Jim Ovia

GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Thursday congratulated frontline businessman, philanthropist and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia on his AAI 2017 Business Leader Award.

In a statement in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa extolled the leadership qualities and astute contributions of Mr Ovia to the economic development of Nigeria in general and Delta State in particular.

Describing Jim Ovia as an illustrious son of the State, he noted that Mr. Ovia has contributed immensely to the economic development of the country. He said: “Mr Ovia is an illustrious son of Delta State in whom we are well pleased. His astute contributions to the development of the banking industry in Nigeria is laudable and we thank him for his efforts in pioneering the digitalization of banking services in Nigeria which no doubt made Zenith Bank Plc a leader and pacesetter in the industry today”.

“As a distinguished Deltan, Mr Ovia has had a remarkable and enviable career in banking as pioneer Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc before emerging as the Chairman of the Bank. We are proud of his achievements in managing the Bank to become the largest bank in Nigeria”.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate Mr Jim Ovia on his award as AAI 2017 Business Leader and as a leading entrepreneur in Africa by the African-American Institute (AAI).”

Mr Ovia, the founding Group Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria’s largest bank, was honoured on Tuesday night, along with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana (National Achievement); Nicole Amarteifio (Leadership in African Media and Arts); and Bozoma Saint-John, Chief Brand Officer, UBER (Innovation & Technology) as Africa’s best at a ceremony held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the United States.

He was recognised for impacting hugely on enterprise and human resource development on the continent.