Connect with us

Society

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA HONOURS ZENITH BANK CEO, EBENEZER ONYEAGWU WITH A DOCTORATE DEGREE

Published

on

L – R: Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Charles Arinzechukwu Igwe; Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Amb. Bako Sani; Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu; and Mrs Kachi Onyeagwu during the conferment of the Doctorate Degree in Business Administration on Dr. Onyeagwu by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka at the weekend.

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, was on Saturday, March 25, 2023, conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The award, which is in recognition of his immense achievements as Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank as well as his contributions to the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria and across the African continent, was conferred on him during the 50th convocation ceremony of the University.

Speaking during the conferment ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Igwe, congratulated Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu for distinguishing himself in his career and for his service to humanity, which made him worthy to receive the prestigious Doctorate Degree from Nigeria’s first indigenous University.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwuexpressed his gratitude to the University of Nigeria for finding him a worthy recipient of the Doctorate Degree in Business Administration of one of the leading universities in Nigeria, considering the very rigorous process of selection of awardees by the institution. In his words, “for me to have been considered and to have passed through the meticulous selection process makes it the more dignifying because I have no connection with the University.”

Noting that the award represents a validation of the outstanding corporate governance, ethical leadership, and overall outstanding performance that Zenith Bank is recording, Dr. Onyeagwu dedicated the award to the board and management of Zenith, especially theFounder and Chairman, Dr. Jim Ovia, CFR, who has remained a mentor, a leader and a source of inspirationto everyone at the Bank and beyond; the staff, for being the shoulder and proverbial base of the pyramid upon which his achievements and success as CEO of the leading financial institution in Nigeria rests; the Bank’s customers for their unflinching loyalty to the brand; and to his family for their unceasing love and support.

Presenting the citation of Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu to the assemblage at the 50th Convocation Ceremony for the conferment of the Doctorate Degree in Business Administration, the orator of the University of Nigeria, Dr. Ikenna Onwuegbuna noted that Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu is an alumnus of Auchi Polytechnic, the University of Oxford, England and Salford Business School, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom, Delta State University, Abraka. Also, he is an alumnus of Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School of Columbia University, and the Harvard Business School of Harvard University in the United States.

Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu is a Fellow (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), the Institute of Credit Administrators (ICA) and Senior Associate Member, Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (RIMAN).

Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu is the Chairman of the Body of Banks’ Chief Executive Officers, Nigeria and Chairman of Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited and Zenith Nominees Limited. He is also on the Board of Zenith Bank (UK) Limited, FMDQ Holdings Plc and Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF). Ebenezer Onyeagwu is a member of the International Monetary Conference (IMC), the Wall Street Journal CEO Council, member of the African Trade Gateway Advisory Council of the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and member of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). He also served on the board of Zenith Bank Ghana Limited, Zenith General Insurance, Zenith Securities Limited, Zenith Assets Management Company, Zenith Medicare Limited, and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Dr. Onyeagwu’s track record of excellence has also seen him win several individual awards, including being named Bank CEO of the Year (2019) by Champion Newspaper, Bank CEO of the Year (2020, 2021 & 2022) by BusinessDay Newspaper, CEO of the Year (2020 and 2021) – SERAS Awards, and CEO of the Year (2022) – Leadership Newspaper.

Other recipients of  Doctorate Degrees at the 50th convocation ceremony include former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was conferred with the Doctor of Public Administration, and the Chairman of Hobark International Limited, Dr. Obiora Fubara, who received the Doctor of Business Administrat ion. A retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Odili, was conferred with the Doctor of Law; however, her conferment was deferred to a later date because she was unavoidably absent at the ceremony.

