Board of Directors - Red Star Express Plc

Chairman
Barau, Suleiman (OON, fcib, fnim)

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
Babura, Badamasi Auwalu (FCA)

Group Executive Director, Sales and Marketing
Ejekam, Uche Charles

Non-Executive Director
Koguna, Lawan Sulaiman

Non-Executive Director
Peter Surulere Aletor

Head Group, Operations / Company Secretary
Akpomuka, Ndidi Frances

Chairman

Barau, Suleiman (OON, fcib, fnim)

Suleiman Barau (OON, FCIB, FNIM) took over as Chairman from Dr Mohammed Koguna who retired in October 2018, having served in the same capacity for 26 years.

He was a distinguished Public Servant and a Merchant, Commercial and Central Banker. His over 18 years sojourn as a Public Servant was initially as a Principal Economist with the Nigerian Mining Corporation and subsequently with the Central Bank of Nigeria, as a Special Adviser to the Governor during which time he briefly acted as Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, and then as a two term Deputy Governor before he retired in December 2017.

Before working at the CBN, he had over 17 years banking experience cutting across four banks namely Continental (formerly Chase) Merchant Bank, Bank of the North, UBA and FSB International Bank. He was educated at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Jos and University of Bradford where he acquired Bsc, MSc, post experience and graduate certificates in Economics, Investment Analysis and Management Research.

He attended over 3 dozen courses in major institutions such as Euromoney, Insead, IMD, Wharton, Harvard, Kellogg and Stanford Universities. He is an Alumnus of Harvard Kennedy and IMD Business Schools. He loves Soccer, Car Racing, Railways and Geography.

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer

Babura, Badamasi Auwalu (FCA)

Auwalu Badamasi Babura is the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Red Star Express Plc, a listing member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

An accomplished, versatile, innovative, highly motivated, and result-oriented financial expert, with proven track records of managing organizational resources and delivering sustainable financial results. Reliable Business Executive with unique competencies in Finance and Customer management.

Auwalu joined Red Star Express in 1994 and has served in various capacities, leading teams in Finance, Internal Control and Processes Management, Credit Management, and Administration.

Auwalu holds a first Degree in Accounting (B.Sc.) from Bayero University Kano, an MBA in Business Administration (MBA) from the Lagos State University, and a Mini MBA from London School of Business and Finance.

He has attended Senior training programs cutting across Controls, Planning, and Leadership amongst others both locally and abroad.

He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD). He is also an alumnus of Lagos Business School and The London School of Economics.

Group Executive Director, Sales and Marketing

Ejekam, Uche Charles

Charles Uche Ejekam is a consummate professional with enviable skills in sales and business development, marketing and corporate communications, air express delivery, logistics and supply chain, learning and human capital development and cost management initiatives.

Prior to his appointment as Group Executive Director for Sales & Marketing for Red Star Express Plc. effective April 1 2022, he was the Divisional Managing Director of Red Star Logistics; a subsidiary of Red Star Express Plc. from April 2019 till date and previously served as the Divisional Managing Director of Red Star Express; also a subsidiary of Red Star Express Plc. from April 2016 to March 2019.

Charles commenced his working career in Red Star Express as a Commercial Executive in year 2000, and has at various points handled responsibilities in Territorial Management, Key Accounts Management, Marketing, Brand & Public Relations, and Regional Management roles in Lagos and Abuja. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) and a Masters Degree in Public & International Affairs from the University of Lagos.

As part of his corporate development, Charles has at various times attended Trainings within and outside Nigeria in the areas of Leadership, Strategy, Sales & Marketing, Train the Trainer and Key Account Management. Specific programmes include the Lagos Business School Advanced Management Programme (AMP30) and the International module in IESE Business School (Spain).

Charles’ professional memberships include the 2016 FedEx GSP 3 class, Memphis, USA; the Institute of Directors (IOD); Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA); Fellow of the Courier and Logistics Management Institute (CLMI); Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants; Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration; member of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN); member of the International Association of Public Health Logisticians (IAPHL); and an Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

In his leisure time, Charles enjoys running and boxing. He also plays golf at Ikoyi Club where he is a member, and loves spending quality time with family and friends.

Non-Executive Director

Koguna, Lawan Sulaiman

Mr. Koguna is a graduate of Economics from the Eastern Mediterranean University Cyprus and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance and Management from Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK. He is an experienced Insurance professional and a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute UK.

He was a Council member of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON). He is the Executive Director, Marketing, Koguna Babura Insurance Brokers Limited. He is also Founder/Director e-Insurance Solutions Centre Limited, e-Training Institute and e-Island Solutions Limited.

Non-Executive Director

Peter Surulere Aletor

Peter Surulere Aletor is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, an Accountant by training and an alumni of the Executive Programmes of the Lagos Business School and the Harvard Business School. He has over 25 years’ experience in Stockbroking, Asset Management and Deal Structuring.

He was a pioneer staff of Capital Express Securities Limited and rose to become its Managing Director. He is currently the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Apel Asset Limited.

Non-Executive Director

Sideso, Chioma

Chioma Sideso is a proven visionary and strategic business leader. She holds an LL.B from the University of Kent, Canterbury, MBA in Business Administration, and has attended various local and international trainings.

She commenced her professional career with Marks and Spencer Plc, UK between Jan 1999 – Jan 2001. She joined Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group, UK in Jan 2001 and was there till April 2002, before moving to Barclay’s Bank, UK from April 2002 to Nov 2003. She assumed the position of President ADIC Insurance Ltd in November 2006. She also served as Managing Director of NSIA Insurance Ltd.

Non-Executive Director

Ndu, Chukwuemeka

Chukwuemeka Ndu is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants and an alumni of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Chief Executive’s Programme of the Lagos Business School and the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto Canada. Mr Ndu has well over 35years’ experience in Accounting, Money Market and Project Finance, Audit, Tax and Consulting.

Mr Ndu holds various Directorial offices with Leasafric Limited Ghana Epic International, (FZE) UAE, BW Offshore Nigeria Limited, Petra Services Limited, Imperial Homes Mortgage Limited and he is presently the Vice Chairman of Cordros Capital Limited and C&I Leasing Plc.

Head Group, Operations / Company Secretary

Akpomuka, Ndidi Frances

As the Head, Group Operations and Company Secretary at Red Star Express, Frances and her team provide advice and counsel on all issues relevant to the registry business, including marketing, products, policy and technology service, and also tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operational functions of the business.

Prior to joining Red Star Express in 2006 as a Legal Adviser and subsequent appointment as Company Secretary in 2007, she was a Legal Officer with Assurance Bank Nigeria Limited for three (3) years. She has attended various training programs on Banking Operations, Fraud and Forgeries, Corporate Governance, Company Direction, and Board Effectiveness among others.

Since joining Red Star Express, Frances has drafted and negotiated the company’s key agreements and has provided strategic legal advice to executive leadership on all matters pertaining to the registry business, and most recently served as the Head, Corporate Resources.

She graduated with a Law Degree in 1998 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000. She began her professional career as an Associate with the Law Firm of Yemi Peters & Associates, where she garnered experience in Litigation, Legal Drafting, Negotiation, Mediation and Conciliation, as well as Corporate and Commercial Law Practice.

She is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association as well as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria.