Boss Of The Week

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe: Striding Gingerly to Greater Achievements

Published

8 months ago

May 25, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The last couple of days had been designed by detractors to be a trying period for Fidelity Bank, and its indefatigable Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, but hard work cannot be shortchanged as it ended up becoming a week of triumph for the a-list top lender commercial bank, and its top grade boss.

Onyeali-Ikpe has proved herself so remarkable in the triumphant journey of the Fidelity Bank group that she was rewarded with an extension of her employment contract in 2024. No doubt, Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe, reputed as a solid amazon in the finance sector, and a go-getter, has seen and conquered the banking arena, and is honoured among veterans as a solid foundation in Nigeria’s money business.

It would be recalled that recently, she led the bank to 238% oversubscription of the bank shares; a feat that has been described as unprecedented.

“We are delighted to announce the successful completion of the first phase of our capital raising initiatives through a Public Offer and Rights Issue. The positive result recorded in our Combined Offer is a testament to the strength of the Fidelity Bank franchise in the capital market. It is both gratifying and humbling to note this level of investor confidence in our Bank. We extend sincere gratitude to our investors for their continued confidence in the Bank, as evidenced by the 237.92% and 137.73% oversubscription of our Public Offer and Rights Issue respectively. As we go into the next phase of our capital raising drive, we reaffirm our commitment to providing cutting-edge financial solutions to our customers and sustainable returns to our stakeholders,” Onyeali-Ikpe noted.

These triumps have triggered negative reactions from a cross section of most uninformed players in the industry to begin a campaign of calumny. During the week, an online news platform claimed that Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe violated one of the listing rules of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited with the acquisition of fresh 18 million equities of the company. This is while the financial amazon was striking a master stroke to lift Fidelity Bank to maximum level of achievement.

Responding, through a notice to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), which literally exonerated the bank, the lender described the report as “patently false, misleading and malicious,” clarifying that Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe did not take “personal advantage of material price sensitive information to engage in insider trading” as being alleged.

In a show of transparency and accountability, Onyeali-Ikpe’s Fidelity requested an independent review of the transaction by the NGX. From its findings, the stock exchange cleared the company and Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe of any wrongdoing.

In a letter dated May 22, 2025, the regulator dismissed allegations of insider trading and the misuse of bank funds for the transaction, saying, “Following the filing of the bank’s 2025 Q1 UFS on April 30, 2025, the directors and other insiders of the bank became eligible to trade on the securities of the bank after 24 hours.

“Therefore, the share purchase transaction referenced by Sahara Reporters which occurred on May 19, 2025, was transacted during an open trading window and NGX RegCo is not aware of any other price sensitive information that the Bank is required to disclose which should hinder trades on the securities of the bank by insiders.”

Additionally, the Divisional Head of Brand and Communications for Fidelity Bank, Mr Meksley Nwagboh, in a statement, also disclosed that, “As a publicly quoted company regulated by the NGX and subject to the Listing Rules of the NGX and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, we unequivocally confirm that neither the Bank nor its MD/CEO has ever engaged in insider trading.”

He also stressed that Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe personally funded the share purchase and did not utilize bank funds or take a loan for the share purchase, reaffirming that the deal was conducted in strict adherence to the Listing Rules and insider trading regulations governing publicly traded companies.

While the naysayers were plotting her downfall, Onyeali-Ikpe was busy elevating Fidelity Bank, and giving investors reason to sleep with both eyes closed.

Born on July 28, 1964, Nneka, as beloved and close family members, friends and colleagues fondly call her, is a force to reckon with, and has in a space of 32 years and counting, of career banking, brought to bear all the stops that make for great banking and financial experience, climbing to the topmost echelon of investment banking and related areas.

Fidelity Bank Plc knows this, and announced its decision after a thorough Board of Directors’ meeting to extend the employment contract of the ebullient achiever from 2024 to 2026. It won’t come as a shock if by 2026 when the tenure expires, the board decides to further extend the tenure.

The Board had noted, and without equivocation, that it is confident that the Bank’s performance will continue its upward trajectory under Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe’s leadership, and looks forward to working closely with her and the Executive Management Team on execution of various strategic initiatives including international expansion. They were not wrong.