 

Society

Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege Quiet 61st Birthday celebration

Published

on

By

 The immediate past Deputy President of the Senate and All Progressives Congress APC candidate at the last Delta State guber election; Senator Ovie Omo-Agege CFR, was very vocal in the 9th Senate where he sponsored life-changing bills and made landmark achievements. He came into prominence when he was alleged to have invaded the senate chamber with thugs while he ran away with the mace at the 8th senate, but he long debunked it; stating he knows nothing about what happened. 
 When he was the deputy president of the senate, his birthdays were met with a roller coaster of gifts, advertorials, calls, text messages, and social media posts. High-profile individuals, captains of industries, political stakeholders and favour seekers throng to his Abuja and Delta home to pay homage and share in his pot full of joy but his birthday this year, was devoid of such opulence he got while in office. We also gathered that; While he was in office, he empowered many people in his capacity to make life easy for those around him. He was a man with a large heart and also went all out to ensure people around him were sorted but only a few of them remembered his birthday.
 At his Abuja home on the 3rd of August, his 61st birthday was quiet as only a few people celebrated with him and his family. Favour seekers and friends have deserted him. The benefit he enjoyed while in office was no longer accorded to him as he celebrated his 61st birthday at his Abuja residence with few friends, former aides and his wife Rosemary. Flipping through the newspapers, only a handful of advertorials were placed on his behalf. He seems unperturbed as he made sure he enjoyed his birthday with the few people who came to his house while he had the birthday toast to long life done by Delta State former Governor, James Ibori’s daughter, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu who is also the Chairman House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC.

Continue Reading

Society

64 Salute to BUA boss Abdusamad Rabiu

Published

on

By

Abdulsamad Rabiu
 
Forbes-rated billionaire business magnate; Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu founder of BUA groups is synonymous with that proverbial tsunami hovering around the business firmament, changing business narratives and causing disruption worldwide. His achievements are unrivalled and impeccable that a toddler can even speak of his giant strides to put Nigeria on the world map. While growing up, he learnt the ABC of doing business from his Old Money bag father Alhaji Isyaku Rabiu, and one thing he learnt which he has inculcated in his dealings is; truthfulness, integrity, prudence, Fidelity and the ability to play by the rules not beating the rules.
 If you wonder how he was able to maintain a stellar performance on and off business, adhering strictly to the rules has made him rise above all his competitors. Over the years, He has lost billions of dollars trying to remain upright and truthful at a time when many of his peers have exploited the venerability of their numerous customers. Abdulsamad would rather bear the loss than inflict pain on his customers. On several occasions, some of his competitors often fight him for not increasing the prices of his commodities at peak periods. He has been dragged on several mediums, blackmailed but he would rather do things that will be of massive favour to the general masses who are struggling in times of the biting economy.
 The BUA group boss sees wealth as God-given, he believes no amount of wealth you have if you are not generous and considerate of the less privileged, the wealth is nothing but absurdity and frivolity that has no impact. That’s why he has over the years invested in generous giving and dangerous philanthropy. In Nigeria of today; no businessman has given more than him. He has crested his name in the hearts of many as one of the biggest philanthropists to ever emerge from Nigeria. His bogus donation to fund research and education across Africa through its yearly $100 million ASR Africa Fund for Social Development.
For a man whose business is tied around sharing prosperity among people and creating healthy competition among competitors, he has never for once amassed wealth illegitimately. He has invested in key areas of the economy and is also known for sharing prosperity with his business magic wand. As of today, he is regarded as one of the biggest investors in the Nigerian economy with business interests in real estate, sugar, cement, oil and gas among other business chains tied to him.
 Last weekend the business colossus celebrated his 64th birthday with no fanfare. He opted to make it a private celebration where he needed to display wealth due to the current economic situation in the country when many Nigerians are finding it hard to eat due to the dwindling global economy. Abdulsamad who would have hosted his friends to an elaborate party but opted to offer prayers to his creator, hosted his children and grandchildren. He is one of the few people who believes that Nigeria will have a great turnaround in the current dispensation more reason he is investing heavily to ensure economic prosperity for the country.

