Jobs/Appointments
Bolarinwa Emerges ACAMB President, Vows to Reposition Group
By Dipo Olowookere
The Head of Corporate Communications of Polaris Bank, Mr Rasheed Bolarinwa, has emerged as the new president of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB).
He was among the new executives of the group elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ACAMB held on Thursday, January 19, 2022, at the Bankers’ House, CIBN Building, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He and other excos will pilot affairs of the umbrella association of communications and marketing professionals working in Nigeria’s banking sector for the next two years.
Others elected were First Bank’s Mr Oze K. Oze as the First Vice President, Mrs Lola Egboh of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) as the Second Vice President, while the new Secretary-General is Mr Sipe Babajide of Ecobank.
The position of Assistant Secretary-General was won by Mr Omede Odekina of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), while Mr Patrick Osilaja of Fidelity Bank emerged as the Financial Secretary.
Wema Bank’s Mrs Funmilayo Falola was elected as the new Treasurer, Mr Abdul Imoyo of Access Bank will serve as the Publicity Secretary, while Mrs Ozena Utulu of Heritage Bank will assume the role of Social Secretary.
In addition, the immediate past president of the group, staff from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) will serve as ex-officios.
In his post-election acceptance speech, the new ACAMB president assured members that he would reposition the association as a foremost professional body they would all be proud of, adding that his vision also includes innovating a post-retirement strategy that ensures members have a sustainable livelihood long after exiting the industry.
“I will be committed to my vision, which is to reposition ACAMB as a foremost professional Association that encourages and ensures every marketing communications professional in the Banks aspires and attains the highest level of professional recognition and fulfilment on the job while at the same time being assured of a sustainable livelihood long after exiting the industry,” he stated.
Mr Bolarinwa, who served in the past executive as a two-term Secretary-General, restated his commitment to the upliftment of members in line with his electioneering promises anchored on the four-pillar themed PEAL: Partnership & Platform, Engagement, Advocacy, and Learning & Value-addition (PEAL).
The new President further assured that ACAMB under his leadership would seek partnerships and platforms among strategic institutions and stakeholders with a view to delivering value to members, as well as enhancing professionalism.
He also said his team would embark on advocacy aimed to deepen awareness and knowledge of the banking industry and its contributions to national socio-economic growth.
Earlier, the Chairman of the ACAMB Electoral Committee, Mr Segun Shonubi, said all aspirants for the advertised position had met minimum requirements as outlined in the association constitution and, therefore, qualified to stand for the election.
A 1996 graduate of Mass Communication, Mr Bolarinwa holds a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan and an MSc degree from the UNESCO-certified Mass Communication department of the University of Lagos.
He is a member of numerous professional bodies, including Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN); Registered Practitioner, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), and Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
He has also attended several high-impact function-specific and leadership training at top business schools in Nigeria and overseas.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The board of Fortis Global Insurance Plc has been strengthened with two new additions, with Mr Umar Faruk Umar appointed as an independent non-executive director and Mr Ufuoma Ibru as a non-executive director.
A statement signed by the company secretary, Ms Halima Jimada, disclosed that the appointments followed the approval of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), an agency that regulates the insurance sector in Nigeria.
The board expressed optimism that the new directors will bring their wealth of experience to bear in driving the growth and expansion of the business, and that the company will be further strengthened by their valuable contributions.
Mr Umar is an accomplished educationist, public servant and corporate director with over 40 years of professional experience, including over 30 years of board and corporate governance experience.
He holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, USA. He has also undertaken executive education and corporate governance programmes at Harvard University, Stanford University and INSEAD.
He has held senior positions in the public and private sectors and previously served on the boards of Ashaka Cement Plc, CCNN Plc and NAHCO Plc, where he chaired and served on various board committees, including Audit, Risk Management, Governance, Finance and Establishment.
He currently serves on the Boards of GTL Registrars Limited and the Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund. His extensive experience in corporate governance, risk management, finance and strategic oversight will bring significant value to the Board in his capacity as an independent non-executive director.
On his part, Mr Ibru is a legal practitioner and an experienced non-executive director with extensive professional and board experience in the hospitality, tourism and financial services sectors. He has served on the boards of Ikeja Hotel Plc, The Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc and Icon Stockbrokers Limited.
He holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Oxford, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2003. He also holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronic Engineering from the University of London.
Mr Ibru has significant experience in corporate governance, strategic management, legal and regulatory matters, investment transactions and stakeholder engagement.
He brings to the board a strong combination of legal, commercial and corporate governance expertise, which will support the effective discharge of his responsibilities as a non-executive director.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Heirs Life Assurance, a specialist life insurance company owned by Nigerian business mogul, Mr Tony Elumelu, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, effective August 10, 2026.
The appointment reinforces Heirs Life Assurance’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating insurance adoption by strengthening public trust, consumer education, and long-term financial resilience across Nigeria.
Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, continues to record insurance penetration of less than one per cent, ranking among the lowest globally and underscoring the need to deepen financial protection and strengthen public confidence in insurance. As Heirs Life advances its goal of making insurance more accessible to Nigerians, the appointment of the preacher is expected to bring valuable insight in community engagement, values-driven leadership and initiatives with wider social impact.
Pastor Jerry Eze is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, a growing multinational ministry with 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America. He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), one of the world’s largest digital prayer platforms, reaching millions of people daily. Through his ministry and humanitarian initiatives, he is regarded as one of Africa’s most influential voices, championing hope, compassion, and community transformation.
Beyond ministry, the clergyman is the Founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith-led philanthropy where he provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities.
In 2026, he announced N1 billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, further advancing enterprise development and economic opportunity.
Before entering full-time ministry, Pastor Jerry Eze built a career in development communications, serving as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Speaking about the appointment, Mr Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance, said, “Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities. As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians. We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pastor Jerry Eze said, “I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry. Financial security empowers individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience. I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The conclusion of the 2025 Performance Appraisal Exercise of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has resulted in the promotion and step increments of about 1,126 employees of the organisation.
The reward for performance involved the promotion of 547 employees and 579 step increments, reaffirming the company’s unwavering commitment to recognising excellence, rewarding performance and building one of Africa’s most admired workplaces.
AEDC disclosed that these actions reflect its deliberate investment in its people as the energy firm accelerates its transformation into a customer-centric, high-performing electricity distribution company with global standards and Pan-African aspirations.
The promotions and step increments, approved by the management, recognise employees who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, professionalism and outstanding performance in advancing AEDC’s strategic objectives.
However, employees who were not successful in the current appraisal cycle have been urged to remain committed, emphasising that the performance management process is designed to support continuous growth, capability development and future advancement opportunities.
“Our people remain our greatest asset and the foundation upon which AEDC’s future will be built. Today’s announcement is more than a reward for performance; it is a reaffirmation of our belief that excellence should always be recognised, talent should be nurtured and hard work should create opportunities for growth.
“As we continue our transformation journey, we are building an organisation where our employees can develop rewarding careers, realise their full potential and proudly contribute to creating one of Africa’s leading electricity distribution companies,” the chief executive of AEDC, Mr Chijioke Okwuokenye, stated.
He added that AEDC is intentionally creating a workplace where merit, continuous learning, innovation and collaboration drive career progression, while employee wellbeing remains central to its long-term strategy.
