Boss Of The Week
Valentine Ozigbo: Classy Achiever in Constant Pursuit of Excellence
Published
4 years agoon
By
EricBy Eric Elezuo
Simplicity is his watchword, just as achievement is his trademark. The man, who describes himself as ‘multiple village boy’ considering his triangular movement from Umuamaku to Apko and to Umesi, all in Aguata for his early education, is much more than commonsense can fathom in painstakingness, determination, commitment and eagle eyed focus. His name is Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (TRANSCORP). He is better known and addressed as Val by friends and contemporaries.
The July 20, 1970 born Anambra billionaire is many things in one. He is a product of countless encounters, all of each he triumphed in, coming out with his head held high, and like Ulysses, in Lord Alfred Tennyson’s poem, seeking more worlds to conquer.
In his words:
“My personality is simple. I am a man in pursuit of excellence. I am out to impact lives. I believe there is enormity of grace of God in me. And freely, I received the grace, and freely I must pass on that grace.. This is one philosophy that guides me. I am looking for better ways, newer ways and more creative ways to do things; check through from my primary school days till today. I want to shine in everything I do and whatever I touch. I want to show a difference so that when I’m gone, people will talk about that.
‘I am a person who prefers to hear what people say behind me to what they say in my presence. That’s actually what is important to me. I am a man who is built on the philosophy of continuous improvement, meaning that I must challenge the status quo. I am sold to looking for better and newer ways of doing things. Anything whatsoever! It can be anything as trivial as washing plates at home to something big as changing the economy. So in anything I do, I want to make a great difference.
“I am also a man who has been blessed with multiple exposure in life. I have been moved from being a young student of Accounting to a Chartered Accountant to being a banker, entertainer, entertainment promoter down to hospitality expert, power expert, soccer enthusiast and promoter to youth builder, philanthropist and hopefully, soon a governor of a state.”
A first class business executive, Ozigbo was born in Umuamaku in Orumba, from where he moved to Akpo, also in Orumba before moving to his own village, Amesi, a small town in present-day Anambra State. This is where he was enrolled in the town’s secondary school, Christ the Redeemer College, which according to him, was like going abroad. He came out tops in his O’levels. It was not a surprise as he had exhibited distinct intelligence, representing his school in various academic competitions. Ozigbo did not leave this village until the age of 19 in 1989. He said that mere driving through the expressway on his way to Lagos later in life was a different kind of experience. He had not seen such sights before. Passing through that lane gave him the faith of an already made man. And that is what he turned out to become.
While awaiting university admission, Ozigbo was admitted to teach Physics and Mathematics at his alma mater. It was a reward for hardwork, trust and integrity. He was later given admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to study Accounting. As expected, he excelled, graduating in 1994 as the best student in both Accounting and Business Administration.
Like a teacher he had grown to be, Ozigbo couldn’t identify where his influence stopped, so he applied, studied and obtained his Masters Degree in Banking and Finance, also from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2000 and followed it up with an M.Sc in Finance from the Lancaster University, United Kingdom, with distinction, in 2004.
Growing to become the President and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, a diversified conglomerate with strategic investments and core interests in the hospitality, agribusiness and energy sectors, in 2019, was not a fluke. The agile Igbo man, who is looking forward to becoming the governor of Anambra State in 2021, went through the ladder of struggle, dedication and utmost success, taking life one at a time.
Before hitting the pinnacle of his business career, Ozigbo had amassed 17 years accumulated experience in the banking industry, with stints at NAL Merchant Bank, Diamond Bank, Continental Trust Bank, FSB International Bank, Standard Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa and Bank PHB. He also worked as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TRANSCORP Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Nigerian conglomerate TRANSCORP Group, where his abilities extended average, creating a leverage for himself to head the conglomerate in the later days.
While at the hospitality destination, he ensured the hotel’s spread to other cities across Nigeria and a consolidation of its status as the leading hotel in the country. Nairametrics reported that under him, the company announced an N8 billion initial public offering (IPO) in 2014, which was oversubscribed. He is a go-getter.
Between 1995 and 2000, he was Head of Commercial Banking at Diamond Bank Plc before proceeding to United Bank for Africa where he worked functioned as the Business Manager.
His stay in the capacity lasted only one year as moved to FSB International Bank in 2001 where he was the Acting Regional Director. He made a dramatic return to United Bank for Africa in 2004, and served for four fruitful years as Head of International Banking. His last banking industry was with Keystone Bank where he served as the General Manager of the bank’s Global Transaction operation.
