By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The board of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has confirmed Godsmart Nigeria Limited as its new single largest shareholder.
It was gathered that the firm acquired 16.7 percent stake in NAHCO’s shares at the stock market in an off-market transaction about two weeks ago.
It was disclosed in a statement by NAHCO that this development has now led to a change in the structure in its board, with the two representatives of the selling shareholders, Mr Femi Olubanwo and Mr Christopher Oshiafi, resigning from the board.
To fill the vacant positions, Godsmart Nigeria Ltd has nominated Engr. Mohammed Gambo Umar and Mr Akinwumi Godson Fanimokun for appointment as Non-Executive Directors of NAHCO.
According to NAHCO, Mr Akinwumi Godson Fanimokun has a distinguished career and wealth of experience, spanning 35 years in effecting and implementing change, driving strategic positioning and demonstrating diverse competencies across systems and subsidiary leadership.
He served with First Bank from 1980-2015 where he headed various units amongst which is the Group head public sector Abuja. He was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer where he pioneered the implementation of new Banking Application FINACLE 7 for the Bank in 2002, its upgrade FINACLE 10 and its supporting infrastructure in 2013.
On the other hand, Engr. Umar holds a Master’s Degree in Finance and Banking from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA (1981-1983), as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas USA (1977-1981). He is also a PhD candidate.
He attended the Executive Program in International Management at Stanford University, California USA, National University of Singapore, Kellogg School of Management, North West University Chicago USA and Wits Business School, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He was also at Lagos Business School Management Development for Senior Executives 2000
Engr. Umar is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN); Member, American Institute of Industrial Engineers (MAIIE); Member National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), mni; Member, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN No.R11.191) and Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants, amongst others.
He held leadership roles as Chairman-Bauchi State Privatization Committee (19861988), Chairman-New Sharada Development (Residents) Association (2000-2002), MonitorGeneral, Senior Executive Course (SEC) 23, NIPSS, Kuru, 2001, amongst others.
He also received many awards amongst which are; National Hero of Democracy Award (2017); NIPSS Director General’s “Outstanding Leadership Qualities” award for Senior Executive Course (2001), Development in Nigeria Merit Award (DINMA) (2003), Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria Merit Award (1999).
Meanwhile, NAHCO disclosed in the statement that on a different note, Mrs Folashade Ode has resigned her appointment as Executive Director of the company with effect from July 13, 2018.
“Her resignation has no relation with the transfer of shares that took place around the same period,” the firm emphasised.
“The board wishes to assure the shareholders that the share transfer and related board changes will not adversely affect the company. The board and management will continue improving on the growth and profitability of the company,” it added.
