Personality in Focus
Vanguard Personality Award: NAOSNP Celebrates Gov Sanwo-Olu
The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has congratulated the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on winning the prestigious Vanguard Personality of the Year Award.
In a statement signed by the Association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Eric Elezuo, NAOSNP described Sanwo-Olu as the best man for the award, citing his developmental efforts in Lagos, and more importantly his efforts at making Lagos a crime-free State.
The statement also revealed that the Association’s president, Mr Samson Oki, who was present at the event, is elated at Sanwo-Olu’s award, and highlighted the governor’s achievements, with special mention to the many assistance rendered to all security agents and law enforcement agents in the state. These include providing highly rated security equipment and also training for personnel.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s trajectory in governance is beyond the ordinary, and it is no surprise that many organisations, including colleagues in governance, have found in him a worthy companion in administrative convenience and in the provision of requisite dividends of democracy,” the statement said.
Recall that the Governor, who has spent only two years in the seat of power, was announced the personality of the year at the well attended Vanguard event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites weekend.
Responding, Sanwo-Olu, who dedicated the award to the people of Lagos State, disclosed that the award meant a lot to him as it would constantly remind him and his team to work harder for Lagosians.
“I feel highly honoured to receive the Vanguard Personality 2019/2020 by the Vanguard Newspapers Group. The awards means a lot to me. This prestigious award will be a constant reminder to me and my team to perform better to out do ourselves in the current year for efficient service delivery to the good people of Lagos State.”
He further reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieve the Greater Lagos vision in line with the THEMES agenda. He also thanked organisers of the award as well as the citizens for believing in the current administration, pledging that the government would not let them down.
“I wish to dedicate the awards to every Lagosian out there for believing in our administration’s vision of a Greater Lagos. We will not relent in our efforts to achieve this and other set goals along with our THEMES agenda.”
“My special thanks goes to the Vanguard Newspapers Group for the honour. Again, I thank Lagosians for standing by our government through the many phases since the beginning of the administration. Be assured that our best is yet to happen,” the governor said.
NAOSNP is an association of tested and trusted online publishers saddled with the responsibility of reporting researched, balanced and unadulterated security news.
The Association has received recognitions for its work from almost all security outfits operating in Lagos State and beyond.
Governor Sanwo-Olu was accompanied to the prestigious media award ceremony by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho; APC Lagos State Chairman, Mr. Tunde Balogun; Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Mrs Aramide Monsurat Adeyoye; Board Member, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan; Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai; Commissioner for Job Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke among others.
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.
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
Tinubu Hails FirstBank’s Immediately Past CEO, Adeduntan on Exceptional Service
By Eric Elezuo
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has congratulated the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan as the bank holds a splendid Sendforth party on his behalf for a meritorious service.
The president’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The statement reads in full:
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES DR ADEDUNTAN, AS FIRST BANK CELEBRATES EX-GROUP CEO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the retired Group Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Nigeria Limited, for his exceptional service at Nigeria’s oldest bank.
In celebration of Adeduntan’s remarkable tenure, the 130-year-old First Bank will host a special send-off ceremony this weekend, expressing gratitude for his contributions over the past nine years.
President Tinubu commends him for steering the bank through transformative growth, which includes expanding customer accounts from 10 million to over 42 million and elevating Profit Before Tax from N10 billion in 2015 to an impressive N300 billion in 2023.
These milestones, the President said, reflected Adeduntan’s visionary leadership and commitment to excellence.
The President expresses his appreciation for Adeduntan’s willingness to serve the nation in various pivotal roles, including his contributions to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and other prominent institutions. His extensive expertise in the financial sector has significantly bolstered Nigeria’s economic landscape.
President Tinubu also lauds the bank’s solid internal management ethos, which is responsible for the seamless transition from Adeduntan to the current CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu.
President Tinubu wishes Dr Adeduntan continued success in all his future endeavours.
