Ireti Kingibe Named Chairman Of LEADERSHIP Group...

LEADERSHIP Group has announced a replacement for Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah who made known his decision to step down as chairman last week.

A statement issued by the group managing director, Mr Azubuike Ishiekwene, on behalf of the company’s board named Hajiya Ireti Heebah Kingibe as the new chairman of the group.

The company also announced the appointment of Mrs Zainab Nda-Isaiah as a non-executive director and Mr Nnamdi Samuel as executive director, Leadership Holdings, with a chair on the board of the group.

The statement reads: “Following the decision of Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah to step down as chairman of LEADERSHIP Group with effect from April 3, 2014, the board is pleased to announce Hajiya Ireti Heebah Kingibe as the new chairman.

“An indigene of Kano State, Hajiya Kingibe is coming on board with a wealth of experience spanning over three decades in diverse fields, including her chosen career, civil engineering.

“We believe that at this important point in the company’s history, her resourcefulness and solid personal accomplishments will enhance the value that we deliver to consumers across the group.

“Hajiya Kingibe was born on June 2, 1954. She attended Emotan Preparatory School, Benin City, from where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate in 1966. Thereafter, she proceeded to the prestigious Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, for her secondary education in 1966 but left for the United States where she enrolled at the Washington Irving High School for a high school diploma between 1970 and 1973.

“Hajiya Kingibe later graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, United States, in 1980, becoming one of the very few female engineers in Nigeria at that time.

“At various times, she was quality control engineer of Bradley Precast Concrete Incorporated in Minnesota, USA, as well as roads and highway designer in the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

“On her return to Nigeria, she served at the Nigerian Air Force headquarters in Lagos for her compulsory National Youth Service from 1981 to1982. While there, she participated actively in some projects of the force including the supervision of a water project at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos.

“Upon completion of her NYSC assignment, Hajiya Kingibe worked in the New Nigerian Construction Company, Kaduna, between 1982 and 1985, as planning and project manager where she participated in the planning, construction and contract administration of various projects including the New ABU Teaching Hospital, Shika.

“Hajiya Kingibe not only consulted for engineering companies nationwide and initiated projects for them, she supervised numerous projects between 1985 and 1994, including the New Maiduguri Central Mosque.

“At Kelnic Associates where she is a partner from 1995 till date, Hajiya Kingibe has supervised, managed and constructed many projects across the country for various government agencies including INEC, the defunct PTF and the Nigerian Army.

“A multiple award recipient, frontline philanthropist and outstanding advocate of women empowerment, Hajiya Kingibe has deployed her gifts in the improvement of the society.

“For her part, Mrs Nda-Isaiah is the chief executive officer of BANANA REPUBLIC Restaurant Group, which started as one outlet in 2009 but has grown into three flourishing culinary centres within the Abuja metropolis.

“She was managing assistant at a privately owned company, African Telecommunications Network, and, before that, an administrative assistant at Afri-Projects Consortium. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Jos.

“She is married to Sam, loves to travel and has a gift for conflict resolution.

“Nnamdi Samuel, born November 23, 1979, in Kaduna State, hails from Ikwuano local government area of Abia State. A graduate of Multi-Links Institute, Kaduna, and a student of the University of Abuja and National Open University of Nigeria, he started his working career as an administrative officer with Leadership Confidential in 2003. He was charged with producing, distributing and marketing of the newsletter nationwide.

“When, in 2004, LEADERSHIP was established, he was appointed special assistant to the then chairman. Between 2007 and 2008, he rose through the ranks, serving as acting editor of our online platform and chief of staff to the former chairman, until his promotion to the post of associate director on January 31, 2013, a position he combined with that of chief of staff to the chairman.

“He speaks English, Igbo and Hausa fluently. His hobbies include football, basketball and lawn-tennis.”

--LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS