It was rain of accolades for the outgoing Group Managing
Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza in Lagos on
Wednesday as captains of industry and leading voices of Nigerian society
witnessed the launch of a book in his honour.
The book titled “Dynamics of the Nigerian
Financial System” edited by Professor Michael M. Ogbeide is a compilation of
essays on the Nigerian financial system in honour of Oduoza, who retires
at the end of July, having completed his two terms of three years each at the
helm of the pan African financial institution.
Speaking during the occasion, Chairman of Best
Foods Limited, who was the chairman of the book launch, Emmanuel Ijewere said
Oduoza is worth celebrating because “he has proven himself to be a worthy
banker, an authority in the banking industry, and an administrator who
has traversed the banking and financial landscape without blemish. A special
brand dedicated to excel”.
Also, Chairman United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony O.
Elumelu, in his remarks, commended Phillips Oduoza for sustaining the growth
trajectory of UBA Plc in the last six years. “Oduoza is a man with a very
cerebral mind, very diligent, loyal and astute. A man retiring in two days,
who still works like he just resumed. During the period we worked together at
UBA, he was a wonderful big brother. A man who loves and encourages progress
and a man who always works for the best of everything.”
Elumelu said that the performance of UBA today, both
financial and brand management are all attributable to Oduoza and all the team
he worked with.
Alex Otti, former CEO of Diamond Bank Plc, praised Oduoza
for his extra-ordinary talent and management skills and leaving the banking
industry with his integrity intact. He urged Oduoza to ensure that he puts his
wealth of experience in the banking industry to the benefit of the country.
Also speaking on the occasion, the editor of the book, a
renowned academician from the University of Lagos, Professor Mike
Ogbeide, said the book is a worthy testimony of Oduoza’s sterling
contributions to an industry whose zenith he reached by scoring many firsts.
Jumai Oduoza, the wife Phillips Oduoza, put together the
book launch to honour her husband’s over two decades sojourn in the African
banking industry.
Reviewing the book, Professor Awolabi Kuye, said the
book is a metaphor for excellence and recommended reading and study of the book
to students and all those interested in the Nigerian financial industry.
Phillips Oduoza, who has been the Group Managing Director
and CEO of pan-African banking group, United Bank for Africa Plc since August
2010 officially retires from the bank on 31 July after successfully completing
two terms of three years each. He will be succeeded by Kennedy Uzoka, who has
been the Deputy Managing Director, working closely with Oduoza, in the last six
years. UBA says the smooth transition process is a testimony to the strength of
the bank’s succession planning model.
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