By Ken Afor
Asue Ighodalo, Chair, Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries Plc, will step down from his role, effective December 31, 2023.
Mr. Ighodalo, who is believed to be the favoured candidate of Governor Godwin Obaseki is set to kick off his campaign for the governorship of Edo State under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This is in anticipation of his upcoming political endeavour in the state.
In an official submission to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the organization has officially acknowledged Mr. Ighodalo’s resignation and provided details of a well-structured transition strategy.
Uaboi Agbebaku, the Secretary of Nigerian Breweries, said that Mr. Ighodalo’s choice to engage in public service has led to his decision to step down from the board.
Sijbe Hiemstra, who has served as the director for the longest period, will assume the role of interim Chairman from January 1, 2024.
The company further stated that during this period, the board will focus on selecting a permanent successor.
“Mr. Ighodalo informed the board of his decision to offer himself for public service,” said Mr. Agbebaku.
“Therefore, he will resign from the board and as Chairman on December 31, 2023, to dedicate his full attention to this new endeavour.”
Mr. Hiemstra had previously been a member of Nigerian Breweries’ governance and statutory audit committees. He became a part of the board in August 2011.
Additionally, the company has made it known that Ndidi Nwuneli, an independent non-executive director, has chosen to resign from her position.
Mr Ighodalo’s announcement comes nearly two weeks after the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, announced his intention to join the governorship race on the platform of the PDP.
Meanwhile, Obaseki while commenting on Shaibu’s possibility of clinching the party’s ticket, said only the PDP would decide his fate ahead of the September election in 2024.
