Sterling Bank Plc has announced the retirement of Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji and the resignation of Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim from the Board of the bank. This was disclosed through a notice filed with the Exchange and signed by the company’s secretary and chief legal counsel, Temitayo Adegoke.
Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji retired as an Independent Non-Executive Director after serving the board for 8 years while Mr. Emmanuel resigned as the Executive Director, Institutional Banking Directorate.
Dr. (Mrs.) Omolara Akanji has been on the Board of Directors at Sterling Bank since her appointment in 2014. Prior to her appointment, her early career started with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1978 as an Assistant Economist.
She rose through the ranks and retired in December 2007 as Director, Trade and Exchange Department. She also served as a Consultant to the CBN between 2008 and 2011.
She holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan, an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Reading, a Diploma in Statistics from the University of Kent, Mathematical Institute, and a PhD. Finance from the European-American University, Commonwealth of Dominica.
Before his appointment, Mr. Emefienim has over 25 years experience in the Nigerian banking industry, having worked in various middle and senior management roles across Operations, Treasury and Sales.
He commenced his banking career with Oceanic Bank Plc (now Ecobank Nigeria) where he rose to the position of Head, Credit & Marketing before joining United Bank for Africa Plc as manager, Commercial Banking.
Emefienim also worked in Savannah Bank Plc and FSB International Bank Plc (now Fidelity Bank Plc) over a period of six years before joining Equitorial Trust Bank in 2006. Following the acquisition of Equitorial Trust Bank and its consolidation into Sterling Bank in 2011, he assumed the position of Regional Business Executive covering the South-South 2 Region, a role in which he excelled leading to the expansion of his responsibilities to cover the entire South-South & Mid-west Regions in 2017.
In the disclosure released by the bank, the bank thanked both board members for their meritorious service and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.