Jobs/Appointments
APC Cautions ADC, GNI Against Mocking Ogun Workers
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its governorship candidate in the state, Mr Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI), not to trick workers of Ogun State by their emergency solicitous and patronizing promises vaingloriously aimed at winning votes.
In a statement issued on Friday evening in Abeokuta by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, the ruling party in the state noted that the ADC candidate played a prominent role in the previous administration in Ogun State, which was totally unfriendly to workers.
Mr Oladunjoye stressed in the statement that GNI was deeply involved with the government that owed workers salaries and unpaid deductions, sacked lecturers, dislocated families, and put the state in unprecedented debt trap that Ogun is yet to recover from.
Speaking on the reported promise by the ADC candidate that he will recall workers sacked by Governor Ibikunle Amosun if elected, the APC mouthpiece said, “Our advice is that the ADC and its candidate should not mock the plight of Ogun workers as they, the workers, know by pedigree and association, who the genuine friends of Ogun workers are, and the candidate that could place premium on their welfare in government.
“The question to ask ADC is, where was Mr Isiaka all this while in the concerted struggle to get these workers recalled, including the interventions of prominent traditional rulers like Awujale of Ijebu land? Why did it take his campaign visit to NLC for him to make this emergency promise?”
“It is on record that the unjust sacking of the affected workers was a personal draconian decision of Governor Amosun, who is now promoting a rookie as governorship candidate in the Allied People’s Movement.
“Our party, All Progressives Congress (APC), opposed the sacking of the workers and we made it known on Monday, December 17, 2018 on Sweet 107.1 FM live Programme in Abeokuta, that the next APC Government of Prince Dapo Abiodun would not only reinstate the sacked workers, but will also call back from retirement those that were untimely retired by Governor Amosun.
“Prince Dapo Abiodun also said he will obey the court order directing the reinstatement of the sacked Staff of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Omu Ijebu. Is GNI just waking up?
“It is very important to remind the good people of Ogun State that GNI was part of the eight years rule of the former governor, Otunba Gbega Daniel (OGD).
“He was a very important part of the inner caucus of the government at that time, which made him earn a very sensitive position as the head of the Gateway Holdings and was later presented by OGD as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant and later People’s Party of Nigeria’s (PPN’s) governorship candidate in 2011,” Mr Oladunjoye said in the statement.
“The questions to ask ADC and its candidates are many. We will just ask a few: What was his reaction when the OGD government could not pay retired civil servants their pensions and gratuities between 2008 and 2011 totaling over N7.5 billion? What was your role or reaction when over 1,000 workers of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, were sacked in one fell swoop in one day? What was your reaction when over 50 doctors resigned from OOUTH between 2007 and 2011 and others that were left went on strike for nine months that paralyzed health service delivery?
“What was your reaction when billions of naira were owed in salary arrears to all higher institutions in Ogun State by an administration in which you were one of the chief economic strategists? What did you do to stop the government from piling up debt, the highest in the annals of Ogun State, and from which the state is yet to recover?
“Did you ever lift a finger for the workers of TASCE, Omu-Ijebu, who were pauperized, with many losing their lives, by the administration you served? What did you do when the government you were part of made Ogun State to be blacklisted by UBEC via SUBEB for not paying the UBEC counterpart funds from 2008 to 2011, resulting in serious decay in the infrastructures of the primary and JSS schools all over Ogun State?” he asked.
APC spokesman further said that “it will be interesting for GNI to tell us his reaction when the government in which he fully served as economic strategist increased the tertiary school fees by over 300 percent and forced student union leaders to sign a bond acceding to 20 percent automatic yearly increment in school fees? The same government that failed to carry out promotion for teachers and civil servants between year 2008 and 2011.
“The ADC candidate, as the Chairman of Gateway Holdings under the immediate past administration, supervised (in a process devoid of transparency) the controversial auctioning of prized assets of Ogun State to friends and proxies of the then government, which led to the sack of thousand of workers and caused untimely deaths and dislocated families with untold hardship.
“Ogun workers are not daft. They are not ‘brainless’ like Amosun described them. They are actually very discerning and are not fooled by emergency friends and activists.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In line with the 12-year tenure prescribed for non-executive directors of banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Tony Elumelu will on August 21, 2026, cease to be chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.
The board of the financial institution at its meeting on July 6, 2026, has elected Mr Emmanuel Nnorom as the new chairman.
In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the lender said Mr Elumelu’s successor, a non-executive director of the company, will assume the new role on August 21, 2026.
Mr Nnorom is a chartered accountant with over 40 years of experience in banking, finance and audit. He brings to the role extensive leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge of UBA.
