HBM Nigeria Plc has appointed peacebuilding expert Fatima Akilu and former Attorney-General of Cross River State, Nella Andem-Ewa, as the company’s Independent Non-Executive Directors, effective 1 July.
The appointments, disclosed in a regulatory filing signed by the company’s Secretary and Legal Director, Adewunmi Alode, are subject to ratification by shareholders at the company’s next Annual General Meeting.
The appointments follow the resignation of Adenike Ogunlesi, an Independent Non-Executive Director, and Elenda Osima-Dokubo, a Non-Executive Director, whose exits took effect on 30 June.
HBM Nigeria acknowledged the outgoing directors for their service, describing their contributions as instrumental to the company’s growth and governance.
The building solution company said Ms Ogunlesi and Ms Osima-Dokubo brought significant entrepreneurial experience, commercial insight and strategic leadership to the board, helping the company navigate business challenges during their tenure.
“The Board and Management express their sincere gratitude to Mrs Ogunlesi and Ms Osima-Dokubo for their invaluable contributions and commitment to the Company.
“As accomplished entrepreneurs and business owners, they brought their wealth of commercial insight, strategic vision, and practical business acumen to the boardroom,” the company stated.
The company also hailed the new board members, urging them to provide their valuable expertise and strategic oversight to drive sustainable growth and excellence in the company.
“The Board and Management warmly welcome Dr. Fatima Akilu and Mrs. Nella Andem-Ewa and look forward to the valuable expertise and strategic oversight they will bring to the Company as we continue to drive sustainable growth and excellence,” it said.
Profiles
Ms Akilu is the Founder and Executive Director of the Neem Foundation, where she leads initiatives to prevent violent extremism, promote mental health, and strengthen community resilience.
She previously served as Director of Behavioural Analysis and Strategic Communication at the Office of the National Security Adviser, where she helped develop Nigeria’s countering violent extremism programme.
The psychologist also held leadership positions at the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and at Leadership Newspapers.
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Ms Akilu holds a PhD and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the United Nations-mandated University for Peace, an Honorary Professor at King’s College London, and a board member of the Overseas Development Institute.
Moreso, Ms Andem-Ewa is the Principal Partner at Lexglobal Partners LP and has more than three decades of experience in legal practice, governance, arbitration and public service.
She served as Attorney-General of Cross River State between 1999 and 2003 and was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2009.
The senior advocate has held several leadership positions, including Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Vice Chairperson of the Nigerian Wing of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (UN CEDAW), and member of the Council of Legal Education.
She has also served on the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission and the Body of Benchers Disciplinary Committee.
