Board of Directors - Red Star Express Plc

Chairman
Barau, Suleiman (OON, fcib, fnim)

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
Obabori, Olusola Peter (Ph.D, fnimn, M.IoD)

Non-Executive Director
Koguna, Lawan Sulaiman

Executive Director, Sales and Marketing
Ukwat, Enobong Victor (fnim, M.IoD)

Executive Director, Finance and Administration
Babura, Badamasi Auwalu (FCA, M.IoD)

Company Secretary and Head, Corporate Resources
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

Obabori, Olusola Peter (Ph.D, fnimn, M.IoD)

Sola Obabori is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

An astute management professional with long and outstanding Sales and Marketing experience with an Accounting and Finance background. He has traversed different spheres and made landmark contributions in the Logistics and Supply Chain industry in Nigeria.

He joined the services of the organization in 1999 and had served in various management positions; including General Manager/Chief Operating Officer of Red Star Logistics Limited, a subsidiary of Red Star Express Plc before his current responsibility covering Nigeria and three Francophone West African countries.

Sola holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Hons) in Accounting and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Business Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, among others. He is an alumnus of several advanced management and leadership programmes from world-class institutions including -The School of Business Leadership of the University of South Africa, McGill Executive Institute, Canada; Lagos Business School, Nigeria; Harvard Business School, USA; Haas Business School of the University of California, Berkeley, USA; The University of Westminster, United Kingdom and FedEx Purple Academy, Belgium where he excelled as the Purple Star Award Winner in 2006.

He is a member of the 2016 FedEx GSP 3 Class, Memphis, USA; a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, a Fellow of the Institute of Business Development and a Member of the Institute of Directors (M.IoD) of Nigeria.

Non-Executive Director

Bichi, Umar Sule

Sule Umar Bichi is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University, Kano. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and Institute of Directors of Nigeria (FIoD). He also holds a Masters Degree (M.Sc.) in Economics from the Lagos State University and is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School..

Prior to his appointment as Non Executive director, he was Managing Director/CEO of Red Star Express Plc. for nine (9) years, until expiration of his contracts in August 2016.

Mr. Bichi is currently Managing Director of Madinka Ventures Limited and Chairman Audit and Risk Committee of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria.

Non-Executive Director

Dangana, Aminu

Aminu Dangana is a professional management consultant and financial adviser.

A graduate of Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; a holder of Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Bayero University, Kano; an Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers; Member, Nigeria Institute of Management; Member, Nigerian Economic Society; Member, Institute of Investment Management & Research; Member Commodity Brokers Association of Nigeria, among others and has served in various capacities within the private and public sectors.

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

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.

Executive Director, Sales and Marketing

Ukwat, Enobong Victor (fnim, M.IoD)

Victor Ukwat is the Executive Director, Sales and Marketing at Red Star Express Plc, a Licensee of Federal Express Corporation (FedEx). Red Star Express Plc is one of Nigeria’s foremost logistics solutions providers.

A resourceful professional with a strong expertise in revenue expansion and cost reduction; through building of competitive corporate brands. He is passionate about excellent service delivery, building and motivating dynamic teams and creating revenue opportunities.

Victor joined Red Star Express in 1997 and has, over the years, worked in various capacities. He has previously led teams in Business Development, Key Accounts, National Sales, Operations, Marketing and Corporate Communication.

Victor Ukwat holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science (B.Sc) from the University of Calabar, a Masters in Science from the University of Ibadan and a Masters in Business Administration from the Lagos Business School.

He is an alumnus of Senior Entrepreneurship, Management and Leadership Programmes from top global institutions, including FedEx Purple Academy (Brussels, Belgium), IESE Business School (Spain), Harvard Business School (USA), Columbia Business School (New York, USA), University of Wisconsin (USA), Schulich Business School (Toronto, Canada) and most recently SAID Business School (Oxford, England).

He is also a member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria (IOD).

Executive Director, Finance and Administration

Babura, Badamasi Auwalu (FCA, M.IoD)

Auwalu Badamasi Babura is the Executive Director, Finance, and Administration 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 result. Reliable Business Executive with unique competencies in all aspect of finance and accounting, including optimal working capital management.

Auwalu joined Red Star Express in 1994 and has served in various capacities, leading teams in Internal Control and Processes, Credit management, Treasury and Accounts.

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) and an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School Senior Management Program.

Company Secretary and Head, Corporate Resources

Akpomuka, Ndidi Frances

Frances Ndidi Akpomuka is the Company Secretary and Head, Corporate Resources for the group.

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.

Prior to joining Red Star Express in 2006 as Legal Adviser and subsequent appointment as Company Secretary in 2007, she was 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 amongst others.

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