Nigeria's elite celebrate Zenith Bank boss for being conferred with Freedom of the City of London

DOZENS of prominent Nigerians gathered in London yesterday for a glitzy dinner bash to celebrate the chairman and founder of Zenith Bank Jim Ovia who was honoured with the prestigious award of the Freedom of the City of London.

In what looked like a gathering of who is who, numerous dignitaries converged on the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane in central London to celebrate who is regarded as the father of modern day Nigerian banking. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, minister Bianca Ojukwu and trade and industry minister Jumoke Oduwole were just a few of the dignitaries present.

Other dignitaries who were president included former governor Peter Obi; the ex-managing director of Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and Oba Abdulwasiu  Abisogun, the Oniru of Iruland. Many of them were in town for the two-day Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit, so used the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

Also in attendance was the local Nigerian community in the UK, with the deputy high commissioner Ambassador Obe Ebeche leading the diplomatic team to the event. Then the UK were led by the Central, Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) chairman Ayo Akinfe, the Nigeria in Diaspora Organisation (Nido) and the former mayor of Southwark Michael Situ.

At the event, numerous speakers praised Chief Ovia as not only a banker, businessman, entrepreneur and investor but also as a philanthropist, who has helped thousands of less privileged people. At the event, vice president Kashim Shettima sent in a message from Abuja on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

Admission to the Freedom of the City of London is an honour bestowed on individuals for their service to the city or for their achievements. President Tinubu described the honour as a fitting recognition for Chief Ovia’s exceptional contributions to business, innovation and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.

President Tinubu said: “This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations. As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise.”,

In his eulogy, Chief Obasanjo said Chief Ovia was one of the quiet advisers he listened to when he was in office. He added that Chief Ovia was the brains behind a lot of policy initiatives the government announced for which the president got the credit.