By Uche Amunike
New appointments of the position of Group Managing Director (GMD) and other Executive officers have been announced by the United Bank for Africa Plc, with the GMD being Mr Oliver Alawuba, who will be overseeing all the operations of the UBA bank spread across its 20 African country network globally in the United States of America, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and France.
According to a statement released by the bank, Alawuba Joined the employ of the UBA in 1997 and since then, has held various senior positions, including that of the CEO of UBA Ghana, CEO of UBA Africa and very recently, as Group Deputy Managing Director.
In reaction, the Group Chairman of the bank, Tony Elumelu stated: ‘I am very pleased to announce Oliver Alawuba as the new Group Managing Director of the UBA Group. Oliver has extensive experience in Nigeria and our African network and is well equipped to advance our pan-African and global strategy.
‘I have no doubt that Oliver will build on the legacy of Kennedy Uzoka, who has exemplified transformational leadership by championing a customer-first philosophy; launching our twentieth operation in Africa, UBA Mali; acquiring a wholesale banking licence for UBA UK in the United Kingdom; and opening our fourth global operation, UBA Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.’
The new GMD, Alawuba assured of his full commitment in his new position in UBA Bank, saying: ‘I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this great institution and would like to thank the UBA Group Chairman and the members of the Board of Directors for the confidence they have put in me to deliver the mandate.’
According to the statement released by the UBA Bank, Alawuba assumes his official position, effective August 1, 2022, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Also appointed is Muyiwa Akinyemi, as Deputy Managing Director. He joined the UBA bank as a Senior Banking Officer in UBA’s Energy Bank and has so far, served the UBA Group and her larger Africa network in the last twenty-four years.
Emem Usoro was also appointed as the new Executive Director, North Bank. She joined the Group in 2011 and has since then, served in various senior regional appointments across the country, covering their corporate, retail and public sectors.
Other executive appointments are: ‘Sola Yomi-Ajayi, Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking; Ugochukwu Nwagodoh, Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management; and Alex Alozie, Executive Director and Group Chief Operating Officer, who joined the Group in 2019 and has driven the Group’s digital transformation and operational efficiencies.
The retirement of some Executive Directors who have completed their tenure was also announced by the Board. According to the board, they will continue to serve the broader Group until a holding company structure has given regulatory approval.
The retirement of a Non-Executive Director, Joe C. Keshi, OON was also announced. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board. His retirement takes effect, August 1,2022 after having completed his twelve years tenure.
The Group Chairman, Elumelu, congratulated all the retirees on the completion of their terms and their outstanding records.
