Business

PROFILE: JESSICA AMARACHI OKU BY CHINEDU NSOFOR

Published

5 months ago

July 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

PROFILE: JESSICA AMARACHI OKU

BY
CHINEDU NSOFOR

Jessica Amarachi Oku is an accomplished Senior Treasury and Finance professional with 12 years of distinguished experience in enhancing liquidity, managing debt, optimizing investments, driving process efficiency, and comprehensive financial reporting for multi-million dollar portfolios. Her career is marked by a proven track record of inspiring finance teams to drive value creation, achieve outstanding results, mentorship and coaching talent within organizations.

Educational and Professional Development

Jessica’s academic and professional development journey showcases her commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. In June 2011, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with an impressive Upper Class (4.1 GPA) from the University of Nigeria, an achievement assessed by the World Education Services (WES). Continuing her educational pursuits, she completed a Project Management Training at Astute Trainers Consulting in June 2014, equipping her with essential project management skills. By December 2020, she had obtained an International Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management from the Metropolitan School of Business and Management, UK, further enhancing her strategic planning and management capabilities. Most recently, in October 2021, Jessica attended the Corporate Treasury Management program at the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF), where she honed her skills in advanced treasury operations and financial strategies. She is also a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) and is finalizing her Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at a recognized institution in Canada.

Awards and Recognition

Jessica’s exceptional contributions to her field have been recognized through several prestigious awards. In June 2020, she was honored with an Award for Outstanding Performance, reflecting her exceptional achievements and contributions. Following this, in April 2021, she received the Professional Achievers Award, acknowledging her outstanding performance and dedication to excellence. Additionally, she emerged as a top linked voice in Treasury Management in 2024.

Professional Trajectory

Jessica’s career trajectory is marked by significant roles and achievements in various esteemed organizations. At Guaranty Trust Bank Plc., from 2013 to 2016, Jessica served as a Commercial Banking Account Officer. In this role, she prepared budgets, income statements, and balance sheets. Additionally, she was instrumental in acquiring new customers, managing client relationships, and providing financial advisory services. Her analytical skills and dedication to customer service paved the way for her next position at Coronation Merchant Bank Limited. From 2016 to September 2019, as a Corporate Banking Relationship Manager and Team Lead for FMCG Sector, she drove business development initiatives with the primary aim of building the banks income, prospected new customers, and managed existing client relationships. Jessica also excelled in financial analysis, preparing cash flow forecasts, and overseeing credit management processes.

In September 2019, Jessica transitioned to Seven Up Bottling Company Limited as the Assistant Treasury Manager, a role she held until 2020. Here, she managed the company’s cash and debt portfolio, prepared financial reports, and forecasted cash flow requirements, maintaining vital banking relationships. Due to her exceptional performance, she was promoted to Head of Treasury, a position she held from 2020 to 2023. In this role, she was responsible for strategic cash flow planning, working capital optimization, and liaising with banks and lenders to structure financing solutions. Her financial acumen and impact investing led her to the Women’s Health Coalition of Canada in Alberta, where she currently serves as the Director of Fund Development since 2023. Jessica leads strategic planning and coordination of fund development initiatives and oversees treasury operations.

Conclusion

Jessica Amarachi Oku’s journey in the treasury and finance sector is a testament to her expertise, dedication, and leadership. Her extensive experience, combined with her continuous pursuit of professional development, positions her as a leading figure in the field. Her ability to drive strategic initiatives, manage complex financial operations, and inspire teams underscores her invaluable contributions to every organization she has been a part of.

Business

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

NNPC Debunks Shutdown Rumors, Confirms Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports circulating in certain media outlets claiming that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.

In a statement released by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company clarified that the refinery is fully operational. The statement noted that the facility’s operational status was recently verified by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC during a site inspection.

“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” the statement confirmed, emphasizing that allegations of the refinery’s shutdown are baseless and intended to create panic or artificial scarcity in the fuel market.

