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 of 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 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.

Oduoza, who has been the Group Managing Director and CEO of the bank since August 2010 officially, retires from the bank on 31 July. 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.

•Photo shows outgoing UBA GMD/CEO Phillips Oduoza.

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