The banking guru, who was born in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, also lived in Owerri, Imo State, where she studied at the Federal Government Girls’ College. After her successful stint at FGC, she was admitted into the premier school, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she obtained a degree in Law before attending the prestigious King’s College, London, for a Masters Degree also in Law.

Before attaining the enviable GMD with Fidelity Bank, Onyeali-Ikpe had out of dint of hardwork, paid her dues from lesser positions.

She began her career in 1990, when she was employed as a legal officer for the now-defunct African Continental Bank. She later worked as a treasury officer for the First African Trust Bank, and thereafter joined Zenith Bank, and subsequently the Standard Chartered Bank. Her experience in the course of her sojourn are combined to make her a toast of the banking industry today.

Having cut her teeth, and garnered a lot of experience and goodwill, she was in 2011, absorbed by Enterprise Bank as an Executive director of the bank’s operations in Lagos and other locations in the South-Western region in Nigeria. She wasted no time in turning around the fortunes of the bank.

In January, 2015, Onyeali-Ikpe joined Fidelity Bank as an Executive Director, and rose through the ranks until she was announced the Managing Director in December, 2020. Following her appointment, Nneka became the first female MD/CEO in the history of the bank.

Presently, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, a foremost financial institution with a client base of over about nine million customers.

Apart from her Law degrees, from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Kings College, Onyeali-Ikpe has also attended executive training programs at Harvard Business School, The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania, INSEAD School of Business, Chicago Booth School of Business, London Business School and IMD amongst others.

It is worthy of note that she recently completed a Diploma programme in Organizational Leadership at Said Business School, Oxford University, UK and received an honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). She is also the recipient of the national award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) which was awarded to her by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2023.

With close to 34 years of rewarding banking experience through Enterprise Bank, Citizens International Bank, Zenith Bank and Standard Chartered Bank among others, the woman is surely a force to reckon with.

A woman of many parts, Onyeali-Ikpe has also been involved in the structuring of complex transactions in Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, Aviation, Real Estate and Export among many others.

She is, without an iota of doubt, widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading female CEOs with a reputation for authentic leadership and proven people skills in identifying talents, opportunities and executing complex business deals. She has extensive business development experience with proficiency in retail, corporate and commercial banking and treasury management among others.

LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN FIDELITY BANK

Under Nneka’s watch, the Bank grew its PBT from N25.22bn in FY 2021 to N122bn in FY 2023. Nneka has now set her horizon on leveraging the opportunities in select high growth international markets where the Bank has a competitive advantage. She most recently guided the bank to obtain the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria to expand its operations to the United Kingdom with the acquisition of the former Union Bank UK, now Fidelity Bank UK Limited.

Passionate about innovation and embracing technology, Nneka has pioneered several innovative and pacesetting products such as the PayGate Plus, an online platform that enables businesses make and receive payments.

Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe has also radically repositioned the bank as the go-to financial institution for Small and Medium Enterprises. Understanding the crucial role of small businesses in the sustenance of economic growth and development, she led the bank to create the Fidelity International Trade & Creative Connect (FITCC) which is aimed at providing a global platform for exporters, regulators, subject matter experts and foreign markets to connect.

The FITCC 2022 edition was attended by representatives of both the UK & the Nigerian Governments, Nigerian exporters, investors, regulators from the United Kingdom and Nigeria, the business community and other practitioners. The pipeline deals from the event was in excess of $200m. Over 2,000 people registered to attend the event and daily foot-fall was about 1,000.

The second edition of FITCC, which was hosted in Houston, Texas, United States of America in October 2023, was even bigger with projected pipeline deals of over $250m and more than 160 businesses in participation. Tagged, FITCC Houston, the success of the event is signposted by the designation of 25 October 2023 as the “Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect Day” by Mr. Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston.

HER CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY EFFORTS

In her bid to give back to the communities the Bank serves and as part of her efforts to combat the twin issues of poverty and hunger, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe recently launched a National Corporate Social Responsibility initiative tagged The Fidelity Food Bank which provides free food bags to people across Nigeria monthly.

