The cream of society was in attendance on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, when pan-African banking group, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, organized a befitting sent forth ceremony for its former Group Managing Director, Mr. Phillips Oduoza and two retired Executive Directors, Mr. Femi Olaloku and Ms. Obi Ibekwe.
The event had in attendance dignitaries from Nigeria and Africa, including the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi Lamido II, captains of industry like the Chairman of MTN, Mr. Pascal Dozie, and political leaders such as governors Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Simon Lalong of Plateau State.
Former governors were not left out of the roll call: former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, Senate Minority Leader and former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, and former governors of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniels were also in attendance. Others who were at the event were critical stakeholders of the bank including customers, shareholders, Board of Directors, staff and associates.
Tony Elumelu, Chairman, UBA Plc, in his remarks at the occasion, paid glowing tribute to Oduoza, describing him as “very cerebral, very diligent, loyal and astute’’. He stated further, “Oduoza is largely responsible for the reforms of the Nigerian payment systems, which the banks and many Nigerians are benefiting from today.”
In his response, Oduoza, thanked the UBA Chairman for his kind words and for taking a bet on him. He also thanked the banking sector regulators for providing the enabling environment that made the bank to thrive during his tenure. He stated that he would continue ‘’to contribute my quota to the development of the Nigerian banking system”.
Ms. Ibekwe, speaking on behalf of the retiring directors, thanked the bank for the honour done to her and her colleague. She said that she cherished her time at the bank and will continue to be a great ambassador of the UBA brand.
Top Nigerian musical acts brought more excitement to an already fun evening. Dr. Sid and Olamide “Baddo” kept the audience dancing throughout the evening.
The night was not just about those retiring as the bank also used the opportunity to introduce the bank’s new GMD, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka.
It was, indeed, a sight to behold when the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Victor Osadolor, executive directors, CEOs from UBA’s 18 African subsidiaries and its operations in New York, London and Paris, came on stage waving the flags of their respective countries to usher in Mr. Uzoka.
In his short speech, Mr. Uzoka promised that he and his team would build on the foundation laid by Oduoza to take the bank to greater heights.
