Outgoing UBA GMD, Phillips Oduoza, honoured at book launch

Captains of industry and leading voices of Nigerian society witnessed the launch of a book in honour of the outgoing Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa Plc, Phillips Oduoza, in Lagos on Wednesday.
The book, titled: “Dynamics of the Nigerian Financial System,” edited by Prof. Michael Ogbeide, is a compilation of essays on the Nigerian financial system in honour of Oduoza, who retires at the end of July, having completed his two terms of three years each at the helm of the pan-African financial institution.
Speaking during the occasion, the Chairman of Best Foods Limited, who was the chairman of the book launch, Emmanuel Ijewere, said Oduoza is worth celebrating because “he has proven himself to be a worthy banker, an authority in the banking industry and an administrator who has traversed the banking and financial landscape without blemish.
“A special brand dedicated to excel.”
The Chairman of UBA Plc, Tony Elumelu, commended Oduoza for sustaining the growth trajectory of the Bank in the last six years.
Elumelu said: “Oduoza is a man with a very cerebral mind, very diligent, loyal and astute.
“A man retiring in two days, who still works like he just resumed.
“During the period we worked together at UBA, he was a wonderful, big brother.
“A man who loves and encourages progress and a man who always works for the best of everything.”
Elumelu said the performance of UBA Plc today, both financial and brand management, are all attributable to Oduoza and the team he worked with.
Dr. Alex Otti, former CEO of Diamond Bank Plc, praised Oduoza for his extraordinary talent and management skills and leaving the banking industry with his integrity intact.
Otti urged Oduoza to ensure that he puts his wealth of experience in the banking industry to the benefit of the country.
Also speaking, Ogbeide, the Editor of the book and a renowned academician from the University of Lagos, said the book is a worthy testimony of Oduoza’s sterling contributions to an industry whose zenith he reached by scoring many firsts.
Jumai Oduoza, the wife Oduoza, put together the book launch to honour her husband’s over two decades sojourn in the African banking industry.
Reviewing the book, Prof. Awolabi Kuye said the book is a metaphor for excellence and recommended reading and studying of the book to students and all those interested in the Nigerian financial industry.
Oduoza, who has been the Group Managing Director and CEO of pan-African banking group, United Bank for Africa Plc, since August 2010. officially retires from the bank on July 31 after successfully completing two terms of three years each.
He will be succeeded by Kennedy Uzoka, who has been the Deputy Managing Director, working closely with Oduoza, in the last six years.
UBA said the smooth transition process is a testimony to the strength of the bank’s succession planning model.