Ovia Hails Emefiele, Says He’s Best CBN Governor In History

Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, has described Godwin Emefiele as the best Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor in the history of Nigeria.

Ovia said this while accepting a honorary degree of doctor of business administration at the 47th convocation of the University of Nigeria (UNN).

Emefiele has been Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria since June 3, 2014. Prior to his joining the CBN, he spent over 26 years in commercial banking culminating in his tenure as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank PLC.

The CBN governor holds a B.Sc. degree in Finance 1984 and an MBA Degree in Finance in 1986, both from the UNN.

Ovia is also an alumni of the UNN.

“As the present governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele’s performance and current results arguably puts him as the best central bank governor in the history of Nigeria,” Ovia said.

“These performances are no doubt due to the excellent training he received at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

“I can attest that this university is indeed a training ground for capable, committed, and compassionate change agents, having witnessed firsthand, the quality of a product of this institution, in the person of Dr. Godwin Emefiele, who was the chief executive officer and group managing director of Zenith Bank Plc., between July, 2010 and May, 2014. During which time the bank witnessed exponential growth and phenomenal profitability.

“I am truly honored and humbled to accept this honorary doctoral degree from the great den of the lions – the University of Nigeria, Nsukka – on this auspicious occasion of your 47th convocation ceremony. In this regard, I sincerely thank the vice chancellor, the council and the senate of this great and noble institution for bestowing on me this honorary doctoral degree of business administration.”

Ovia said alumni of the university always proven their worth in their respective paths.

“In reality and particularly in the corporate steeple chase, the lions have always devoured their prey and beaten their competitors to the game. I’m always lucky to be on their side.”