Press Release
Guinness Nigeria Announces Board Changes, Appoints Omobola Johnson As First Female Board Chair
Guinness Nigeria outgoing Board Chair, Mr. Babatunde Savage and incoming Board Chair, Dr. Omobola Johnson (Source: Guinness Nigeria)
Guinness Nigeria announces the notice of retirement of its long-serving and indefatigable Board Chair, Mr. Babatunde Savage by June 30, 2021. The Company is also pleased to announce arrangements for pioneer Nigerian Minister of Communication & Technology and serving Guinness Nigeria Board member, Dr. Omobola Johnson to be appointed and assume the role of Board Chair with effect from 1st July 2021.
In his letter notifying the Board of his retirement in compliance with applicable Corporate Governance regulations, Mr. Savage expressed his pleasure at the opportunity to have been a part of the wonderful Guinness Nigeria story over the last four decades. He also thanked the Board of Guinness Nigeria and Diageo UK for the opportunity to have served in many capacities, first as an employee who held various strategic senior roles, then as an Executive Director and later the Chair of the Board, a role he has held for twelve eventful and progressive years. He also noted his unwavering support for Guinness Nigeria, Diageo, and its iconic brands. “After almost 40 amazing years, like every good thing, my journey with Guinness Nigeria is coming to an end and this is my time to exit this stage. I feel so proud of my association with this wonderful company with such rich heritage that constantly reminds you that you are standing on the shoulders of giants. Guinness Nigeria is and will always be family to me”, he said.
Babatunde Savage was appointed Chair of the Board in 2009 after working within the organization in a wide variety of executive roles including Company Treasurer, Director of Finance, Director of Corporate Planning, Company Secretary, Corporate Affairs Director, and Deputy Managing Director. With nearly 40 years of service to the organization, Savage’s journey in Guinness Nigeria has been remarkable, navigating so many challenges in different capacities and delivery many wins and successes for the organization.
The Vice-Chair of the Board and President, Diageo Africa, Mr. John O’Keeffe, thanked Mr. Savage profoundly on behalf of the Board of Diageo Plc., the parent company, for his invaluable contributions to the success of the Guinness Nigeria over the last forty years.
Also speaking on the retirement of Mr. Babatunde Savage, the Managing Director, Baker Magunda said “I must express my sincere thanks to Mr. Savage for his invaluable contribution to the Board since his appointment as Board Chair in 2009 particularly also in my own time as managing director, and his unwavering commitment to the success of the Company since he joined Guinness Nigeria in 1983. On behalf of the Board and Management, I wish Mr. Savage the very best.”
On the appointment of Dr. Omobola Johnson as Savage’s successor, Mr. O’Keeffe who is also the chair of the Nominations, Governance & Remunerations Committee of the Board said, “We are pleased to have Dr. Johnson as our in-coming Board Chair, especially because of the value and insight she has brought since her appointment as an Independent Non-Executive Director, and more recently as the chair of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee of the Board and member of the Nomination, Governance and Remunerations Committee in the last three years. This is truly an exciting time, in Guinness Nigeria’s 71st year, as we continue to build deeper relationships with our stakeholders and fulfill our purpose of helping people celebrate life everyday, everywhere This, with a truly diverse and inclusive Board, Management and workforce, skills and capabilities to reflect our broad consumer base.”
The outgoing Board Chair, Mr. Savage added, “Dr. Omobola Johnson as incoming Board Chair perfectly complements the Board of Guinness Nigeria because of her unmatched skills and experience, and I am confident she will continue to provide the right leadership and valuable perspectives to enable the company sustain the execution of its unique strategy, drive profitability and enhance value for all stakeholders”, he added.
Dr. Johnson is currently a serving member of the Guinness Nigeria Board has over 30 years experience in both the private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy. Commenting on her appointment, the former Country Managing Director for Accenture and now senior partner at TLCom Capital, a technology venture capital firm focused on Africa, said “Guinness Nigeria is an excellent company with tremendous value creation opportunities, and I believe the refreshed Board and the Management Team will remain committed to carrying on the excellent tradition of the Company led by Mr. Savage in achieving outstanding performance and maximizing shareholder value.”
Dr. Johnson will resume as Guinness Nigeria Plc.’s Board Chair on 1st July 2021 and the appropriate notification of her appointment as well as Mr. Savage’s retirement will be filed with relevant regulatory authorities as required by extant regulations.
The Gender Mainstreaming Programme 2024 organized by the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre aimed to close the gender gap in climate entrepreneurship. NCIC achieves this objective by collaborating with industry players, and stakeholders to drive and gain support for women in the industry, across Nigeria and the world at large. WeClimeEquallyWorkshop and the G-FIVE Business Accelerator by NCIC are the two instruments the organization uses to foster gender equality and climate-focused entrepreneurship.
The Gender and Climate Workshop Event
This Year’s WeClimeEquallyWorkshop 2024 with the theme: Equity and Sustainability Towards a Prosperous Future was held on Thursday 21, March 2024 at Four Points by Sheraton. The welcome address was led by Mr. Adamu, the Chief Operating Officer who represented Bankole Oloruntoba, the Chief Executive Officer, of NCIC. He emphasized the work of NCIC in championing projects that drive gender equality and entrepreneurship.
Mrs. Titi Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy rendered the Goodwill Message and raised the need for effective communication to spur the needed change as there are many communication nuances in the Nigerian landscape. Rendering the speech of His Excellency Babajide Sanwolu, Governor of Lagos state, Mrs. Oshodi plauded that the WeClimEqualityWorkshop provides a pivotal platform to exchange knowledge and amplify women’s voices and ensure their meaningful participation in climate and circular economy because there is a link between gender, women, and marginalization is essential.
