Boss Of The Week

HRH Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi Bags PHD Honours in London

Published

5 months ago

September 8, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The city of London on Thursday, the 4th of September, 2025, recorded a wholesome activity, as the day marked a historic milestone for His Highness Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, CON, Sarkin Kano, as he was conferred with a Doctorate Degree (PhD) from the prestigious University of London. The graduation ceremony was a moment of pride and joy, showcasing his lifelong pursuit of knowledge, leadership, and reform.

The event, which experienced the pomp and finesse of royalty, saw the Emir standing amidst academic supremacy, savoring the attention that comes with achievements and invincibility.

After the ceremonies that heralded the prestigious award, dignitaries and well-wishers later in the evening gathered at The Lanesborough Hotel in London for a memorable dinner celebration in his honour. Among the attendees were the Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf; the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR; the Senior Pastor of Trinity House Church, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; the Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside; and many other distinguished guests.

Reflecting on his remarkable journey, His Highness shared these powerful words: “At some point in life, life gave me lemons, and I made lemonade.”

It was truly an unforgettable day from the halls of the University of London to an evening of honour at The Lanesborough, celebrating an exceptional leader known for his scholarship, service, and resilience.

KHALIFA MUHAMMAD SANUSI’S BRIEF CITATION

Born July 31, 1961 to Muhammad Aminu Sanusi and Saudatu Anduwa Hussain, Sanusi descends from a lineage marked by its combination of royal blood and public service, in the spiritual as well as the temporal domain. Numerous imams and judges are to be found among his forebears. Sanusi’s father, who held the princely title of Chiroma of Kano, was a pioneer career diplomat of Nigeria.

He was charged with setting of Nigerian intelligent services by the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in 1961.He served as Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada. He also served as Nigerian ambassador to
Belgium. In 1972 he became Nigerian first Ambassador to the People Republic of China. He retired in 1979 as Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of External Affairs.

Sanusi was the cherished grandson of Emir Muhammad Sanusi I (r. 1954-1963), known for his strength of character and public spiritedness. Credited with modernizing Kano’s economy through industrial
development, irrigation projects, and the opening of an international airport, Muhammad Sanusi I also reinvigorated the emir’s moral and spiritual role by exercising the right to lead Friday prayers and serve as
shari’a judge. Through adopting his grandfather’s official title and other symbolic actions, Muhammad Sanusi II has explicitly signalled the continuity between his and his grandfather’s reigns.

After childhood Qur’anic studies and elementary school, Sanusi entered King’s College Lagos, then earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in economics at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria — where he also taught economics. In 1985, he launched a distinguished banking career at ICON Ltd. Merchant Bankers, a subsidiary of Morgan Guaranty Trust and Baring Brothers. Later, he joined United Bank for Africa, running its credit and risk management division and then rising to the position of general manager. In 2005, he moved to First Bank, where he was appointed group managing director in 2009. Alongside this work in the financial industry, Sanusi never ceased pursuing his scholarship in Islamic history, thought, and law. After years of private study under the tutorial of a number of learned ulama’, he left banking to enrol in the Africa International University in Khartoum, Sudan, where he earned a degree in Islamic studies and fiqh in 1997. In June 2009, Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’adua appointed Sanusi governor of the central bank. It was a trying moment to take up such a post: the world was reeling in the throes of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Nigerian banks had hardly escaped the impact: corroded by corruption, mismanagement, and reckless and fraudulent lending practices, twenty-four banks were on the brink of collapse. Sanusi pursued an approach unrivalled anywhere in the world. On the one hand, he mobilized some NGN 400b ($2.1b.) to bail out key establishments. But simultaneously, he insisted on repercussions for those responsible. Several managing directors were sacked as part of the deal, and some sixteen faced criminal charges. One received a jail term. In no other country were the individuals whose decisions contributed to the 2008 financial crisis held personally responsible on such a scale. In recognition, The Banker Magazine named Sanusi the World’s Best Central Bank Governor of the Year for 2011.