A British Chevening Scholar of 2003/04, Ozigbo’s achievement’s between 2011 and 2018 when he oversaw the activities of the TRANSCORP Hotels cannot be overemphasized. He, among other things, was also responsible for developing five new projects worth over $500 million including two hotels in Lagos and Port Harcourt, a 5000-capacity conference facility, luxury apartments and the upgrade of existing hotels with additional retail facilities.
The impeccable entrepreneur is not new to awards, honours and accolades. He has over 12 local and international awards. He was inducted into the prestigious Seven Stars Pantheon hall of fame during the Pantheon of the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyles Awards which took place in the luxury Greek island of Crete. Ozigbo is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, which he obtained in 1998, Taxation as well as The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, received in 2000. He also belong to the Institute of Credit Administration which he bagged in 2015.
In September 2018, he was conferred with the award of a Distinguished Alumni of the Lancaster University at a special convocation ceremony of the university held at its Ghana Campus.
Ozigbo also participated in many international conferences including: the World Economic Forum at Davos (WEF) and the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) in Nigeria; the African Development Bank annual meetings in China; the World Bank/ International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings in Washington DC; Euromoney and Economist Conferences in London; Euromoney debates on Capital Flows to Africa in London; and SIBOS 2009. The experiences he gained are unquantifiable.
The man call Val is not just a boardroom guru, he is also endowed with milk of human kindness, lifting the youths of his Aguata locality up to the national level. As part of his efforts to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated a whooping N20 million, and has been involved in various developmental projects in his Anambra constituency. This has given him leverage as the next Anambra governorship election fast approaches.
In his bid to reach out to a great number of people, his Chineto Ozigbo Foundation is running several programmes focused on youth and women entrepreneurial development. This has empowered thousands of people in Anambra State as well as reduced poverty. It is no surprise that he is known as “King of the Youth” in the state. A typical ‘osinanwata buru ogaranya’
The foundation is also giving out loan guarantee support of N100 million for small businesses in Anambra State as the COVID-19 pandemic bites harder. This, according to him, is a tip of the iceberg, considering the goodies that await Anambra people when he eventually becomes governor.
His confidence is centred on the people who he believes have felt the impact of his philanthropy and believes he could do more given the privilege to preside over the affairs of Anambra State.
Set to hit the golden jubilee age in less than two months, Ozigbo is married, and blessed with children.
Congratulations sir, you are our Boss of the Week!
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Dr Stephen Akintayo: Leading Gtext Homes to Strategic Marketing Advantage
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I advise young people who rush into politics to build a name, if you do something solid the politicians will beg you because they know you have the solution, the capacity, and the answers. For me, I am very well positioned globally, growing my business is very important to me, supporting people in government across the world. We want to start partnering with people in government but we want to make sure our record is clean, our stories are clear because if you do not tell your stories, others will tell their own and their own will become the truth so we need to tell our own.
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Adedeji Adeleke: Celebrating a Philanthropist at 67
Published
3 weeks agoon
March 10, 2024By
EricBy Eric Elezuo
At 67, he still remains one of the most sought after personalities with the milk of human kindness. His philanthropy reverberates across the length and breadth of the African continent, and with a net-worth of over 1.7 billion in United States of American dollars, it is not hard to imagine that the erudite scholar and reputed oil and real estate magnate, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, is a force to reckon with in the Nigerian socio-political and economic terrain.
To many, he is the hitherto unknown ‘Baba Olowo’, as represented by his son, David Adeleke, in his hit song, Emi Omo Baba Olowo, to many others, he is just the father of one of Nigeria’s successful musicians, Davido, and to many others, he is the pathfinder that has helped in paving a path of fruitfulness for the Adeleke family in particular, and the people of Osun State in general.
Ebullient and renowned, Dr. Adedeji Tajudeen Adeleke, a native of Ede in Osun State, was born on March 6, 1957 in Enugu State, to Ayoola Raji Adeleke and Esther Nnenna Adeleke. Growing up with his maternal grandmother, fashioned in him the distinct features of Nigerian-ism thus becoming one of the few Nigerians, who are privileged to savour the true Nigerian originality, boasting of two physical ethnicities – Yoruba and Igbo.
Adeleke’s linage is blessed as his siblings are also movers and shakers of the Nigerian political and economic environments. His elder brother, late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, was the first civilian governor of Osun State, and his younger brother, Senator Ademola Adeleke, is the present governor of Osun State.
