Mr Asue Ighodalo, allegedly favoured by Governor Godwin Obaseki as his successor in Edo State has resigned as the chairman of Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries Plc to pursue his political ambition.
The company announced the resignation of Ighodalo and the subsequent recomposition of its board of directors in a notification by its Secretary, Mr Uaboi Agbebaku to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) on Friday in Lagos.
Ighodalo had recently confirmed his intention to seek the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2024 governorship election in Edo, while addressing his kinsmen in front of his family home in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government of the state.
Speaking through an interpreter, Ighodalo dismissed critics who described him as a ‘Lagos boy’ while asserting that he is a true Esan boy and has been involved in efforts to develop Edo State since 2008.
“I have been giving advice since 2008, which is 15 years ago, which means that I came into Edo state, five, six, so many times a year for government business, not to talk about my own business. So, people can say what they like. And this issue of an Edo boy, this issue of a true son of the soil, is in the heart. There are many of our brothers and sisters in diaspora who are more Edo than many of them that lives here. We must all come together to come and develop Edo State, plus the people in ‘mama put’, plus the people in Canada, we come together and develop Edo State,” Ighodalo had said.
In line with his political ambition, Ighodalo in his letter of resignation said he was going to offer himself for public service.
The company added that Ighodalo would be resigning from the board and in his capacity as the Chairman in line with proper corporate governance practice, on Dec. 31, 2023.
Agbebaku quoted Ighodalo as saying that the decision came with mixed emotions of a painful sacrifice to enable his full devotion to the new cause.
“It is with heartfelt regret that I announce my resignation as the Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Breweries Plc effective Dec. 31, 2023.
“After extensive deliberations, I have decided to offer myself for public service to our dear country.
“It is my pride to have been part of such a formidable organisation well-positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s ever-changing business environment,” he said.
Agbebaku also announced the appointment of the longest-serving director, Sijbe Hiemstra, as the Chairman of the company in an interim capacity effective Jan. 1, 2024, pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.
He stated that during the transition period, Hiemstra would steer the affairs of the board and oversee the process of appointing a substantive chairman.
“We also announce the completion of the tenure of Ndidi Nwuneli, as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the company, following the completion of her tenure.
“The board also informs of the appointment of Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli as Non-Executive Director to fill a vacancy on the Board, effective January 1, 2023.
“Ojekwe-Onyejeli brings to the board years of knowledge and experience as a risk manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry, and skilled in enterprise risk management, business planning, internal audit, and analytical skills.
“She currently serves on the boards of Coronation Insurance Plc and Rand Merchant Bank, amongst others,” he said.
(NAN)
