Ighodalo Quits As NB Board’s Chair To Pursue Politics

Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries Plc, has tendered his resignation from the company’s board to pursue his gubernatorial ambition in Edo State, Nigeria.

Ighodalo’s decision to step down from his role at Nigerian Breweries, one of Nigeria’s foremost breweries, marks the end of his tenure overseeing the affairs of the company, a role he had held for a significant period.

The announcement, made during the company’s board meeting on December 7, 2023, was shared via a notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). The notification also added that Ndidi O. Nwuneli, MFR, an Independent Non-Executive Director, will be leaving her role having completed her nine-year tenure.

In his statement, Ighodalo expressed mixed emotions about his decision, acknowledging it as a painful sacrifice but one necessary for his full devotion to a new cause. He will step down as Chairman and from the Board effective December 31, 2023.

“It is with heartfelt regret that I announce my resignation as Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Breweries Plc, effective December 31, 2023.

“After extensive deliberations, I have decided to offer myself for public service to our dear country. The decision comes with the mixed emotions of a painful sacrifice made to enable my full devotion to the new cause.

“It is my pride to have been part of such a formidable organisation well-positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s ever-changing business environment,” he said.

Following Ighodalo resignation, the NB announced the appointment of Sijbe “Siep” Hiemstra, as the Chairman of the company in an interim capacity, effective January 1, 2024.

Hiemstra, the longest-serving Director, will lead the Board and oversee the process of appointing a new Chairman, the company said.

“The Board is grateful to Asue for his exceptional leadership during his tenure as Chairman. He has guided Nigerian Breweries through challenging times and has left a lasting legacy. We are also thankful to Ndidi for her valuable contributions to the Board,” the Secretary to the Board, Mr Uaboi Agbebaku, said in the NGX notification.

Meanwhile, Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli was also appointed as a Non-Executive Director to fill a vacancy on the Board, effective January 1, 2024. Ojekwe-Onyejeli brings extensive experience in risk management within the financial services industry.

The NB spokesman said, “Ojekwe-Onyejeli brings to the board years of knowledge and experience as a risk manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry, and skilled in enterprise risk management, business planning, internal audit, and analytical skills.

“She currently serves on the boards of Coronation Insurance Plc and Rand Merchant Bank, amongst others.”

LEADERSHIP reports that Ighodalo recently confirmed his intention to seek the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2024 governorship election in Edo State when he addressed his kinsmen in front of his family home in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking through an interpreter, Ighodalo dismissed critics who described him as a ‘Lagos boy’, insisting that he is a true Esan boy and has been involved in efforts to develop Edo State since 2008.

“I have been giving advice since 2008, which is 15 years ago, which means that I came into Edo state, five, six, so many times a year for government business, not to talk about my own business,” he said.

“So, people can say what they like. And this issue of an Edo boy, this issue of a true son of the soil, is in the heart. There are many of our brothers and sisters in the diaspora who are more Edo than many of them that live here. We must all come together to come and develop Edo State, plus the people in ‘mama put’, plus the people in Canada, we come together and develop Edo State.”

(NAN)