Jobs/Appointments
Institute Certifies Olam Top Employer in Africa
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
For the second straight year, Olam has been certified the Top Employer Institute, a global authority on recognising excellence in people practices, as the Top Employer in Africa.
The agri-business firm having was certified as an employer of choice in the African region for 2022 at a virtual event held on January 20, 2022, to celebrate businesses with stellar HR practices globally.
The auditing survey from the Top Employers Institute highlighted Olam as excelling in each of the assessment categories, which included people strategy, organisation and change, career development, digital HR, work environment, employer branding, talent acquisition and onboarding, performance management, learning, wellbeing, rewards and recognition, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability.
Speaking on the latest certification, Jaideep Biswas, Senior Vice President & Regional Head of Human Resources, at Olam, said, “To have secured the Top Employer Certification for two consecutive years reinforces our belief that our team is our greatest asset.
“Even amidst a global pandemic, we did not reduce our focus. We were able to make our employees our top priority to keep them safe, engaged, and inspired. At Olam, we will continue to invest in our people because it makes business sense. I’m extremely proud of our team and grateful for this recognition.”
Elated by the recognition, Mukul Mathur, Country Head, Olam Nigeria said, “Our approach to talent acquisition, onboarding, learning and strategic implementation of capacity development procedures, career progression plans, compensation and benefits, and employee value propositions are targeted at improving the working lives of our employees.
“Our certification for two consecutive years as an employer of choice, therefore, validates our overriding commitment to driving a workplace experience that matches the aspirations of our people and global best practices.”
Four of the agribusiness conglomerate’s Africa operations: Olam Nigeria, Olam Ghana, Olam Cote D’Ivoire, and Olam South Africa were again certified Top Employer of Choice.
Olam was founded in Nigeria in 1989. While the business has expanded to different markets in the world, its investment in the country remains massive with a strong backward integration programme directly impacting positively on the livelihoods of local smallholder farmers.
Some of the company’s products include Mama’s Pride Rice, Mama Gold Flour, Tasty Tom tomato paste, Cherie noodles, Pure Bliss biscuits, amongst others.
David Plink, the CEO at the Top Employer Institute said: “Olam has continued to show that it prioritises maintaining excellent people practices in their workplace.
“In the past year, they continued to meet the challenges of the wider world of work while working determinedly to positively impact the lives of their workforce. We are pleased to celebrate and applaud the organisations that have been certified as Top Employers in Africa this year.”
The Top Employers Institute assesses over 600 HR business practices around the world yearly. Through an HR Best Practices Survey, it examines organisations’ talent strategy, workforce planning, talent acquisition, onboarding, learning & development, performance management, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, career & succession management, compensation & benefits, and culture.
So far, the institute has certified and recognised more than 1,600 top employers in 119 countries across five continents.
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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