Fondly called Deji by family members and loved ones, and Chairman by friends and associates, Dr. Adeleke, whose father was a renowned labour leader and activist, in addition to being the Balogun of Ede land and one time Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is many things one.
Tapping from the Igbo background of his beloved mother and the Yoruba originality of his father, Dr. Adeleke has overtime showcased qualities that stood him out as a believer in the oneness of the country, Nigeria.
Dr. Adeleke lived his early life in Enugu, where he developed inert abilities to mastering business craftsmanship, before moving to Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Surulere Lagos, for his primary education. Thereafter, he proceeded to Seventh-Day Adventist Grammar School, Ede where he graduated from in 1975, obtaining his West African School Certificate in flying colours.
His brilliance, coupled with opportunities, created a leeway for him thereafter to proceed to Western Kentucky University in the United States of America where he distinguished himself in academics and other endeavours, and graduating with a Bachelors degree in Finance in 1979.
A thoroughbred lover of education, Adeleke followed up his bachelors degree triumph with an MBA in 1981 and thereafter a Ph.D. in International Business from Pacific Columbia University, Mills Valley, California in 1983. It is not an understatement to say the proverbial ‘baba olowo’ is well read.
Having completed the academic trilogy, and with undisputable qualifications, Adeleke returned to serve his fatherland in the capacity of a Corps member in the National Youth Service Corps scheme; a clarion call he obeyed with all his being as a true Nigerian.
Armed and totally ready to take on the world, Adeleke ventured into the entrepreneurial world, audaciously establishing a drilling company, Pacific Drilling Company Limited which soon became the brainchild of other entrepreneurial ventures, metamorphosing into Pacific Holdings Limited, with a distinct focus on finances and investments in different sectors of the Nigerian economy, which comprises other groups of companies with diverse biases, including Pacific Energy Limited.
An egghead of no mean abilities, Adeleke is one of few academics, who holds double doctoral degrees, as he was privileged to bag a second Ph.D from the University of Phoenix, Arizona USA, where he studiously laboured for his honours.
His lofty academic sojourns have in more ways than one paved the way for him to conquer the competitive world of entrepreneurship. He is also the founder and Chairman Board of Directors of Pacific Merchant Bank Ltd which later became one of the legacy banks in the guise of present day Unity Bank Plc.
Quintessential in all ramifications, Dr. Adeleke is a philanthropist of note as his foundations and establishments speak volumes of his worth, and what he is capable of doing. Among his many foundations, dedicated to the upliftment of mankind, is the Springtime Development Foundation (SDF), a not-for-profit NGO, which has become a vehicle for the awards of scholarships at all levels of education, and distribution of medical assistance to diverse medical units across board; locally and internationally to meet the needs of needy Nigerians.
Adeleke’s SDF is also the brain behind the establishment of the prestigious Adeleke University Ede, where he is the Pro-Chancellor. In addition, Dr. Adeleke sits on the board of various blue chip companies across the globe.
Adedeji Adeleke through the Springtime Development Foundation (SDF) founded Adeleke University in Osun State ede, to ensure less privileged students have access to a quality higher education.
Adeleke is known to be not just a father in words, but highly impactful, consciously and unconsciously imparting his children and any other person that crosses his path with his Midas touch of gold.
It has been said that no one comes his way, and leaves without a meaningful impact in his life. With his SDF tool, not a few lives have witnessed a turnaround.
Dr. Adeleke is blessed with four children, two males and two females named Adewale Adeleke, David Adeleke (Davido), Sharon and Ashley Coco, from his beautiful wife, Veronica, who died in 2003, and many grandchildren. His children are living examples of his paternal influence as they all have carved a veritable niche and influence for themselves in different areas of human endeavours.
His youngest son, Davido, is a world renowned musician and philanthropist, carting away awards after awards in many areas, and luving the life of a real chip off the old block with humongous acts of giving that has left many just wondering.
He also has numerous grandchildren among whom are Imade Adeleke, Hailey Adeleke and the newest twins, who are Davido’s children.
Adeleke is a lover of life, and the good things that come with it. As a result, he owns a Bombardier Challenger 605 Business jet and a Bombardier Global Express 6000 for both classic luxury and ease of movement, as an international businessman, who is constantly on the move.
At 67, Adeleke could be described as an accomplished husband, father, nationalist and entrepreneur.
We salute your dexterity and pray for more of wealth and health and many more years of celebrations. Happy birthday a true legend!
We celebrate you sir!
