Shareholders of NEM Insurance Plc have approved the appointments of Mr. Tope Smart as the chairman of the Board of Directors and Mr. Andrew Ikekhua as the managing director.
These appointments were confirmed by the shareholders during the company’s 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Profiles of the Appointees
Tope Smart: Mr. Smart holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is an Associate member of both the Chartered Insurance Institute of London and the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. Mr. Smart is a staunch advocate for a stronger and improved insurance sector in Africa. He serves as a Council member for several organizations, including the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, the West African Insurance Companies Association (Ghana), and the Nigeria-Britain Association. He is also a member of the Senate at the University of Lagos and a past Chairman of the Nigeria Insurers Association. As a past President of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO), Mr. Smart was instrumental in the organization’s significant growth and increased visibility through various initiatives. Currently, he is the Chairman of Alpha Morgan Capital Limited and NEM Health Limited, as well as the Vice-Chairman of the AIO Foundation, among other roles. In 2014, the Federal Government appointed him as Co-Chairman of the Insurance Industry Transformation Committee.
Andrew Ikekhua: Mr. Ikekhua earned a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication in 1997 from the Plateau State School of Accountancy & Management Studies, Jos, and an MBA in Administration and Entrepreneurship from the London School of Business and Finance. He also holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from ITTL-Doctoral Research Center and the University of Phoenix, Arizona. He is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (ACIIN) and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (FCE 2009). Additionally, he is a full member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM 2014), a Fellow of the Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (Chartered 2020), a Fellow of the Institute of Commerce of Nigeria (Chartered 2020), and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (2020). Before becoming the company’s branch manager for Ibadan and Ikeja from 2001 to 2006, Mr. Ikekhua held various positions in the accounts and audit departments of both BAICO (1981 -1990) and NEM Insurance Plc (1990 -2000). Following the company’s recapitalization in 2007, he became the Head of the Lagos Mainland Branch and was promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2009. Recognized for his exceptional performance, he rose to Deputy General Manager in 2013 and General Manager, Marketing in 2014. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director, Marketing & Business Development.
Other Appointments
The shareholders also approved the appointments of Idowu Semowo as an Executive Director, and Chief Anthony Aletor, Mrs. Abisola Giwe-Osagie, and Dr. Daphne Oterie Dafinone as Non-Executive Directors of the company.
PwC Nigeria’s New Partners
PwC Nigeria has announced the admission of three new partners, effective July 1, 2024: Marilyn Obaisa-Osula (Consulting & Risk Services), Taiwo Oyaniran (Assurance), and Tim Siloma (Tax & Regulatory Services). This announcement is part of PwC Africa’s admission of 15 new partners, with 40 percent being female, marking a significant step towards achieving the firm’s gender representation goals in leadership.
Sam Abu, Country Senior Partner, PwC Nigeria, praised the new partners for their deep expertise and experience in strategic areas vital for Nigeria’s growth. He highlighted their roles in navigating challenges and building resilience in an era of continuous reinvention.
Marilyn Obaisa-Osula: With over 15 years of experience in business development, market entry, and sustainability, Marilyn leads the firm’s efforts in supporting clients’ transitions to Green, Circular, and Blue economies across West Africa. She holds a certificate in Business Sustainability and Sustainable Finance from the University of Cambridge (CISL) UK, a degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Benin, and a master’s degree in Public and Development Management from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Taiwo Oyaniran: A seasoned chartered accountant with extensive post-qualification experience, Taiwo drives PwC Nigeria’s Agribusiness Services, service delivery to international donor agencies, and clients in the Consumer and Industrial Products & Services industry. He is also the Lead Ethics Officer at PwC Nigeria and the West Market Area of PwC Africa. Taiwo will focus on expanding the firm’s market presence in Agribusiness, International Donor Agencies, and Consumer and Industrial Products & Services, while mentoring young professionals.
Tim Siloma: A tax professional with over 15 years at PwC, Tim specializes in Tax Reporting and Strategy. He has significant international experience, having worked in the UK, Kenya, and Nigeria. Tim enhances tax systems for revenue authorities with sustainable solutions in people, processes, and technology. He holds an LLB from the University of Nairobi and a CPA from Strathmore Business School. Tim is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a CPA-K, and an Associate Member of both ICAN and CITN.
Cavista Holdings’ New Group Marketing Director
Cavista Holdings Limited has appointed Wole Adedeji as the new Group Marketing Director. Wole brings over 20 years of extensive multi-industry and multinational experience. His career spans Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) with Heineken N.V. and Guinness/Diageo, Technology with Interswitch, Telecommunications with Glo Mobile, and Advertising with Insight (Publicis) Communication and Omnicom Media Group. According to Dele Odufuye, Group Managing Director of Cavista Holdings, Wole’s rich background in commercial leadership, customer acquisition, customer journey and lifetime management, brand building, digital transformation, and revenue management makes him an invaluable addition to the leadership team. Wole holds numerous international certifications and is a fellow of several professional bodies, reflecting his commitment to continuous professional development and excellence.
