HIHGLIFE
Human expectations are not easy to follow, the same with our ambitions. At the end of the day, the ones that come on top are the ones that see the farthest. This is one of the takeaways from the recent development in the United Bank for Africa (UBA) when the outstanding banking institution lost one of its best brains and strategists to Taiwo Afolabi and his SIFAX Group.
The changeover took some folks by storm as they did not expect UBA’s Deputy Managing Director (DMD), Ayoku Liadi, to find greener pastures in the courtyard of the prestigious businessman, founder, and SIFAX Chairman, Afolabi. Based on the reports, Liadi will be resuming as the Group Managing Director of Sky Capital and Financial Allied International, the financial subsidiary of SIFAX Group.
Liadi’s decision to continue the corporate marathon wearing Afolabi’s colours has been construed as a big loss for UBA. This is because the former DMD was one of the brightest stars in UBA Nigeria, looking after about 500 branches of the bank nationwide. Besides this, he used to be hailed as among the top five most resourceful managers in the bank. None of these recognitions is surprising considering Liadi’s stellar career profile.
For those who remember the brilliant man, he was a notable figure in Sierra Leone around 2013, maintaining Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Sierra Leone, as its MD/CEO. He pushed GTB Sierra Leone onto the frontiers of profitable banking before he became a member of the UBA family. Now, he is a member of the SIFAX Group.
There is no doubt that Afolabi is out to intimidate his peers with a renewed march of progress. Not so long ago, he inaugurated the multi-billion-Naira five-star Marriott Hotel, claiming the top spot among hospitality centres in West Africa. Reports indicated that he overthrew Jim Ovia, the Chairman of Zenith Bank when he did that. Now, it is UBA’s turn to stare at Afolabi in the distance.
Overall, as Liadi takes over Sky Capital Group and manages all its subsidiaries and affiliates in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Gambia, one can hear Afolabi cackling in the background. Another big achievement, another big step forward for him and his SIFAX Group.
