Committee, Board Audit, Governance, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Board Credit Committee, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Statutory Audit Committee.
On behalf of the board, Mr. Elumelu expressed UBA’s deep appreciation to Mrs. Duke for her dedication and significant contributions to the Group, wishing her the best in her future endeavour.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and related banking services.
Personality in Focus
Nestlé Nigeria Celebrates Excellence, Wins NECA, CIPM Awards
Leading dairy and beverage manufacturers, Nestlé Nigeria, has showcased its prowess in the field of manufacturing, employer excellence and sustainability with victory at two major award events, according to a statement by its Corporate Affairs Manager, Toju Egbebi, and made available to Pointblank.ng.
The statement reads in full:
Nestlé Nigeria emerged winner of the “NECA Excellence Award in Food & Beverages (Food) category at the “Employers’ Excellence Awards 2024”, organized by Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), in Lagos recently. The Company was also recognized for its investment in sustainability with the “Visible Impact Award in Investment in SDG and Green Projects” award.
The Employers’ Excellence Awards celebrates companies that made significant contributions to the economy during the year while prioritizing employee well-being, inclusivity, diversity and sustainability, especially in a challenging business environment.
Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA said, “The Employers’ Excellence Award has become a beacon of inspiration for companies in Nigeria, demonstrating that businesses can thrive by nurturing their workforce, investing in innovation, and giving back to the community. Nestlé has set a remarkable example of delivering positive impact for their people and the environment while successfully navigating today’s business challenges.”
It is significant to note that in October 2024, Nestle Nigeria also emerged winner in 11 out of 15 categories at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, CIPMN, Human Resources Best Practices OSCAR Awards.
“We are deeply honored to receive these prestigious awards,” stated Mr. Shakiru Lawal, Country Human Resources Manager, Nestlé Nigeria. “This recognition reflects our sustained efforts to nurture our most valuable assets – our people from hiring to retirement, by creating an open and respectful environment, investing in development, and ensuring access to coaching and mentorship.”
Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Manager at Nestlé Nigeria added, “In addition to our people first culture, we believe that our business success will be sustained by contributing to the growth of our environment, a principle we call Creating Shared Value. We believe that our success as a company is tied to the well-being of our employees, our communities, and the planet, and we remain committed to empowering our people while creating shared value.”
Nestle continues to make giant and significant strides through our people by prioritizing and investing in their development.
In line with its commitment to protecting the planet for future generations, Nestlé Nigeria sustained its plastics neutrality status, achieving 100% of 1ton in 1ton out basis removal of plastics packaging from the environment. The company remains the first and only company in Nigeria to achieve the maximum allowed quantity of recycled PET in its water bottles.
Nestlé has also begun transitioning its packaging to recyclable materials and has launched energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction initiatives across its operations, leading to substantial energy savings of over 46,729 GJ and a reduction of 5,274 tons of CO2 equivalent in GHG emissions.
Personality in Focus
Henry Ukazu: Celebrating A Catalyst of Pathfinding
Personality in Focus
Writers Celebrate Chinua Achebe’s 94th Posthumous Birthday
Writers across Nigeria, under the auspices of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), have united in commemorating the 94th posthumous birthday of one of Africa’s greatest literary icons, Prof. Chinua Achebe. Achebe, renowned globally for his groundbreaking novel *Things Fall Apart*, remains an enduring symbol of literary excellence and cultural preservation.
In a statement issued by Wole Adedoyin, the President of SYNW emphasized Achebe’s unmatched contributions to African literature and his role as a beacon of inspiration for writers across generations. Adedoyin highlighted the Society’s unwavering commitment to honoring Achebe’s legacy through creative and impactful initiatives.
One of the key tributes mentioned is the *Chinua Achebe Annual Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture*, initiated by the Anambra Chapter Coordinator of SYNW, Izunna Okafor. Now in its 9th edition, the festival has become a significant platform for celebrating Achebe’s works and discussing his influence on modern African literature.
Cynthia Maduekwe, the President of the Nigeria Society of Campus Writers, also spearheaded the *Writers Tour*, another initiative aimed at engaging young writers with Achebe’s literary philosophy. This tour exposes aspiring authors to Achebe’s timeless themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and societal transformation, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) reaffirmed its dedication to Achebe’s memory through these longstanding programs. Writers across the country were encouraged to reflect on Achebe’s life and works, sharing tributes and essays on social media platforms to further propagate his vision of storytelling.
Adedoyin lauded the efforts of writers like Okafor and Maduekwe, whose initiatives keep Achebe’s legacy alive.
He also urged literary organizations and institutions to continue collaborating to sustain Achebe’s impact on African literature and culture.
“Prof. Achebe’s work transcends literature. He gave Africans a voice on the global stage, presenting our stories with authenticity and pride. Celebrating his 94th posthumous birthday is a reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping society,” Adedoyin stated.
The SYNW also used the opportunity to announce plans for a series of upcoming events dedicated to Achebe in the coming year, including essay competitions, poetry readings, and book discussions. These programs aim to further Achebe’s vision of nurturing literary talent and promoting African narratives.
As the literary community celebrates Achebe’s life and achievements, his timeless words resonate: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
Achebe’s legacy continues to inspire writers to tell their own stories, preserving the richness of African culture for generations to come.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers concluded by inviting literary enthusiasts to join in celebrating Achebe’s enduring impact, emphasizing that his legacy is a shared treasure for all who value the power of words.