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Boss Of The Week
Babajide Sanwo-Olu: A Governor and His Many Gracious Strides
Published
4 weeks agoon
March 3, 2024By
EricEarlier, Sanwo-Olu briefly attended Government Demonstration School, Gbaja Surulere before moving to Ijebu-Ife Grammar School, Ogun State to complete his secondary education.
A politician of positive repute, Sanwo-Olu began his political career in 2003, when he was appointed a Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to the then deputy governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro. He was later made the acting Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget until 2007, when he was appointed as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry by then governor, Bola Tinubu. After the General Elections of 2007, Sanwo-Olu was appointed Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions by Governor Babatunde Fashola. He was later moved to the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2016 as the Managing Director.
Sanwo-olu’s achievements are renewed on a daily basis as a they keep springing up without notice. Some of his notable public sector achievements however, include the supervision of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) privatization projects. He set up and was the Pioneer Board Chairman of Lagos Security Trust Fund. The LAGBUS System and the Control & Command Centre in Alausa Ikeja were subsequently established under his directives.
Sanwo-Olu, like many of his predecessors, has kept faith with the Lagos master plan, and has worked assiduously to maintain and meet the target. He has therefore, been working on different development activities, one of which is road construction across major areas in Lagos state.
In 2020, Sanwo-olu asked that the statue of Fela Kuti that was erected by Akinwunmi Ambode be removed from Allen Avenue in Ikeja, to ease the situation of traffic in that area. However, the statue is said to be relocated to a more convenient area in the State. He commissioned the Oshodi -Abule-Egba BRT Lane amongst other projects in 2020.
Sanwo-olu has worked on the Control & Command Centre in Alausa, which significantly improved the capacity of the security agencies to respond to distress calls in a swift and timely manner.
While under appointment as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC) in 2016, he, as a visionary administrator returned the hitherto struggling organisation to the path of efficiency and profititability. This took him only two years.
He also refocused the organisation to effectively tackle housing deficit in the state, which again validated his credentials as a resourceful leader and problem solver. His valuable experience garnered from executive-level roles in the private and public sectors has not only distinguished him, but also made him a valuable resource to some notable organisations on whose boards he has served
A statement on his website summarized his expected delivery, noting that “It is unexpected that Babajide’s enterprising career in the private sector, defining roles in public service and selfless contributions to the society would not have attracted international recognitions and accolades at home. But as a man attired in modesty, these awards and laurels are encouragements that keep him on the path of service to God and humanity.
“A devout Christian and family-focused man whose marriage to Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu is blessed with lovely children, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, in addition to his love for public speaking, is a member of numerous prestigious clubs, which include Ikoyi Club 1938, the Island Club, Yoruba Tennis Club and the Clear Essence Health Club.”
In 2020, Sanwo-Olu stood like the rock of Gibraltar between the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic and the health of Lagos residents, and was regarded as one of the outstanding governors in the fight against the scourge.
“We must ultimately defeat this virus if we remain vigilant and do not take anything for granted. Stay safe Lagos, your health is important,” the governor was quoted as saying.
In October of the same year, Sanwo-Olu employed his human relations training to quell the EndSARS crises, which had its epicenter in Lagos.
In May 2023, Sanwo-Olu was reelected governor under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating his closest rival, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) to the second position.
Though his re-election was contested by both Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) and Olajide Adediran of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the tribunal, and up to the Supreme Court, Sanwo-Olu emerged victorious.
With special regards to his litany of achievements, Sanwo-Olu has obtained a variety of awards in his career, both from within the shores of Nigeria and from foreign places. Some of them include:
- Platinum award from the Lagos State Public Service Club.
- 2009 Best in Human Capital Development award from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
- Merit award from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.
- Merit award from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria (CIPMN).
- Merit Award from the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN).
- LSDPC Impactful Leadership and Recognition Award.
- Media Nite-Out Award for Best Governor of the Year (2020).
In addition, he is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Directors (IOD), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), and Fellow of Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).
A lot of people have said that the path to Sanwo-Olu’s success stories and achievements lies in his ability to remain a loyal partyman and an astute politician. These have consistently paved the way for his glorious strides. His achievements in Lagos have become a reference point to many other governors in Nigeria.
In today’s Lagos, development, sanitization, security, technological know-how and community coexistence are at top level owing to the direction Sanwo-Olu created, and rooted in his THEME agenda.
Sanwo-Olu, without an iota of doubt, is doing well. It is on this note, we recognize you sir, as the Boss of the week. Congratulations!
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