Jobs/Appointments
Fidelity Bank Rejigs Board for Next Phase of Growth Trajectory
By Dipo Olowookere
The board of Fidelity Bank Plc has been reorganised as the financial institution prepares for life after its current Managing Director, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo.
Mr Okonkwo will retire from the company this week and would be succeeded by the current executive director of the bank in charge of its Lagos and Southwest Directorate, Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, from Friday, January 1, 2021.
As Mr Okonkwo is handing over to Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe, Fidelity Bank, which wants to meet the targets set for the next phase of its growth trajectory, has shopped for some of the best brains in the financial sector to be on its board.
The lender has carefully selected three persons it believes will make it achieve this goal as non-executive directors and they are Mrs Amaka Theodora Onwughalu, Mr Nelson Chidozie Nweke and Mr Chinedu Eric Okeke.
While the appointments of the first two have been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the third is yet to be authorised by the banking sector regulator.
Mrs Onwughalu, who has over 30 years’ banking experience, including over 10 years in executive management in various financial institutions, served in executive management positions in different institutions.
She was the former Group Managing Director of legacy Mainstreet Bank Limited where she led the successful execution of seamless integration of the bank with the defunct Skye Bank Plc, where she served as Deputy Managing Director until her retirement in July 2016.
Mrs Onwughalu, who holds a BSc Degree in Economics from the University of Buckingham, an MSc Degree in Corporate Governance from Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom and an MBA from the University of Port Harcourt, is currently the CEO of Blueshield Financial Services Limited.
For Mr Nweke, he had an extensive career in the financial services sector, rising to the position of executive director at legacy Intercontinental Bank Plc. He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).
The appointee, who is the current MD of Neilville Nigeria Limited, was a member of the governing council of Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency between 2014 and 2018.
He is presently an independent non-executive director of Berger Paints Plc and boasts of BSc. in Political Science and an MSc. in Industrial and Labour Relations, both from the University of Ibadan.
On the part of Mr Okeke, he is the MD of Azura Power West Africa Limited and had a stellar career spanning over 19 years in a succession of blue-chip companies including Guinness Nigeria Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc, Schlumberger Oilfield Services, and General Electric (GE).
The B.Eng. Degree holder in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and an MBA from Imperial College, London has a strong ability to develop and maintain strategic client relationships and deliver quality results under complex conditions.
Meanwhile, Fidelity Bank has announced the retirement of Mrs Aku Odinkemelu, the executive director in charge of Commercial and Consumer Banking, South Directorate, who was appointed to the board on August 4, 2014.
Also, Mr Charles Umolu, Mr Michael Okeke and Mr Alex Ojukwu have retired from the board of the financial institution as non-executive directors.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief operating officer of Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, Mr Jethro Iruobe, has been appointed as an executive director.
A statement from the organisation disclosed that the appointment is effective June 25, 2026.
In his new role, Mr Iruobe will participate in the formulation and execution of the company’s strategic priorities, provide executive leadership across critical functions, and contribute to its continued growth, sustainability and success.
The new board member joined the firm in 2019 as Head of Human Resources before growing to become the COO, with responsibility for Human Resources, Corporate Communications, Administration, Fleet and Commercial Excellence.
He has over 19 years of experience across a range of industries, including financial services, consulting, FMCG and manufacturing, having begun his career in banking before kicking off his HR career at KPMG and going on to hold senior roles at Promasidor Nigeria, Coca-Cola HBC and TGI Nigeria.
Throughout his career, he has supported organisations in building high-performing teams and driving sustainable business growth.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he is a columnist with Business Day Newspaper, a trained relationship counsellor and co-author, and a recipient of awards in both the human resources profession and other platforms.
Mr Iruobe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Benin and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Manchester Business School, United Kingdom. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and also holds the Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) certification awarded by the Human Resource Certification Institute.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Mr Malolan Sampath has been appointed as the new chief executive of Champion Breweries Plc, effective September 1, 2026.
The appointment of a new chief executive was approved by the board of the brewery giant following the resignation of Mr Inalegwu Adoga.
To ensure continuity during the transition pending Mr Sampath’s assumption of office, the board has appointed Mr Rasheed Ademola Adebiyi, Executive Director of Finance, to take charge of the affairs of the organisation.
In a statement, the board said it remains committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and to delivering a seamless leadership transition and sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders.
The new Sheriff in town, expected to take over next quarter, was described as an accomplished executive with over 26 years of international leadership experience across the beverage, FMCG, manufacturing and agro-industrial sectors, having built and led businesses up to $500 million in scale.
His beverage and brewing experience includes serving as Managing Director of Unique Beverages in Angola and as Sales & Marketing Director for a PepsiCo bottling franchise, in addition to earlier brewing-sector experience.
Most recently, he held the dual role of Managing Director (NPK Joint Venture) and Chief Marketing Officer at Indorama Eleme Fertilisers in Nigeria and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Global Industries Limited, a Wilmar International joint venture in Zambia.
He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (MBA) from the Symbiosis Centre for Management & HRD, Pune, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Chennai.
The board expressed confidence that his expertise in manufacturing excellence, commercial execution and business transformation will support the company’s strategic objectives and long-term growth.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Erudite legal practitioner, Mr Muiz Banire (SAN), has been appointed to the board of a construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
He joins the board of the organisation as a non-executive director, with effect from July 1, 2026, alongside Mrs Chinazo Okoye, who is an alternate director to Dr Ernest N. Azudialu-Obiejesi.
A statement from the company secretary, Ms Cecilia Ekanem Madueke, said Mrs Okoye is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Master of Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA, and a Master of Science Degree in Professional Accountancy from the University of London, London, UK.
She is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. She has worked in various positions in various companies and is currently the Managing Director of Amaranta Trading Limited.
As for Mr Banire, he is a graduate of the University of Lagos and holds a Master of Laws Degree as well as a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the same university.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. He also holds a Master Certificate in the Arbitration Master Course from the Lagos Court of Arbitration Training Institute. He was admitted to the Inner Bar and conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He is a Member of the International Bar Association, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Fellow of the Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Institute of Management. He is registered with the Law Society of England.
He had served in various capacities in the Legal profession, academic community and publicly. He was conferred with the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
He is the Founder and Principal Partner, M. A. Banire & Associates, Member of the Board of Trustees, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
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