In recognition of her leadership and outstanding performance, she received commendation from AMCON as a member of the Management Team that restructured and turned around the fortunes of the erstwhile Enterprise Bank. She also received several board commendations from the Managing Directors of Standard Chartered Bank and Citizens International Bank for outstanding performance at various times.

FIDELITY AWARDS UNDER ONYEALI-IKPE’S WATCH

With Onyeali-Ikpe as the Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank has been the recipient of several awards within and outside Nigeria some of which are:

1. Best Commercial Banking Brand in Nigeria by the Global Brands Magazine Awards

2. Best Private Bank in Nigeria by The Financial Times in association with The Banker Magazine

3. Trade Ambassador Award by the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC)

4. Global Finance’s World’s Best Private Banks 2023 awards for Best Private Bank in Nigeria

5. The Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 in the 2023 Global Banking & Finance Awards

6. Export Finance Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay and Other Financial Institutions’ (BAFI) Awards 2023.

7. The “Fastest Growing Bank” and “MSME & Entrepreneurship Financing Bank of the Year” at the 2021 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

The Awards are still counting.

PERSONAL RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS

On her own part, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe has been recognized by numerous local and international bodies for her sterling achievements. These include:

1. The national award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2023.

2. The Banker of the Year 2022 at the 14th Leadership Annual Conference and Awards and

3. The Best Banking CEO Nigeria 2023 in the 2023 Global Banking & Finance Awards.

4. 2023 Top 25 CEOs in Nigeria at the BusinessDay Awards

5. The Banker of the Year 2022 at the Champion Newspapers’ Awards of the Year 2022.

Considering her versatility, industry knowledge and vast network, she also serves on the following Committees and organizations:

1. Chairperson, Financial Literacy and Public Enlightenment Sub-Committee of the CBN Bankers Committee.
2. Chairperson, Funds and Grants Committee of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria
3. Member, Audit Committee of FMDQ Group PLC
4. Member of the Board, Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF)
5. Member of the Board, Unified Payment Services Limited

PERSONAL LIFE

Onyeali-Ikpe is married to Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, PhD, a visionary leader with strong business acumen and respected for his demonstrated knowledge in Marketing, Branding and Consumer Consulting and Business acceleration.

She is a celebrated wife and mother, who has combined home duties with professional endeavours without allowing any to suffer.

Boss Of The Week

Emeka Anyaoku: When a Global Statesman Turns 93

Published

1 week ago

January 25, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

With each passing day, week, and year, global diplomatic icon, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, continues to grow in bounds, and wow the world with his touch of class and excellence. At a glorious 93 years, the stateman of international repute is not slowing down anytime soon if his current zeal, carriage and abundant reservoir of wealth of experience is anything to go by.

According to a classmate and contemporary of the revered nonagerian, Mr. S. I. Metu, “from all we now know of Mr. Anyaoku, it is obvious that he was destined to be a diplomat, because he had all the makings – intelligence, friendliness, the ability to get things without offending anybody.

It is worth knowing that among the world’s very and highly respected diplomats is Nigeria’s diploma extraordinaire, Chief Anyaoku. His larger than life figure is further buttressed as he slides three more years into the nonagerian cadre. The world therefore, raises a toast to an accomplished and dedicated international figure as he celebrates 93 years of continuous impact in world diplomacy, politics and humanitarian endeavours.

Chief Anyaoku, before, during and after his glorious days with the Commonwealth of Nations as its Executive Secretary, has remained in the forefront of policy makers, image changers and global builders, and he is a few of these calibre of men, who do not have any kind of scandal trailing them. He qualifies as an enigma, and served as the third Commonwealth Secretary-General.

With his signature red cap, a white collar-like attire round his neck, supporting every apparel he wears, Anyaoku is very visible in every gathering and occasion.