Acknowledging that few names achieve consensus on any judging panel, the magazine remarked on the exception: “When it came to finding the best global central bank governor of the year, Mr. Sanusi was chosen unanimously.” The magazine lauded his “radical anti-corruption campaign,” which “salvaged a crumbling financial sector,” and “reforms that have put Africa’s most promising market back on the map for
investors.” Emir Sanusi pioneered the introduction of Islamic banking into the Nigerian banking sector when he was Governor of the Central Bank, and he received the Global Islamic Finance Leadership Award (GIFA) and became the GIFA Laureate of 2015. He had earlier been given the Global Islamic Finance Excellence Award in 2013.

In late 2013, Sanusi began drawing attention to a grievous shortfall in Nigerian oil revenues. According to his accounts, some $20b, in the proceeds of sales had failed to reach the national budget over an eighteenmonth period. He submitted detailed findings to the Nigerian senate on February 3, 2014, and summoned the managing directors of several banks, warning they would be required to open their books so his examiners could probe suspected shell company activities and other irregularities believed to be linked to the missing billions. On February 20, in the midst of the investigation, President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Sanusi. In reaction, the Nigerian currency (naira) fell to its lowest level since 1999, and bond trading had to be halted. On June 6, 2014, Kano Emir Ado Bayero, Sanusi’s great uncle, passed away, after a half-century reign. Two days later, four kingmakers and Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso announced that Lamido Sanusi was their choice to succeed him. In keeping with his history of outspoken public discourse, both as a government official and when participating in Islamic legal debates, Sanusi has used his Friday sermons as a platform to offer observations on the crucial issues of the day — not least the burgeoning Boko Haram insurgency.

Many of his comments are aimed at galvanizing his congregation to transcend the fear of death and take more responsibility for their own destinies. Emir Sanusi has remained engaged in the field of Finance and Development, believing strongly that no solution to the social and security challenges faced by Nigeria is possible without development. As Chairman of Black Rhino Group, a portfolio company of Blackstone, he has been driving development of key power and energy infrastructure projects across the African continent. One of the projects in the company’s pipeline is a 120 MW solar plant to be set up in Kano to kick start the re-industrialisation process. This is to be followed by two coal fired power plants of 500 MW each. These plants are being built by a JV of Black Rhino and the Dangote Group. The Emir is also chairman of an impact capital fund named Babban Gona (i.e Big Farm). As the name implies this firm is dedicated to agricultural development and the support of small scale rural farmers.

Already operating in 14 Local Government areas of Kano and Kaduna States, Babban Gona organizes farmers into cooperatives, provides them with research data, technical analysis, high yield variety of seeds, inputs, mechanised harvesting and direct links to large buyers for their product. The farmers in this program are having yields that are multiple times the average for their products and Emir Sanusi hopes to reach one million farmers within five years with this program. He continues to bring his wealth of experience and contacts to bear on key development projects like public
health, girl-child education advocacy and reforms of Muslim family law as well as the systems of zakat and auqaf (endowments).

His Highness was awarded various doctorate degrees by among others the following Universities: –

– University of Nsukka
– Bayero University Kano
– University of Jos
– University of Benin
– University of Maiduguri
– Benue State University
– University of Abuja
– Oduduwa University, Ile – Ife
– Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil

In the course of his carrier as banker, His Highness received various awards including: –

– Central Bank of Nigeria Governor of the year for Sub- Saharan Africa by the Emerging Market Magazine for the years 2010, 2011 and 2013
– Central Bank Governor of Africa 2013 by the African Banker Magazine
– African Central Bank Governor of the year 2011 by Banker Magazine
– Global Central Bank Governor of the year 2011by Financial Times of London
– His Highness was also made Man of the Year by various magazines and newspapers 2010, 2011 and 2013
– His Highness was also awarded the National honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)

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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!