Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), an Electronic/Electrical engineer and former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has been designated to succeed pioneer chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie on the board.
This was contained in a Notification of Board Changes released by the telecom giant to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Wednesday, July 24, 2019.
In the notice, MTN Nigeria informed the investing public and other stakeholders that following the expiration of the tenure of foundation board and in compliance with applicable codes of Corporate Governance, some board members and Non-Executive Directors are retiring from the Board with effect from 2nd September 2019.
Affected members to retire include chairman, Dr. Pascal Dozie, Vice, Col. Sani Bello (Rtd) and other Non-Executive Directors including Chief Victor Odili, Mallam Ahmed Dasuki, Mr. Babatunde Folawiyo , and Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, MFR.
In his remarks over the vital contributions of the outgoing board members, CEO of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ferdinand Moolman said: “On behalf of MTN Nigeria, I would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to our pioneering Chairman, Pascal Dozie and the outgoing Directors. Our journey over the last 18 years has been incredible, and it would not have been possible without the initial entrepreneurial spirit of our founding directors, and their unfailing and dedicated support for MTN Nigeria’s vision over the years. I could not have asked for a more supportive, knowledgeable and experienced group of advisors.”
Responding on behalf of the outgoing Directors Dr Pascal Dozie said: “In 2001, when I made the first call on the MTN Nigeria network, I don’t think anyone envisaged the pace and scale of growth that we, and the broader telecoms sector would achieve over the next 18 years. It is a unique story that we are immensely proud of.
Business Hilights recalls that Dr Dozie had served as Chairman of MTN Nigeria for all 18 years.
Accordingly, MTN Nigeria is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Ernest Ndukwe as the Chairman Designate of MTN, and the addition of the following directors with effect from 2nd September 2019, with Mr. Michael Onochie Ajukwu, Mr. Rhidwaan Gasant and Mr. Muhammad K. Ahmad, as Independent Non-Executive Directors.
Others Non-Executive Director are Mr. Andrew Alli Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Mr. A.B. Mahmoud, SAN (OON), Mrs. Ifueko Okauru, MFR, Mr. Ralph Mupita, Mr. Paul Norman, Mr. Rob Shuter, and Mr. Karl Toriola.
A statement signed and made available to Business Hilights in Lagos by the Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, quoted the CEO, Mr. Moolman as extending his warm welcome to the incoming Directors, saying “The technology industry is fast -moving, and our next 18 years offer a wealth of new and exciting opportunities as a fully digital operator. Their combination of extensive experience across the worlds of technology, finance, regulatory and policy development and corporate governance offers a hugely synergistic set of skills that will be of great benefit to us as we move into a new phase of growth.”
