Sheikh Takes Over, Sunmonu Bows Out As Julius Berger Chairman

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has sent forth its former chairman, Mutiu Sunmonu, and welcomed his successor, Engr. Goni Sheikh.

The event took place last Tuesday at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, where the company’s managing director, Dr. Peer Lubasch, described it as a truly special occasion to bid farewell to Sunmonu and to welcome Sheikh.

He said the evening marked a rare and momentous event in the history of Julius Berger, adding that since 1970, the company had been privileged to be led by only seven remarkable chairmen.

He described Sunmonu’s nine-year tenure as board chairman as impactful years even as he reeled out some of his major accomplishments of Sunmonu to include: modernisation of board practises, strategic diversification into construction activities outside Nigeria, human capital development, execution of landmark projects such as the Second Niger Bridge, FAMFA Office Tower in Lagos and Hyatt Regency Hotel also in Lagos.

Lubasch said Sunmonu was a listening leader, steering from the background with a high-level approach. His ability to moderate and manage the differing views of the Board without micromanaging the Executive management was key to maintaining harmony and focus. He was a trusted partner to Executive Management, always approachable and always insightful, with a unique ability to offer fresh perspectives and giving guidance through experience, the Managing Director added.

For the new chairman, Lubasch said with Sheikh’s extensive experience in both public and private sectors, and as valued board member of the company since July 2019, Engr Sheikh had earned the deep respect and admiration of the board.

In his speech, Sumonu said the occasion was a demonstration of achievements, adding that, “we really want to show the public that we have very good reasons to celebrate and we are not just celebrating our gigantic achievements in the last 11 years, but we are also celebrating a radically new and most successful future picture that we see ahead of Julius Berger.”

Acknowledging the minister of works, Engr. David Umahi, Sunmonu thanked him for coming to the event.

Sunmonu dispelled any attribution of discord between the minister and Julius Berger, saying “the man is my is friend, so there is no problem between us and Umahi. I think Umahi loves Julius Berger. And my analogy is the relationship between a father and a son, when you love your son so much you want the best from him every time.”

He assured the minister that Goni, a fellow engineer, would work him and the managing director to ensure that the relationship with Umahi, the ministry and the federal government becomes one of the best in the country.