A multiple awards and honours winner, including the prestigious GCON, GCVO, CFR, CON, Anyaoku was born Eleazar Chukwuemeka Anyaoku, of Igbo parents and heritage, Emmanuel and Cecilia Anyaoku, on January 18, 1933, in Obosi, in the present day Anambra State. He was educated at Merchants of Light School, Oba, and attended the University College of Ibadan, then a college of the University of London, from where he obtained an honours degree in Classics as a College Scholar. Aside from his international career, Anyaoku finds ample time to fulfill the duties of his office as Ichie Adazie of Obosi, traditional Ndichie chieftainship. He is the first of his mother’s children, and had five other siblings.

At the age of seven, the young Emeka was sent to live with his father’s only brother, Egwuenu Anyaoku, at Umuahia to start schooling in a very rural school. At 10, in 1943, he was sent to stay with his father’s cousin, Nathaniel Enwezor who was Headmaster at CMS Central School at Agbor.At Merchants of Light School (MOLS), Oba, where he had his secondary education, he learnt the importance of hard work, good character and good inter-personal relations. Records have it that he was outstanding, smart and brilliant. He also showed particular signs of leadership qualities during his young age.

Anyaoku is known to have organised the first African Commonwealth Heads of Government Roundtable in early 1997, to promote democracy and good governance on the continent. As a typical Igbo man, he still honours his traditional duties, serving as a chief in the midst of his international commitments. Anyaoku continues to fulfil the duties of his office as Ichie Adazie of Obosi, a traditional Ndichie chieftaincy title.

Wikipedia further captured his trajectory as follows:

After his secondary education, Anyaoku in 1952 proceeded to teach at Emmanuel College, Owerri in the then Eastern Region, he was there until mid-1954 lecturing in mathematics, Latin and English. He was reputedly an assiduous young teacher, meticulous in preparing his lesson notes. He gave back to his students the best of what he had learned at MOLS while injecting humor into his teachings.

One of his teachers at MOLS had kindled in him an interest in the Classics. His Latin teacher had inspired in him a love for the languages, laws and culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and the classical roots of the English language. Anyaoku then decided to go and study Classics at the new University College of Ibadan, the premier higher institution of its kind in the country, which had been instituted in 1948 as an overseas college of the University of London.

During the mid-1950s when Anyaoku was an undergraduate at the University College, Ibadan, the Nigerian nation was embroiled in debates, discussions and demonstrations on the political future of the country. There were controversies on when Nigeria should gain independence from Britain and with what political structure it should seek independence whether as a unitary or federal state. The city of Ibadan was one of the main epicenters of these debates. And the University College, which had brought together brilliant students, lecturers and politicians from diverse parts of the country, became a centre of what was then described as national radicalism.

Catriona Laing, Chief Emeka Anyaoku & Laure Beaufils

Anyaoku was in the thick of this as a student union leader. He along with like-minds in the union leadership campaigned in favour of unitary state, against federalism. They sent petitions and delegations to the three foremost political leaders in the country then, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in the Eastern region of the country, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Western, and Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello in the Northern region.

Anyaoku in 1959 obtained a London University Honours Degree in classics as a college scholar and joined the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) in Lagos. The corporation sent him as an Executive Trainee to the CDC headquarters in London from where he went on a course at the Royal Institute for Public Administration in London. On 1 October 1960, Nigeria was granted independence by Britain. And Anyaoku was posted back to the CDC West Africa regional office in Lagos at the end of December 1960.

In December 1961, Anyaoku then a CDC Executive Officer came in contact with a twenty year old Yoruba lady, Princess Ebunola Olubunmi Solanke, at a bachelor’s eve party which he and his flatmate hosted for a friend of theirs in Lagos. The princess, familiarly known by the diminutive “Bunmi”, was educated in England at a Christian girls boarding school, St. Mary’s School at Hastings. She thereafter attended Pitman College, London. Emeka and Bunmi were married at the Anglican Cathedral Church in Lagos on 10 November 1962.