NNPC Ltd urged members of the public to disregard such misleading reports, labeling them as the work of those seeking to exploit Nigerians.

The Old Port Harcourt Refinery has been in operation since its re-streaming, and the company remains committed to ensuring stability in the supply of petroleum products across the country.

Business

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

In a show of solidarity, the Committee of Banks in Nigeria has extended a helping hand to victims of the September 2024 floods in Jigawa State. On Thursday, a high-profile delegation led by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Committee and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), visited Dutse, the state capital, to present relief materials to the state government.

The donated items, worth several million Naira, included essential food supplies such as rice and cooking oil, along with mattresses and beverages. Dr. Alawuba highlighted that the gesture aimed to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims and support critical institutions, especially public hospitals, in their efforts to assist those affected.

“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Jigawa State during this difficult time. This donation is our way of expressing empathy and supporting those who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods,” Dr. Alawuba stated.

The delegation included notable banking leaders such as Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank Plc, and Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Plc, among others. Their collective presence underscored the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and national development.

Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing the visit as a rare and commendable act of compassion. He assured the delegation that the relief materials would be judiciously distributed to the intended beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding lives and communities.

The Committee of Banks also reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigerians during emergencies, drawing attention to previous interventions, including relief efforts during the 2011 and 2013 floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and security initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

This humanitarian gesture reflects the collective resolve of Nigeria’s financial institutions to foster social and economic growth, making a meaningful impact in times of need.

Bank

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Polaris Bank has once again cemented its position as a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by winning the prestigious Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility Awards (SERAS), Africa’s foremost recognition for impactful community and sustainability initiatives.

The bank was honored at the 18th edition of the SERAS Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, for its unwavering dedication to sustainable development and critical community interventions across Nigeria. The organizers commended Polaris Bank for its consistent efforts to improve lives and foster growth in underserved areas.

The SERAS Awards, often regarded as the gold standard in sustainability and CSR, celebrate organizations that drive innovation and create lasting societal and environmental benefits. Polaris Bank stood out this year for its extensive portfolio of impactful projects, earning the “Best in Rural Population Integration” award.

Some of the bank’s notable initiatives include:

Sponsoring the planting of 2,000 economic trees in communities like Ajingi, Kano State.
Renovating the Ibeju-Lekki Skill Acquisition Centre and donating essential equipment.
Installing boreholes in underserved rural areas to provide clean water access.
Supporting over 15,000 indigent students in public schools with educational resources, including uniforms, sandals, and books.
Providing free breast cancer screenings to 20,000 women over a decade and supporting survivors through retreats.
Establishing hospitals and rehabilitation centers for victims of sexual violence and vocational centers for women.
Donating ICT labs to skill acquisition centers and promoting financial literacy among students.
Organizing medical outreach programs and aiding Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
These initiatives have not only improved living conditions but also reduced rural-to-urban migration by making communities more self-reliant and livable.

Rebuilding Community Resilience
Polaris Bank recently demonstrated its commitment to resilience by rebuilding its Sagamu branch, which was destroyed during the cash crunch riots following the Naira redesign policy. The bank fully reconstructed and re-equipped the branch, restoring critical banking services and supporting economic recovery in the community.

Commitment to Sustainability
Speaking on the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director, Kayode Lawal, emphasized the institution’s dedication to sustainability. “This recognition underscores our deliberate efforts to drive impactful socio-economic interventions and address the effects of climate change on our environment, economy, and people,” he said.

Lawal reiterated that for Polaris Bank, sustainability is not just a destination but a continuous journey of creating positive change.

Celebrating Africa’s Sustainability Leaders
The SERAS Awards brought together policymakers, business leaders, and global sustainability experts to celebrate organizations shaping Africa’s future through innovative solutions. Attendees used the event to connect with like-minded professionals and reaffirm a shared vision of lasting positive change across the continent.

As a trailblazer in sustainability and CSR, Polaris Bank remains steadfast in its mission to uplift communities, foster economic growth, and champion solutions to pressing societal challenges.