“I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and deeply conscious of the legacy I inherit.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, management and our staff across all our markets to sustain UBA’s momentum and continue delivering long-term value to our shareholders, customers and stakeholders,” Mr Nnorom stated.
Commenting on his retirement, Mr Elumelu said, “Serving United Bank for Africa has been one of the great privileges of my career.
“UBA has a unique competitive position, across Africa and globally, and I leave the Board with great confidence in UBA’s future.
“Emmanuel Nnorom is a leader of integrity, experience and sound judgement, and I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
The board thanked him for his visionary leadership and exceptional contribution to the growth, transformation and institutional strength of the UBA Group.
By Adedapo Adesanya
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mr Courage Obadagbonyi as Managing Director, effective July 1, 2026, succeeding Mr Jeethu Jose and becoming the first Nigerian to hold the post.
The appointment reflects the organisation’s continued focus on developing strong leadership from within its global talent pool while ensuring sustained growth and operational excellence.
A seasoned executive with more than two decades of international experience, Mr Obadagbonyi has held leadership roles across finance, operations and general management at leading global organisations, including APM Terminals, General Electric and Lafarge.
Prior to this appointment, he served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the APM Terminals Nigeria cluster, with responsibility for financial strategy across Nigeria and San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire.
He also served in an acting capacity as Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa between 2025 and March 2026, further strengthening his operational leadership experience.
With experience spanning sectors such as oil and gas, power generation, logistics and healthcare, Mr Obadagbonyi brings deep expertise in financial management, risk optimisation and business performance.
Speaking on his appointment, he said, “I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place at WACT. The terminal plays a critical role in connecting businesses in Eastern Nigeria to global markets, and we will continue to focus on safe, reliable and efficient operations.”
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr Frederik Klinke, noted that the appointment reflects the company’s commitment to leadership development and long-term growth.
“Across APM Terminals globally, we see strong collaboration and talent development across our teams. This appointment reflects the depth of experience within our organisation and our continued focus on building capabilities that support sustainable growth. Nigerians have continued to distinguish themselves through exceptional performance and leadership. Colleagues from our Apapa and Onne terminals have contributed their expertise internationally while also bringing back valuable best practices to strengthen operations in Nigeria.”
He added that Mr Obadagbonyi’s experience would support the next phase of operational excellence and value delivery at WACT.
The outgoing MD, Mr Jose, said, “It has been a privilege to lead WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria during a period of meaningful progress. The team has built a strong platform for the future, and I am confident in the continued success of the organisation.”
West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals in Onne, Rivers State, is one of Nigeria’s leading container terminals, having commenced commercial operations in 2006.
The company has continued to invest in capacity expansion and modernisation, including a $115 million terminal upgrade project launched in 2020. The upgrade also includes the deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity, as well as the expansion of the existing yard, a new workshop, a new terminal auto gate, modernised offices and state-of-the-art technology. These investments have enhanced efficiency, strengthened service delivery and reinforced WACT’s role as an important gateway for trade beyond Lagos.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A new member has joined the board of Unilever Nigeria Plc, and she is Mrs Modupe Femi-Okunbanjo, who was appointed as an executive director of the organisation.
Her appointment, according to a statement from the company, is effective June 30, 2026. It followed the resignation of Mr Ibrahim Sodipe as an executive director of the firm with effect from June 30, 2026.
Mr Sodipe was praised for his valuable service and significant contributions to the entity, particularly in driving improved turnover and profitability and supporting Unilever Nigeria’s continued progress towards sustainable and profitable growth.
Mrs Femi-Okunbanjo was described as an accomplished finance and governance leader who, for more than 15 years, has steered finance teams, shaped strategy, and strengthened risk management frameworks in the fast-moving consumer goods and telecommunications sectors.
She is currently the Financial Controller of Nigeria and Regional Controls Lead for West Africa at Unilever Nigeria, where she oversees financial governance, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management.
Her work has been pivotal in embedding ethical leadership and data-driven decision-making at board level, while ensuring organisations remain resilient in the face of shifting market dynamics.
The new board member has established a reputation for elevating financial reporting, advancing audit excellence, and strengthening governance frameworks, thereby positioning organisations for sustainable growth and long-term value creation.
In her previous roles, she has a consistent track record of delivering margin expansion, enhancing governance & control environments, and leading transformation in challenging macroeconomic conditions.
She is equally committed to developing future talent and advancing financial literacy among younger generations.
Prior to her joining Unilever Nigeria Plc in 2018, Mrs Femi-Okunbanjo held key roles at UAC of Nigeria Plc, Helios Towers Nigeria, and Makasa Sun Nigeria Limited, where she pioneered control frameworks from the ground up, eliminating revenue leakages, digitising operations and embedding financial discipline.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Lagos State University and an MBA with Specialisation in Strategy from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, UK.