In 1959, Emeka Anyaoku joined the Commonwealth Development Corporation. In early 1962, Anyaoku came in contact with the then Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Belewa. He had accompanied his visiting boss, Lord Howick, Chairman of the Commonwealth Development Corporation, to a meeting with the Prime Minister on the activities of the corporation in Nigeria and the West African region. The Prime Minister, impressed by Anyaoku’s answers to some of his questions on the projects supported by the CDC in West Africa, took an interest in Anyaoku’s future and persuaded him to consider joining the Nigerian Foreign Service. After a grueling interview by the Federal Civil Service Commission, he was offered an appointment in the Foreign Service in April 1962. Within a month of his entry, he was appointed Personal Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for External Affairs. There he was closely involved in the process that led to the establishment of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) in May 1963. Following Nigeria’s independence, he joined Nigeria’s diplomatic service, and in 1963 was posted to its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.In 1966, he joined the Commonwealth Secretariat as Assistant Director of International Affairs. In 1968-69 there was a campaign by the Nigerian military government for the recall of Anyaoku; which said he was not a suitable Nigerian nominee, and they were anxious about his loyalty “to the country of his birth”. But “Emeka had resigned from the Nigerian Foreign Service and Arnold had no difficulty in turning aside the demand”.In 1977, the Commonwealth Heads of Government elected him as Deputy Secretary-General. In 1983, Nigeria’s civilian government appointed Anyaoku to become Nigeria’s Foreign Minister. After the overthrow of the government by the military later that year, he returned to his position as Deputy Secretary-General with the support of the new government in Nigeria and the endorsement of all Commonwealth governments.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Kuala Lumpur on 24 October 1989, Anyaoku was elected the third Commonwealth Secretary-General. He was re-elected at the 1993 CHOGM in Limassol for a second five-year term, beginning on 1 April 1995.

Recall that in 1998, the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, in recognition of Chief Emeka Anyaoku’s antecedents concerning South Africa, and the manner in which he had championed the cause of the progressive movements around the world, afforded him the rare honour of addressing a joint sitting of the South African National Assembly. Also, former President Nelson Mandela wrote the foreword to Chief Chukwuemeka Anyaoku’s book, Eye of Fire.

Chief Emeka Anyaoku has lived, and continue to up to expectations, and merit the positive tags that trail him the world over.

Yes, when a global of Anyaoku’s magnitude turns 93, the international community rumbles in absolute cheers.

We wish the seasoned diplomat a glorious 93rd birthday, and many more years to follow, looking magnificently young in health and wealth.

Congratulations sir!

Boss Of The Week

Meet Fidelity Bank’s New Board Chair, Amaka Onwughalu

Published

4 weeks ago

January 6, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

For her dexterity, hard work, commitment, achievement and integrity, excellent banker and entrepreneur, Mrs Amaka Onwughalu, has the nod of the Fidelity Bank’s family to take up the chairmanship position of its board as Mustafa Chike-Obi completes his tenure.

In a statement announcing her appointment, the Bank posted on its website as follows:

Tier one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the completion of the tenure of Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi as Chairman of its Board of Directors effective December 31, 2025, and the appointment of Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu as the new Chairman of the Board, effective January 1, 2026.

The board transitions are in alignment with the Bank’s policy and have been communicated to the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Exchange Group, and other stakeholders.

Under Mr. Chike-Obi’s leadership, Fidelity Bank repaid its Eurobond, completed the first tranche of its public offer and rights issue that were oversubscribed by 237 percent and 137.73 percent respectively, expanded internationally to the United Kingdom, and received improved ratings from various agencies amongst a long list of achievements. His tenure also saw the Bank strengthen its capital position, record steady growth in customer deposits and total assets, deepen its digital banking capabilities, and enhance its corporate and investment banking proposition. The bank equally made notable progress in governance, risk management, and operational efficiency, all of which contributed to strengthened market confidence and the Bank’s sustained upward performance trajectory.

Reflecting on his tenure, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi said, “It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of Fidelity Bank. The dedication of our Board, management, and staff has enabled us to reach significant milestones. I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive and deliver value to all stakeholders.”

Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu’s appointment marks a new chapter for Fidelity Bank. She joined the Board in December 2020 and has chaired key committees. With over 30 years of banking experience, including executive roles at Mainstreet Bank Limited and Skye Bank Plc. She holds degrees in Economics, Corporate Governance, and Business Administration, and has attended executive programmes at global institutions. Mrs. Onwughalu is a Fellow of several professional bodies and has received awards for accountability and financial management.

