Former Zenith Bank chiefs Ovia, Emefiele trace feats to training at UNN
Dual banking wizkids, chairman of Zenith Bank Plc., Mr Jim Ovia, Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Godwin Emefiele, have traced their resilience and observed heights in banking industry to the quality of training they garnered as students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Ovia made the observation while receiving an award of Doctorate Degree of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) at the 47th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka at the weekend.
Whereas Ovia is the current chairman of the bank, having established the bank and served as the group managing director over the years, Dr. Emefiele moved from the position of the bank’s GMD to the CBN few years ago.
Whereas CBN boss noted that UNN impacted on them the knowledge of resources management and industrial creativity, Ovia, revealed that UNN had produced many individuals that had impacted positively on the public and private sectors of Nigeria.
According to him, “The University of Nigeria as a center of excellence, is an institution that has produced industrious individuals in the private as well as public sectors of this country.
“In my role at the helm of one of the leading financial institutions in the country, I have had the privilege of meeting several alumni of this great university.
“The “Lion” appears as a symbol of strength on the university banner. In reality and particularly in the corporate steeple chase, the lions have always devoured their prey and beaten their competitors to the game.
” I’m always lucky to be on their side.
“I can attest that this university is indeed a training ground for capable, committed, and compassionate change agents, having witnessed firsthand, the quality of a product of this institution, in the person of Dr. Godwin Emefiele, who was the Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc., between July, 2010 and May, 2014.
“As the present Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele’s performance and current results arguably puts him as the best Central Bank Governor in the history of Nigeria.
“These performances are no doubt due to the excellent training he received at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.”
Ovia congratulated the new graduates for their sacrifices and the sleepless nights, which he said, had finally paid off.
