Jobs/Appointments
Kreek Africa: Finding Meaningful Work Through Freelancing
By Adedapo Adesanya
Over the years, the method of working has experienced various changes, and so have the reasons for doing so.
Finding and engaging in meaningful work has also become popular as many different employment options are springing up; freelancing is one of them. Meaningful work simply explains having a genuine connection between the work you do and your life’s purpose, and with freelancing platforms like Kreek Africa, it is possible.
Very often, it is assumed that one has to be a part of an organization for them to engage in meaningful work. But for those interested in having full control of their careers, or those who aren’t ‘fortunate’ enough to be a part of a company, freelancing can still be rewarding with the right platform. According to the Harvard business review, there are six drivers that made work meaningful for freelancers, and Kreek Africa offers these.
The first driver of meaningful work is balance, and this refers to freelancers having the time for other things outside of work. And a freelance website like Kreek Africa means freelancers can work from any location and at any time. It also gives them the liberty to schedule their work life and their personal life. Right next to balance comes autonomy, where freelancers have control over their careers.
On the Kreek Africa platform, you decide what work to participate in based on reviews of clients that have already gone through a rigorous authentication process as a way of ensuring safety. That means freelancers can participate in online jobs that add value to their work while earning an income. There is nothing like office politics to get in the way, and professionals can give off their best with no interference.
Apart from these two, advancement is another important driver of meaningful work. And with a wide pool of projects with different levels, freelancers have the opportunity to engage in those that challenge them and put their qualifications to good use. It allows them to take more responsibly in their work as there will be no red tape processes. The accountability for their work is also a great way to gain some credibility, independence, and status in their field. Freelancers can also benefit from the variety of projects on the platform as well, which will help them grow in their chosen fields.
The last two drivers, service and affiliation, also make work more meaningful for freelancers as it gives a sense of being part of something bigger. Kreek Africa is dedicated to projecting the talent that Africa has by creating a platform for its citizens. With foreign or Western platforms, many African freelancers may face one form of discrimination or the other, which makes work challenging and slow. Kreek Africa eliminates this and, in the process, redefines the African economy. The platform makes it easier for those who prefer working for themselves, which is a large portion of Africans to achieve their goals and dreams.
Meaningful work isn’t only good for freelancers, and companies that use the platform can also benefit. They can choose their freelancers, pay for work that they are satisfied with, and get things done the smart way. This saves money and time, and in times like these, where human contact is quite challenging yet important to business, gives organizations a way out.
So, why is meaningful work important? The long and short of it all is that engaging in meaningful work provides a sense of fulfilment that promotes giving off your best and going the extra mile. It positively affects the way you go about things and improves overall satisfaction with work. And while finding meaningful work by yourself is great as a freelancer, it will be even better to have a platform that makes this simpler, and that is where Kreek Africa comes in.
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.