“I am honoured to lead the Board of Fidelity Bank at this exciting time. Our recent achievements have set a strong foundation for continued growth. I look forward to working with my colleagues to drive our strategy and deliver sustainable value,” commented Mrs. Onwughalu.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Before landing the chairmanship job at Fidelity Bank Board, Amaka has been the Managing Director of Legal at Mainstreet Bank, and Deputy Managing Director at Skye Bank.

Onwughalu joined Fidelity Bank Plc in 2020, and has served as a Director at of Bank Plc.

The accomplished banker holder of the prestigious of Paul Harris Fellowship of the Rotary Club, and recipient of various prestigious awards including the National Merit Award for Accountability and Transparency, the Award of Excellence and Distinction for Financial Management and the Vocational Service Award from the Rotary Club, Enugu.

Well read, Amaka Onwughalu is a Master Degree holder of Science in Corporate Governance from Leeds Metropolitan University and a Master of Business Administration from University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Onwughalu boasts of a cumulative three decades experience in the banking, and has held very senior and managerial positions before climaxing on the top level of chairmanship of Fidelity Bank.

Boss Of The Week

Celebrating a Veteran Journalist, Ibrahim Babatunde Jose at 76

Published

1 month ago

December 28, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

If professionalism were a person, we would call him Ibrahim Babatunde Jose. If humility were a person, we would call him Ibrahim Babatunde Jose. If clarity and eye-to-details were a person, we would call him Ibrahim Babatunde Jose.

Here is a man, who has combined nature, God’s gift and outright hardwork to reproduce another form of humanity rooted in love, kindness and care for fellow man. And on Christmas, this epitome of goodness clocked 76; a landmark age that still permits him to be himself. He is a typical chip of the old block.

Born as the eldest son of late Alhaji Babatunde Jose OFR, famously and synonymously connected to the early days of the prestigious Daily Times Newspaper, on December 25, 1949, Mr Jose is a well read professional, academic and community leader.

Having obtained B.Sc degree in Political Science from the University of Ibadan in 1973, Mr. Jose shortly proceeded to the Graduate School, University of Manchester for a follow up Masters degree in Political Science, earning an M.A. (Econ) in 1974.

With the insatiable thirst to acquire more academic laurels, in the same 1974, Jose left for the Columbia University, New York, United States for a Fellowship for Minority Journalists.

He later enrolled for a PhD programme at the Center for West African Studies, University of Birmingham, and was done by the end of 1975, when he returned to Nigeria, with a solid decision to serve his fatherland beginning with the newly introduced National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. The scheme was two years at the time. He was posted to Port Harcourt, Rivers State for the compulsory one year service. His period of internship as a corper, working as a staff writer with the Nigerian Tide, existed between January 1976 and 1977.

At the end of the service year, Jose returned to Lagos to pick up his first career employment with the Daily Times as a Staff Writer on Times International.

Following his sweatless delivery of deadline, flawless write up, focus and commitment to team work, Jose was not only promoted to a rank of a Feature Editor, but elevated to the membership of the Editorial Board of the Daily Times.

With consistency and delivery signposting all his assignments, he got more promotions, first to Investigation Editor status, and later as Editor Times International.

In the line of duty, Jose had his hands in other pies, having had a stint as a part time lecturer in Government at the Faculty of Social Science of the University of Lagos, before joining the family printing press, Irede Printers in 1979, becoming a printer and publisher.

Jose held the printing profession close to heart, retiring from the press in 1995, and taking up a publisher’s job with the publication of the now rested Business journal: Lagos Business Review.

Married and blessed with beautiful children, Jose is today fully a retired writer and author of two quasi religious books: Reflections on Juma’at Greetings 1 and 2, and a compendium of weekly Friday Sermons; a dotting grandfather and adoring community leader.

From all of us at The Boss Newspaper, where Jose has been a consistent contributor of the Friday Sermon series for about 10 years, congratulations on your 76th birthday sir, and for being our Boss of the Week!