Gender Equality: Four women gain key leadership positions in Transcorp Group

Four women have been appointed to head senior positions in Transcorp Group.

The four women include Owen Omogiafo, Dupe Olusola, Helen Iwuchukwu, and Okaima Ohizua

According to a notice filed by the group to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Owen Omogiafo was appointed as President/GCEO of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, with effect from March 25, 2020. She succeeds Valentine Ozigbo, who is retiring to pursue a career in public service, having served Transcorp for close to a decade.

Dupe Olusola was also appointed as the MD/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, effective from March 25, 2020. She is currently the Group Head, Marketing at United Bank for Africa Plc. She has over 21 years of corporate experience including MD/CEO of Teragro Juice Concentrate Plant. She holds a BA in Economics from the University of Leicester and a Masters in Development Economics from the University of Kent.

The Board of Transcorp Hotels Plc approved the appointment of Helen Iwuchukwu as an Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the company. She is currently the Group Company Secretary of Transcorp Plc. She holds an LL. B. (Hons) degree in Law and was enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1993 (BL Hons) and holds a Master of Laws degree (LL. M.) from Middlesex University Business School, London.

The Board of Transcorp Power Ltd also approved the appointment of Okaima Ohizua as Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of Transcorp Power Ltd. She is currently Executive Director, Customer Services at Transcorp Hotels Plc. She has over 25 years of working experience and has been key to the continued service transformation at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, since joining the Board and Management in 2013.

In addition, Christopher Ezeafulukwe was made MD/CEO of Transcorp Power Plant, Ughelli, prior to now, he was the Executive Director, Business Development & Legal, Transcorp Plc. He has over 21 years' experience in business development, legal advisory, and company secretarial roles.

Furthermore, Chike Anikwe was appointed as the acting Company Secretary for Transcorp Plc and Transcorp Hotels after Helen Iwuchukwu's decision to step down from that position.

The Board of Transcorp Plc also named Valentine Ozigbo as a Non-Executive Director, following his resignation as MD/CEO of Transcorp Plc.

Speaking on these appointments, the Chairman, Transcorp Group and Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, expressed his confidence that the newly appointed chief executives and non-executive directors will further, strengthen Transcorp's mission of improving lives across Nigeria.

"These appointments demonstrate our commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding success. We have a deep pool of highly qualified and dedicated employees, who can be challenged with more responsibility in attaining our corporate vision. We remain committed to diversity and inclusion; are delighted by the depth and quality of experience that this leadership team brings to our group. These appointments further indicate our internal succession capacity and strong corporate governance practices," he stated.

Transcorp is Nigeria's leading listed industrial holding company, whose interests include power, hospitality and significant upstream oil and gas assets.