Connect with us


BIG STORY

UBA Appoints Abiola Bawuah As First Female CEO For Africa Operations

Published

on

  • Announces Six other Executive Appointments Samuel Oni Retires from the Group Board

The Board of Directors of the United Bank for Africa Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, today announces the appointment of Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UBA Africa. Bawuah will also join the Group Board as an Executive Director, overseeing the Group’s operations across the African continent, outside Nigeria. UBA operates in 19 African countries beyond Nigeria, in addition to global operations in New York, London, Paris and the UAE.

Bawuah, a Ghanaian national, is the first female CEO of UBA Africa. Her appointment further demonstrates UBA’s commitment to diversity. The UBA Group Board now includes eight female Directors.

Prior to her appointment, Bawuah was Regional CEO, West Africa, supervising the Group’s operations in nine subsidiaries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. She previously held the role of CEO, UBA Ghana.

Speaking on the new appointment, the Group Board Chairman Mr Tony O. Elumelu said, “Abiola has contributed significantly to the growth of UBA Africa for close to a decade. She brings a wealth of experience in commercial banking, and stakeholder engagement. It also gives me great pleasure that with her appointment, the UBA Group Board has now become a majority female board.”

The UBA Group also announced the following executive roles:

Chris Ofikulu becomes the Regional CEO, UBA West Africa. Ofikulu, who has over two decades of banking experience spanning corporate, commercial, and retail banking.

Uzoechina Molokwu will take on the role as Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of UBA Ghana, subject to local regulatory approvals. He was previously the Executive Director, Business Development – UBA Côte d’Ivoire and has over 23 years banking experience.

Ayokunle Olajubu will be the Managing Director/CEO UBA Liberia, subject to local regulatory approvals. He currently drives compliance across Africa subsidiaries andcomes with 30 years banking experience in Nigeria and other African countries,includingSierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire and the Gambia.

Theresa Henshaw has been appointed as CEO of UBA UK, subject to local regulatory approvals. She was previously the DMD, Business Development, UBA America, and joined the Group as ED, Business Development at UBA UK.

Usman Isiaka, currently CEO, UBA Sierra Leone, will be the Deputy CEO in UBA America, subject to local regulatory approvals.

Adeyemi Adeleke, the former CEO of UBA, UK is now the Group Treasurer. Adeleke will be working to unlock the immense value in the Group’s multi-jurisdictional balance sheet, leveraging on its presence in 24 countries within and beyond Africa.

In addition to the executive appointments, UBA has announced the retirement of High Chief Samuel Oni, an independent non-executive Director, from the Board following the expiration of his tenure. He joined the UBA Group in January 2015 and served on the Board of the Group for eight years.

The Group Chairman Mr. Elumelu expressed his appreciation to High Chief Oni, for his commitment, leadership, and extensive contributions to the UBA Group and on behalf of the Board, wishes him the very best in all his future endeavors.

Operating in twenty African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates, United Bank for Africa provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology. UBA is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group-wide and serving over 37 million customers globally

BIG STORY

UK Grants Duty-free Access To 3,000 Nigerian Products Under New Trade Scheme

Published

on

The United Kingdom has revealed that more than 3,000 Nigerian products, such as cocoa and cashew, are now eligible to enter the UK market either duty-free or at reduced tariffs. The Country Director for the UK Department for Business and Trade, Mark Smithson, announced this development as part of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) in a recent video released by the UK in Nigeria.

“Up to 3,000 products from Nigeria qualify for low tariff or no tariff access to the UK through the Developing Countries Scheme, one of the most generous trading schemes in the world,” Smithson stated.

He added that the UK has streamlined the process for Nigerian exporters, making it simpler to trade a wide range of goods, including cocoa and textiles.

Smithson urged Nigerian exporters to take advantage of this opportunity.

“The UK is open and looking to do business with Nigeria. So why don’t you go to the website and find out more about the Developing Countries Trading Scheme and begin to trade with us?”

The DCTS, launched in 2023, replaced the UK’s former Generalised Scheme of Preferences. It aims to lower tariffs and simplify trading regulations for over 60 developing countries, Nigeria included.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Abosede Tomori Foundation (ATF) Launches In Lagos With Health Outreach, MSME Cash Grants [PHOTOS]

Published

on

The Abosede Tomori Foundation (ATF) made a debut in Lagos on Saturday with its flagship health outreach programme and cash grants for the unemployed, small, and micro businesses.

Speaking during the launching of the foundation in Ejigbo, Oshodi-Isolo constituency II, its Chairman and Special Assistant to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development on Media, Segun Tomori revealed that ATF was conceptualized to immortalize his late mother, Abosede Adebisi Tomori, and honour her legacy of generosity by providing succor to the less privileged and lifting the downtrodden.