The workshop also featured 4 expert paper presentations delivered by industry experts from KPMG, FC4SLagos, Fate Foundation, and academia. In addition, attendees were treated to an intriguing panel session on applying a gender lens to the triple Es of Employment, Environment, and Entrepreneurship. Following hours of interactions, attendees were allowed an opportunity to co-create practical strategies to infuse gender lens in organizational programming, policies, and framework.
Green Females in Venture Enterprise Business Accelerator
Building on some key outcomes of the #WeClimeEqually Workshop, 50 climate-focused women entrepreneurs entered a 4-day hybrid business accelerator program delivered in partnership with the Lagos Business School Sustainability Center. Core modules of the accelerator centered around sustainability, innovation, legal regulatory frameworks, business management, and grant writing amongst others.
Additional program support included a nursery for mothers, accommodation, a virtual learning platform for long-distance learners, and bonding activities. Participants were also certified at the end of the program. The Gender Mainstreaming for Climate Entrepreneurship is sponsored by Climate KIC; Europe’s leading Climate Innovation and Irish Aid. To learn more about the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center Visit the website here https://nigeriacic.org/about-us/
AFEX Management (Image: Supplied).
AFEX, Africa’s leading commodities market player, announced that it has secured a place in the Financial Times (FT) ranking of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies in 2024. Coming in at Number 5 this year, this marks the organization’s 3rd consecutive entry on the list, after ranking as the fastest growing company in Africa in 2023.
The Financial Times, in partnership with Statista, recognizes Africa’s most exciting businesses through the Fastest Growing Companies ranking, celebrating thriving businesses with exceptional revenue growth. The list ranks African companies by their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in revenue for 2019 and 2022. In that period, AFEX grew by 287.82% in the 4-year period, despite still felt effects of COVID-19, macroeconomic headwinds and market upheavals caused by uncertain policy environments and increasing natural disasters/ climate change effects witnessed in its existing markets of Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.
Since 2019, AFEX has been working across Africa, creating an efficient market for commodities trading and solving food insecurity by driving financing from the Nigerian Capital markets and retail investors. In 2020, the launch of their digital trading platform, ComX, lowered barriers for commodity trading and alternative investments, while providing transparent financing options for the currently fragmented agriculture value chain. Through innovative financial instruments like the FETC and Asset Backed Commercial Papers which have historically performed well, AFEX is creating the infrastructure to boost agriculture production across Africa.
Akinyinka Akintunde, President/CEO, AFEX Nigeria said “We are proud to once again be featured on the Fastest growing companies list for the third time in a row. This year’s entry is perhaps more significant for us considering the harsh market environment that a lot of businesses are undoubtedly contending with. This is a testament to all the work we have put in over the past few years to ensure Africa’s food self-sufficiency. Our expansion into Cote d’Ivoire this year also mirrors our commitment to our strategic expansion plan, Project Black Panther, which sees us replicating our business model in 9 African countries in the next decade to improve cross border trade on the continent”.
Today, AFEX has impacted the lives of over 500,000 farmers across 4 countries, while prioritizing creating a positive and lasting difference in their communities. Ultimately, AFEX is empowering local farming communities, fostering economic opportunities, and contributing to Africa’s sustainable self-sufficiency as the company prioritizes its impact goals.
LCH Consultancy & Associates Evelyn Wangui (Image: Supplied).
LCH Consultancy & Associates, an integrated advisory and strategic corporate communications agency focused on African development, is delighted to announce the appointment of Evelyn Wangui as the newest addition to its growing team to support the agency’s expanding global client portfolio. With over ten years of experience in strategic public relations, Evelyne brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to LCH Consultancy & Associates. As Director of Content and Media Relations, she will be pivotal in strengthening strategic services across the African region.
During her career, Evelyne has represented many multinational organisations from various industries, operating in both corporate and developmental spheres. She was educated in Kenya, studying journalism and political science at Nairobi University.
Commenting on her appointment, Evelyne said, “I am delighted to join this talented team of inspirational and highly motivated peers. This marks an exciting milestone in my profession. I look forward to innovating and executing new forms of corporate communications blended with business advisory.”
Lydia-Claire Halliday, Founder and Executive Director of LCH Consultancy & Associates, welcomed Evelyne. She noted that her entry aligns with the agency’s ongoing commitment to attract unique talent for continued world-class client support. “With this growing talent pool, I am confident that our clients will benefit from unparalleled communications and stakeholder relations support. We encourage both collaboration and intrapreneurship, which paves the way for our team’s development and success.”
LCH Consultancy was launched in 2012 to bridge the global knowledge gap by representing Africa and the corporations, organisations and people vested in its empowerment and equitable development. In 2023, the company officially rebranded as LCH Consultancy & Associates, representing the vital contribution of colleagues.
The agency specialises in three core areas:
- Investor Relations – supporting capital and debt raising while maintaining the perception of value across the global investment community. In this role, LCH Consultancy & Associates advises on price-sensitive commercial developments and business strategies to local and global audiences.
- Corporate Communications – developing and executing communications plans that strengthen relationships with the media, public, industry, regulatory, and government stakeholders.
- Strategic Business Advisory – providing unique intelligence, analysis, and insights to clients distinguished by a deep understanding of the opportunities present in Africa. This service has been instrumental in enabling clients to make informed decisions regarding their business development and identify partnerships and strategic alliances.