Continue Reading

Society

Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye: Gathering Intelligence, Countering Terrorism and Restoring Security Confidence

Published

on

By

By Oladapo Sofowora 

 Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, the Nigerian Army Chief of Defence Intelligence is not your run-on-the-mill military officer. He lives a very simple abstract life devoid of fanfare and does not love to blow his trumpet himself. Since his days as a junior officer in the Nigerian Army; Emmanuel has distinguished himself as a fine officer whose future was bright and crystal clear. He remained resilient and focused on his way to the top and didn’t expect a reward for any of his hard work. 
Undiandeye as the Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State, and also as a member of the Troop Contributing Countries Working Group for developing the second edition of the United Nations Infantry Battalion Manual (UNIBAM) showed capacity and with his repertoire of knowledge and his dedication to work. Those who have had an opportunity to work with him have testified to the fact that; he is an angel in human form. He is a non-tribal Nigerian who cares less about your origin. But sees everyone as one and gives everyone under his command equal opportunity. He is always happy to see people under him thrive and soar higher.
The erstwhile boss he worked with confirmed that he is indeed a swizz knife that can function in a multi-dimensional way. Some say; he is a quiet but suave man who just wants to do his job and go without accolades but the good work and passion he has put into his job over the years made him singled out among his peers for elevation. Today, he didn’t just get to his position by fluke but rather by sheer dint of hard work and resilience believing in himself and his creator who rewards diligence and hard work.
 Today, the Bedia, Obudu LGA Calabar-born military man has continued to soar higher in his capacity as Chief of Defence intelligence. An avid team player; he believes in the ability to collaborate which has made his job easier and also the ability to work from the back seat not looking for any validation.
 Furthermore, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye’s dedication to his role has led to the successful foiling of attacks and the arrest of adversaries threatening the integrity of Nigeria. His strategic use of intelligence, technology, and collaboration with other agencies has resulted in significant advancements in combating insurgency, economic sabotage, and other threats to the nation’s progress. While many are not aware of his giant strides; the proactive man has been at the forefront of the improvement of Nigeria’s security architecture. What many thought was hard in gathering intelligence; under his watch, he simplified it. Under his watch, the military has recorded high success in reducing insurgency, Oil and Gas theft, economic sabotage, and militancy among other menace standing against the growth of the country.
While many knew Military men to be tough and no-nonsense people, CDI is a very kind human who sees himself as an ordinary servant of the people rather than being a tyrant like many people see some men in uniform. He has openly condemned the conduct of some military officers who openly oppress civilians saying they are supposed to be good ambassadors and they owe their allegiance to the people. Despite his position; he has never failed to show his milk of kindness to his people. While many will desert their home town when in big positions; he rather committed to several projects that will benefit his hometown.
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye’s approach to leadership emphasizes collaboration, compassion, and service to the community. He has shown remarkable kindness and generosity by initiating projects aimed at benefiting all sundry, such as renovating schools, and hospitals, and supporting communal development. His commitment to uplifting humanity and contributing to nation-building reflects a deep sense of responsibility and care for the well-being of others. He was also said to have handed scholarships to brilliant students and supported women in the community by providing basic amenities for communal survival. Those who are close to him have disclosed that he is a man who loathes the sight of people in distress; he is always ready to do everything within his power to bring succor.

Chief of Defence Intellegence; Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye

 His exemplary conduct and emphasis on integrity in the face of adversity set a positive example for others to follow. In the pursuit of his duties, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye has remained steadfast in his commitment to professionalism and service to the people. He has consistently advocated for the respect and protection of civilians, illustrating his belief in the essential values of justice, fairness, and compassion. Despite his simplicity; some are taking it for cowardice but he has maintained composure in the face of provocation. Some of his cynics who didn’t want him to succeed have been sponsoring media campaigns to soil his good reputation using some section of the media. They have resorted to character assassination and casting aspersions on him but despite knowing those behind it; in his love for peace he has extended an olive branch to them to have a change of mind and desist from pulling down a man after God’s heart.
Despite all the campaigns Calumny; has continued to deliver in his primary assignment and his name soaring like wildfire despite staying out of media cynosure. Despite facing unwarranted criticism and attempts to tarnish his reputation, he has maintained his dedication to delivering on his responsibilities while displaying admirable resilience and composure. It is important to recognize and appreciate Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye’s contributions as an unsung hero in the quest to make Nigeria a haven. His unwavering commitment to strengthening security and protecting lives and properties has been invaluable to the nation. His remarkable leadership, integrity, and compassion serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for others to strive for excellence and service to humanity.

Continue Reading

Trending News