NMRC Appoints Board’s Chairman, Independent Directors

The Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) has appointed four independent Directors to serve on its Board, in line with its commitment to adopting international best practices in corporate governance.

Those appointed include Professor Charles Okeahalam, who will also serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors; Mr Charles Adeyemi Candide-Johnson (SAN); Mrs Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman and Mrs. Anino Emuwa.

Dr. Charles C. Okeahalam holds a DSc. Degree in Financial Economics of the University Exeter (UK) and a PhD in Economics (Econometrics) of Queen Mary College, University of London. He co-founded AGH Capital, an investment holding company with interest in private equity, mining, marine equipment, property and corporate finance in 2001 and has been the Managing Director/ CEO of the Firm since 2002.

Charles Okeahalam has quality strategic and operational experience in banking, equity and bond markets, fund management and infrastructure finance. He has served as an advisor to a number of Central Banks and government ministries in several Sub-Sahara African countries. He has also advised the World Bank and the United Nations in different capacities. He brings to NMRC substantial experience in Risk management acquired while serving in quality institutions and establishment.

Professor has won several awards and distinctions including Houblon-Norman Senior Fellow of the Bank of England. He has been serving as a Director and Chairman of the Board Audit and Finance Committee of SEPLAT Petroleum Company.

Mr. Charles Adeyemi Candide-Johnson (SAN, FCI Arb) is Senior Partner at Strachan Partners, a leading commercial law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria and substantial practice across the nation. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in July, 1984 and in the same year received his LLM Degree from the University of London. He was conferred with the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2003.

Between 1984 and 1990, he was Counsel in the leading chambers of Job B. Majiyagbe SAN, in Kano, Nigeria. In 1990, he moved to Lagos to establish the firm’s practice, and in 1994, led the founding of Strachan Partners.

Mr. Candide-Johnson has authored several scholarly papers and leading textbooks on arbitration in Nigeria. He has acted either as counsel or as arbitrator in several domestic and international commercial arbitrations in the maritime, petroleum and construction industries. He has also made presentations on arbitration in Nigeria in several international fora. He brings to NMRC significant experience in Corporate governance practices.

Ms. Anino Emuwa is an international management consultant with expertise in small business finance and entrepreneurship. With over 20 years’ experience in business consulting, commercial banking, and research in Africa and Europe, Anino Emuwa currently serves as a member of the Institute of Directors, UK and the Women Professional Network Group, France.

Her Corporate Banking experience includes membership of Banks’ Credit Committees and branch management in Nigeria. This is complemented by diverse experience gained from running consultancy business in several countries across Africa and Europe. Ms. Anino holds a B.Sc. Honours degree in Monetary Economics of the London School of Economics & Political Science, an MBA from Cranfield School of Management and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in in Business Administration from Nottingham Business School, UK.

Anino Emuwa serves as Director of several small businesses and speaks both English and French fluently.

Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman is a professional architect with over 30 years’ post-qualification experience. She obtained her B.A in Architecture & Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota, USA in 1983. In 1987, she obtained her M.Sc (Architecture) from the University College, London. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Filmo Group of Companies, a position she has held since 1994.

In her capacity as the CEO of Filmo Group, she oversees the Group’s Property Development, Real Estate and Facilities Management interests. Through its subsidiaries, the Group has successfully designed and constructed residential houses, hotels and commercial buildings across Nigeria, and especially in Lagos and Abuja.

Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman has served as Board member of various companies across the financial services, manufacturing and oil & gas industries in Nigeria. She has also served as a member of the Governing Council of the Lagos State University, and a Trustee of the Child Life Line, a Non-Governmental Organisation.

She has also served as member, panellist and chairperson of a number of committees, panels, task forces and working groups in Nigeria and beyond. Some of these include: The Insurance Sector Reform Committee of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (Member); the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (Member); and Harvard Business School, Africa Business Conference on Real Estate (Panelist) to mention a few.