On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Board and Management of leading Nigerian commercial bank, Fidelity Bank Plc, hosted a black tie dinner to honour a banking Titan, Prof Benedict Okey Oramah, GCON, the outgoing President and Chairman of the Board of Africa’s Premier Trade Bank, African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank). The event, which held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, was used to honour Prof. Oramah for his outstanding and meritorious service to Afrexim Bank and the African/Caribbean countries at large.

In attendance were Prof Oramah’s family, friends, and many distinguished guests from the Public and Private Sector, notably: Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Hannatu Musa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Finance; Barrister ’Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, SSG, Lagos State; Mr. Patrick Ubru, Commissioner for Agriculture, Enugu State, who represented the State Governor; Hon Chucks Chukwuemeka, Commissioner for Finance, Imo State, who represented the State Governor; and Madam Folashade Ambrose, Commissioner for Commerce , Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Lagos State.

Others include: Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank at Afrexim Bank; Mr. Simon Tiemtore, Founder & CEO, Vista Group Holding SA; Mr. Chris Oshiafi, MD/CEO, Pan African Capital Plc, and his wife, Mrs Lola Oshiafi ; Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, MD/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria; Chief Mrs Stella Okoli, Founder & CEO, Emzor Pharm Ind Ltd; Sir Dan Chukwudozie, Founder and Executive Chairman, Dozzy Group; Lady Ada Chukwudozie, Chairman, Keystone Bank; Mrs Uju Ifejika, Founder & CEO, Britannia U & Chief Emmanuel Ifejika; Mr. Simeon Eyisi, Chairman/CEO, SIMS Nigeria Ltd & Barr Mrs Bernadette Eyisi; Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless, Founder & Group President, Azikel Group; and Dr. Okey Anueyiagu, President, Society for Arts Collection, & Mrs Hadiza Anueyiagu.

Also in attendance were Prince Chris Igwe, Founder & CEO, Mainland Oil and Gas Co. Ltd; Sir Nnamdi Obi,Chairman/MD, Embassy Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals Ltd; Mrs Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, Founder, Woodhall Capital; as well as Chief Ifeanyi Oramah and his daughter.

A lot was said at the dinner about Prof. Oramah’s accomplishments in Afrexim Bank as CEO which needs no repetition, but a few will be highlighted here:

(i) Under his leadership, the bank’s total assets grew from $3.7 billion to about $42 billion (ii) Introduction of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), and the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF)

(iii) Launch of the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System (PAPSS)

(iv) The Commissioning of African Medical Center of Excellence, Abuja.

However for us at NESH Foundation, his biggest accomplishment is his visioning of a Global Africa Trade/Economy as a very important pillar for the fast tracking of the sustainable development of Africa and the Caribbean, and successfully selling this vision to many Public and Private Sectors leaders in Africa and the Caribbean. Global Africa Trade/Economy entails increased trade between African countries, and African and Caribbean countries, and putting in place relevant hard and soft infrastructure such as Roads, Rails, Ports, no visa requirements, which will facilitate easier movement of goods and services between African countries. It is to support this vision that NESH Foundation is promoting the Global Africa Young Entrepreneurs Network (GAYEN) which has been incorporated in Ghana.

•Contributed by Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Founder, Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit & Honors (NESH) Foundation, and Promoter, Global Africa Young Entrepreneurs Network (GAYEN).

•PHOTO: Some Public Sector officials and the Chief Hostess and her husband in a group photo with Prof Oramah and his wife: L to R: Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, Chairman/CEO, Graviti Hill Ltd; Hon Chucks Chukwuemeka, Commissioner for Finance, Imo State; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Prof Benedict Okey Oramah & Mrs Chinelo Oramah; His Excellency, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Dr. Mrs Nneka Onyeali Ikpe; Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Finance; Hannatu Musa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Mr. Patrick Ubru, Commissioner for Agriculture, Enugu State.