By Elizabeth Chukwuma
Barely three months of commencement of operations as one of the nation’s Commercial Banks, following the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, under the Leadership of Olayemi Michael Cardoso, and opening one of its first commercial banking branch at Kofo Abayomi , Victoria Island, Lagos, the nation’s Commercial nerve centre, Phillips Oduoza, led the Board of the Bank, appears to have moved to strengthen its operations to be in the league of United Bank For Africa,, UBA, plc, Pan African Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank, Zenith , Access and First Bank unlimited , amongst others.
The NOVA Bank, Board, may have been encouraged to strengthen the bank operations based on the recent remarks of Oduoza, the Chairman of being ’’customer focused and delivering exceptional services while introducing the innovative ‘’PHYGITAL’’ model , described as a trade mark of NOVA.
Given the Board’s determination to ensure that the bank continues its tradition of excellence established as a Merchant Bank, this may have informed why it has expanded its services and dedicated to delivering unparalleled banking experience that seamlessly integrates the physical and digital realms.
The Oduoza, led Board of NOVA bank, may have known that Wale Oyedeji, the Managing Director, needed a strong Management team, ‘’to provide convenient and secure banking solutions and elevate the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, as a key economic driver, that they had approved the appointment of David Isiavwe, an experienced banker of 30 years’ in domestic and international banks, as the bank’s Executive Director Operations and Information Technology.
With a Ph.D, in Accounting, the new NOVA Bank, Executive Director, going by his profile, is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, FCA, and fellow Compliance Institute of Nigeria, FCIN. He was said to be a member of other Professional bodies such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional , CISSP, Certified Information Security Manager, CISM, Certified Governance of Enterprise, Information Technology, CGEIT, Certified Information System Auditor, CISA, Certified Data Privacy Solution Engineer, CDPSE, amongst others.
Isiavwe, according to an insider of the NOVA Bank may have prepared himself for the top banking job as he had attended executive programs in some top flight foreign institutions including the North American country of the United States, US, Havard Business School, MIT, and Oxford University, in the United Kingdom. UK.
At present, he is the president and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, BOT, for the Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria, ISSAN, and holds a position on the Governing Council of the Fintech Association of Nigeria. The source confirmed that he is also the chairman of the Statutory Audit Committee of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System plc, NIBSS.
Many believe that the appointment of Isiavwe, as the Executive Director, Operations and Information Technology, of NOVA Bank, underscores the commercial bank focus on digital transformation with his vast experience of playing a crucial role in advancing the Bank’s technology driven digital model.
The NOVA Bank, Board of Directors, may have made the job of Oyedeji, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the national commercial bank, much easier with the appointment Mrs. Chinwe Illoghalu, as Executive Director, Institutional and Commercial Banking.
Like, Isiavwe, the newly appointed Executive Director Operations and Information Technology of NOVA bank, in its innovative journey , following its recent transition to a national commercial bank, Illoghalu, it was gathered has over 30 years of experience in the banking industry and coming into the new bank as the Executive Director for Corporate and commercial banking, which financial analysts had described as ‘’the key business and relationship management engine of the Organization’’.
She was said to have made significant contributions in business and Corporate management in her over 30 years of banking career, with expertise spanning sectors such as energy, corporate , commercial and digital banking, where she was said to have consistently created sustainable value and returns to key stakeholders.
Illogghalu, the new Executive Director,of Institutional and Commercial banking in NOVA Bank, is a fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration, FICA. She was said to have attended Leadership and Executive programs in Oxford Business School, UK, and, Havard Business School, amongst other foreign Institutions.
A NOVA Bank , top Executive, who spoke to The Value News on condition of anonymity, disclosed that Illoghalu , role in the bank will be central ‘’to enhancing the bank’s commercial banking roll out across all key business development engagements’’.
An elated Oduoza, the Bank chairman, who could not hide his feelings had said that the addition of the duo, Isiavwe and Mrs. Illoghalu, into its operations ‘’marks a critical point in constituting the management team that will lead the bank ‘’to its next phase of growth’’.
He was particular, that the expertise of Isiavwe, the bank’s new Executive Director, Operation and Information Technology, will be a key in enhancing the bank’s phygital model while Mrs. Illoghalu’s strong business drive and relationship management coupled with the retail and product engine of the bank will be instrumental in driving the bank’s strategic intent ‘’to become a formidable player in the nation’s banking industry’.
He noted that the duo ‘’deep understanding of digital electronic banking will significantly contribute to the bank’s trademarked phygital which seamlessly combines the best of in-person service and bespoke digital solutions to serve its customers.
He was emphatic that ‘’the two top bank executives will bring their invaluable experience that aligns perfectly with NOVA’s vision to be African’s preferred financial solutions provider’’. He was said to have further stated that the appointment of the duo, will further ‘’ diversify the board and bring about inclusiveness’’.
The NOVA Bank, Management , were said to have continued its expansion and transformation into a national commercial bank to delivering innovative financial services, notwithstanding that the two newly appointed Executive Directors have not fully settled down to make their own inputs.
There is no gain saying the fact that the bank’s phygital model, combining cutting –edge technology with a physical presence , would go a long way in redefining customer experiences and setting the stage for future advancements in the country’s banking landscape.
