U.S. Institute honours Ovia as Africa’s business leader


Frontline businessman Jim Ovia has been honoured as a leading entrepreneur in Africa by the African-American Institute (AAI).

Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank PLC and philanthropist, on Tuesday night, received the AAI 2017 Business Leader Award at a ceremony held on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York, the United States. He was recognised for impacting hugely on enterprise and human resource development on the continent.

Ovia, founding Group Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria’s largest bank, was honoured along with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana (National Achievement); Nicole Amarteifio (Leadership in African Media and Arts); and Bozoma Saint-John, Chief Brand Officer, UBER (Innovation & Technology) as Africa’s best.

The  Africa-America Institute was set up in 1953 to help increase Africa’s human capacity for development through training and education. It recognises Africans who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in various fields, the intention as to present the award winners at the high profile stage of the UN General Assembly as representatives of the great work going on in Africa.

The AAI yearly Awards showcases Africa’s best. It has honoured individuals who are working to fulfill AAI’s mission of increasing Africa’s human capacity for development and promoting engagement between the African continent and America.

The awards are presented at a special gala night bringing together African Heads of State and diplomats, international and senior U.S. government officials, business and civil society leaders, educators, journalists, philanthropists and other prominent figures who are working towards advancing economic and development progress in Africa

Ovia was at the helm of affairs at Zenith Bank, from inception, for 20 years until his resignation in July, 2010. He was reappointed the Chairman of the bank in 2014. He was a member of the National Economic Management Team of Nigeria and he is a member of the Honorary International Investors’ Council.

Jim Ovia is a philanthropist and the founder and proprietor of James Hope College, Agbor, Delta State. His foundation, the Jim Ovia Foundation, which focuses on providing scholarship to the less-privileged, has a number of beneficiaries that are now qualified medical doctors, engineers, etc.

He is also the Founder of several enterprises and philanthropic institutions, including the Youth Empowerment & ICT Foundation, which focuses on improving the socio-economic welfare of Nigerian youths by empowering them to embrace Information and Communication Technology.

In recognition of his achievements, particularly in support of the Nigerian economy, Jim Ovia was conferred with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in November, 2011.

Jim Ovia holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Louisiana, Louisiana, USA (1979) and a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Louisiana, USA (1977). He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (OPM).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kehinde Smith launches My Extentionz in Lagos (photos)

Image
Well-known and respected US brand; My Extensionz, popular for the best quality exclusive raw virgin hair, has finally made its way to Lagos, Nigeria. Two young beautiful Nigerian twins Kehinde and Taiwo Smith own the brand and began the business 4 years ago when they noticed a lack of affordable quality extensions available in the market. “We pride ourselves in providing our customers with consistent access to a variety of unique and versatile products that lasts for years.” - Kehinde Smith, co-owner of  My   Extensionz My   Extensionz  has graced our screens internationally and locally on platforms such as BET, VH1, COOL TV, STAR GIST , and more and also boast of celebrity clients and celebrity ambassadors like Teyana Taylor, Yandy Smith, and many more.  My   Extensionz  provides tailored wigs, hair extensions, luxury clip-in hair extensions, silk/lace top closures and styling tools.   Currently operating a few retail locations in the U.S, one in Lagos
Read more

Open Letter to Nigerian Youths, 'Throw Away That Degree Or You Will Die Poor'- By Timothy Goma

Image
Written by “Timothy Rex Goma” below is your read! ''Throw Away That Degree Otherwise You Will Die Poor, Most of the educated people in Nigeria are poor. Majority of the educated earn less than N55,000 for a salary before tax and other deductions. When the deductions are put into consideration, the net salary comes to around N50,000. The net salary then suffers from loan deductions of up to N15,000 leaving the salary at around N35,000. The landlord then demands for his N15,000 and monthly shopping takes away N10,000 leaving one with a N10,000. The bus will demand for N300 going to and from work and relatives get another N2,500. The whole salary is gone and borrowed money starts operating. The borrowed money includes short loans and salary advances. The difference between poverty and prosperity is property. A prosperous person has property to his name while a poverty stricken person has no property to show. Using this understanding, therefore, most of the degree holder
Read more

Oshiomhole & wife at Femi Adeshina & Garba Shehu's NGE Honour

Image
  On Friday night August 21st, the Special Adviser to Pres. Buhari, Femi Adesina and Senior Special Assistant to the President Mallam Garba Shehu were hosted to a dinner party by the Nigerian Guild of Editors on their recent appointment. The event held at the Transcorp Hilton and was attended by Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his wife and other dignitaries. More photos after the cut...
Read more