“I lost her when I was still finding my feet, when I couldn’t repay her unparalleled kindness and love, when I couldn’t give her the life she deserves. So, I made a solemn vow to do what I could to ensure that her name never fades. To ensure it is etched in our hearts, in the hearts of the downtrodden, not only in this constituency, but across the length and breadth of the country, “Tomori asserted

According to him, “Our mission at ATF is to honour her legacy of generosity by transforming lives and building communities for the emancipation of the less privileged. It is our vision to shape communities, where dignity of lives matter, ensuring support, not struggle, defines the human experience.”

The intervention areas of the foundation is encapsulated in five thematic areas including health outreach to the less privileged; Skill development & scholarship targeting disadvantaged Youth; Schools Intervention Programme (SIP) to assist indigent children access basic education; Food packs support for disadvantaged families and cash grants to boost Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

The foundation kickstarted its interventions with a health outreach programme that provided free medical care for about 250 residents of Oshodi-Isolo constituency II comprising Ejigbo and Isolo LCDAs while owners of 50 micro and small businesses received cash grants of N50,000 each. Additionally, over 130 bags of 5kg rice were distributed to indigent beneficiaries.

” This is only the beginning – we intend to scale up these interventions and extend it beyond this constituency to other parts of Lagos state and across the length and breadth of the country,” Tomori added

Delivering the keynote address, chairman of the occasion, and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, ably represented by his Special Adviser, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan applauded Tomori on the laudable initiative, noting his unwavering dedication as a public servant and expressing confidence that the same passion would drive the success of the foundation.

Describing the intervention areas of the foundation as brilliant, compassionate and timely, the minister urged Nigerians to emulate Tomori by finding ways to support people in their communities, stressing that such grassroots interventions complement government efforts as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

In his goodwill message, Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Muhammed Bulama lauded Tomori for launching the foundation at a young age, describing him as a “rare breed with great potential.”

He emphasised that the initiative aligns with FRCN’s motto of “Uplifting the people and Uniting the Nation”, assuring the foundation of the unalloyed support of the corporation to ensure it impacts more communities across the country.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Minister of Solid Minerals Development represented by Special Adviser, Kehinde Bamigbetan; Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Muhammed Bulama; Representative of DG of National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Lagos State Director of the agency, Mustafa Adedeji Tukur; representive of the Executive Secretary of Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Bola Atanda; Deputy Managing Director of Rapidlink Resources, Samson Enema, political and community leaders of Ejigbo and Isolo LCDAs, market association leaders amongst others.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

As WAFCON Kicks Off Today, The Falcons Of Nigeria Will Win Their 10th Title — By Seun Oloketuyi

Published

on

The energy in Morocco is electric. From the bustling streets of Rabat to the buzzing stadium corridors in Casablanca, a continental celebration of football has begun. The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, delayed until 2025, kicks off today — and as the anthem rings out to open the tournament, one team walks into the spotlight with more than just ambition. The Super Falcons of Nigeria are here to reclaim what they’ve long considered theirs: the WAFCON crown.

Nine-time champions, decorated with decades of dominance, Nigeria’s women’s team has been the pride of African football. But this time, there’s something different. It’s not just about titles or rankings. It’s about redemption. Two years ago, the Falcons fell short, narrowly edged out of the final by host nation Morocco and forced to watch South Africa take the throne. That sting hasn’t faded — it’s fuel.

The players know what’s at stake. Asisat Oshoala, now playing for Bay FC in the U.S. after an illustrious run with Barcelona, returns with fire in her eyes and form in her boots. Alongside her, a younger generation is rising — bold, unshaken, hungry. In training, the tempo has been sharp. In their voices, confidence. In their hearts, belief,She is expected to inspire the younger generation lead by the team Captain Rasheedat and the new blood of Alozie,Ashley,Esther and Toni Payne plus Ayinde a lot is expected.

Now led by new head coach Justine Madugu, following the departure of Randy Waldrum, the Falcons are embracing a refreshed style of play — blending tactical discipline with expressive, fearless attacking football. Madugu has not only brought structure but also instilled belief, trust, and a renewed fighting spirit,Many including me are still stunned Monday Gift is not in this team but yet we are behind them.

The road won’t be easy. Morocco is loud and proud on home soil. South Africa still glows from their 2022 triumph. Zambia arrives with momentum. But even in the shadows of rising stars, Nigeria still stands tallest. When the Super Falcons walk out tomorrow against Tunisia for their opening match, they’ll carry more than just jerseys on their backs. They’ll carry history. Legacy. And expectation.

This is a team that has shaped the narrative of African women’s football for decades. Their dominance isn’t luck. It’s culture. Discipline. Passion. Every touch of the ball, every sprint, every tackle will be driven by the memory of past glories — and the desire to write a new chapter.

As the tournament kicks off today, the message from Nigeria is clear: the Falcons are flying again. Not with arrogance, but with assurance. And by the time the final whistle blows in Rabat on July 26, they believe they’ll be right where they belong — lifting the trophy for a record 10th time.

Africa is watching. Nigeria is ready.

I Totally believe Falcons will come home with the 10th Wafcon

  • Seun Oloketuyi the producer of Flying with the Falcons

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular