The Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, has been appointed as the President of the France Nigeria Business Council, FNBC, by the President of the France, Mr. Emmanuel Macron.
The formal appointment was made at the Choose France Summit 2024, held on Monday, in France.
The France Nigeria Business Council stands as a pivotal coalition of Nigerian private sector business leaders, committed to enhancing bilateral relations between Nigeria and France. Its core objectives revolve around the facilitation of trade, investments, infrastructural development, job creation, and cultural integration between the two nations.
Since its establishment in June 2021 under the auspices of President Emmanuel Macron, FNBC has diligently utilised its member network to champion investments across key business sectors, fostering cultural understanding and driving economic growth between Nigeria and France. Notably, it has catalysed Nigerian business ventures into investment opportunities within France.
Comprising 13 distinguished members, the Council boasts prominent figures including Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as President, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Gilbert Chagoury, Mike Adenuga, Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, and John Coumantaros. Additionally, Kola Karim, Leo Stan Ekeh, Daisy Danjuma, Gbenga Agboola, and Jean Haas serve as integral members, with Jean Haas holding the position of Secretary.
Aig-Imoukhuede’s appointment follows the passing of Herbert Wigwe, the Council’s former President last February.
The Choose France Summit is an annual gathering that convenes business magnates, investors, and governmental dignitaries to explore investment prospects within France. The highlight of the Summit was the Presidential Dinner, characterised by high-level engagements and mutual commitments between participating parties.
Meanwhile, Access Holdings has vested 23.8 million units of its shares on some of its senior executives.
This is in line with the disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Exchange Limited. Access Holdings announced that it awarded the ordinary shares to some of its senior executives and executives of Access Bank, its flagship subsidiary, in pursuant of the terms of its shareholders approved Employees Performance Share Plan.
Bolaji Agbede, the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Roosevelt Ogbonna, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, and six others were vested with 23,883,790 units of the Group’s shares, worth a combined N427.13 million.
Notices to this effect have been duly filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
According to the filings, Ogbonna got the highest amount of shares totaling 12,345,679 units and worth N220.37 million, having been traded at N17.85 per share, while Agbede was vested with 2,216,992 units of shares, valued at N39.795 million.
Other directors, who had shares vested on them include Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries, Access Bank, with 1,234,568 worth N22.16 million; Iyabo Soji-Okusanya, Executive Director, Commercial and Investment Banking Division, Access Bank, with 1,691,308 at N17.95 per share. Her vested shares are valued at N30.36 million, and Chizoma Okoli, Access Bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Retail South, who got 1,728,395 units valued at N30.85 million.
Dr. Gregory Jobome, Executive Director, Risk Management, and Hadiza Ambursa, Executive Director, Commercial Banking, were each vested with 1,728,395 valued at N30.85m and N31.02m respectively. Access Holdings’ Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, was vested with 1,210,058 units of the Group’s shares worth N21.72m.
The shares were vested on May 3rd and May 6th. The vesting of the shares is not a purchase or sale transaction in the context of the Exchange’s Rules.
