Forte Oil Appoints 2 Non-Executive Directors

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The appointment of the duo of Mrs Mario Mandara and Mrs Salamatu Suleiman as as independent non-executive directors of Forte Oil Plc has been announced.

A statement by the company on Monday by the Group Chief Executive Office, Mr Akin Akinfemiwa and Company Secretary, Mr Akinleye Olagbende, explained that the two appointments would enhance the capacity of the Board by ensuring the company continued to fulfil its vision of being the foremost energy solutions provider and be in the forefront of global best corporate governance proactive.

In the letter submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), it was explained that Mrs Mandara has extensive knowledge of public health systems and managing maternal and child health programmes in Nigeria. She was a consultant Obstetrician and gynaecologist.

It was further explained that after her medical training at the University of Jos, Mrs Mandara practiced at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria.

Between 2015 and 2010, Mrs Mandara was said to have served as a senior Country Adviser in Nigeria to the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, before moving over to the Nigeria-based Health Systems Adviser for the Earth Institute at New York’s Columbia University.

Besides, Mrs Mandara is a well-known advocate for girl’s human and reproductive health and rights as well as for the improvement of the status of women and girls in Nigeria.

Also, Mrs Suleiman, a qualified lawyer, served as the Minister of State 11 for Foreign Affairs between August 2010 and May 2011.

She was also appointed Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development between December 2008 and March 2010.

Recently, she served as the Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) between February 2012 and March 2016.

Before now, Mrs Suleiman served as he Secretary to the Commission and Director, Legal Services at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) between 2001 and 2008.

She was also the Company Secretary at Continental Merchant Bank between 1992 and 1996 as well as Principal State Counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Sokoto between 1983 and 1989.