Group Executive Committee - Red Star Express Plc

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

Executive Director, Sales and Marketing
Ejekam, Uche Charles

Chief Innovation Officer (CIO)
Preghafi, Tonye Lawrence

Chief Operating Officer, Red Star Freight
Okumagba, Mudiaga

Head Corporate Resources
James-Okoro, Inemesit

Chief Operating Officer, Red Star Logistics
Agbe, Kayode

Head Group, Operations / Company Secretary
Akpomuka, Ndidi Frances

Deputy General Manager/Head, Administration
Koguna, Abdulkadir

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer

Babura, Badamasi Auwalu (FCA)

Auwalu Badamasi Babura is the 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.

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 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.

Chief Innovation Officer (CIO)

Preghafi, Tonye Lawrence

Tonye Preghafi is the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of Red Star Express Plc, driver of all innovative business models and products for customer satisfaction. His previous leadership positions at Red Star Express include Divisional Managing Director of Red Star Support Services and Divisional Managing Director of Red Star Freight, both of which are subsidiaries of Red Star Express Plc.

He is an accomplished C-level/Senior Management Professional, Business Transformation Leader, Learning and Development Consultant and Market Strategy Expert with over two decades of multifaceted experience in all aspects of corporate management, including operations, general administration, learning and development, profit & loss oversight, multi-channel product distribution, information technology, corporate strategy, business development and marketing. He has consistently demonstrated a penchant for superseding corporate goals.

His recent focus is to strengthen the company’s success on the 3Ps – People, Process and Products.

Tonye Preghafi holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Lagos State University, Ojo, and an MBA from the prestigious Business School Netherlands (BSN). He has attended several management and leadership training programmes within and outside Nigeria and has garnered a unique multi-cultural perspective on workforce behavioural patterns.

He is a Member of the Institute of Directors (IOD), a member of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants.

He also currently sits as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Red Star Foundation

Chief Operating Officer, Red Star Freight

Okumagba, Mudiaga

Mudiaga Okumagba is the Chief Operating Officer of Red Star Freight; a subsidiary under Red Star Express Plc.

He is a renowned authority in Sales and Communications; having served in Nigerian Airways (in Corporate Communications) and United Distellers & Vinters as a Sales Executive.

At Red Star Express, Mudiaga has assumed various key roles within the company over the years; which include as a Commercial Coordinator, Key Account Manager, Assistant General Manager (for Red Star Support Services) and the Head of Group Sales at Red Star Express Plc. He has the distinction of managing 3 of the 4 subsidiaries at Red Star Express Plc at different periods (Red Star Freight, Red Star Support Services, & Red Star Agro Trade Services). He was the Chief Operating Officer of Red Star Agro Trade Services, a business platform under Red Star Express Plc, before assuming his current role.

He is highly experienced in different business core areas, especially Negotiation and Pricing, Business Development, Cost Control, Market Penetration and Operations Management. He has a relentless drive for excellence as well as a strong dedication to employee relations.

Mudiaga holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma (formerly known as Bendel State University), and a Masters in Business Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is an Alumnus of the Senior Management Program at the Lagos Business School. He has, at various times, attended Trainings within and outside the country in areas of Leadership, Sales and Marketing, and Key Account Management.

He is also an alumnus of the FedEx GSP 2 Management Development Training, the Bullet Proof Manager Programme by Crestcom as well as the Leadership Institute, Memphis, USA. Mudiaga is also a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration, Nigeria’s national body for credit management.

Head Corporate Resources

James-Okoro, Inemesit

Inemesit James-Okoro is the Head Corporate Resources, responsible for the company’s learning and development, human resources talent management strategy and functions, which include diversity and inclusion, talent acquisition, leadership and organizational development, compensation, benefits, and employee communications.

Inemesit is a multi-lingual international supply chain and operations specialist with over 20 years in the services of the organization. She has served as the Customer Service Manager, Credit Controller, and later as Head of International Operations & West Africa, where she ensured a smooth set-up across the company’s operational base in Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Burkina & Niger.

She holds a Masters of Arts Science and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos. She is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School. She has also undergone several international trainings both within and outside the country, including the FedEx Purple Academy in Brussels and Dubai.

She is also a fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA).

Chief Operating Officer, Red Star Logistics

Agbe, Kayode

As Chief Operating Officer at Red Star Logistics, Kayode is responsible for the overall operations of the company. He brings more than 20 years of experience to Red Star Logistics. His experience and leadership have been focused on developing and delivering business services and solutions, providing outstanding client service, and driving profitable revenue growth.

He is a thorough-bred professional with a track record of producing, presenting, and managing the implementation of innovative business solutions; along with a proven ability to develop people and commercialize all aspects of a business.

Kayode has held several leadership positions across the company including the Deputy General Manager Sales and Operations for Red Star Express, as well as the Chief Operating Officer of RSE Prints and Packaging, a business product of Red Star Express plc.

Having joined Red Star Express in 2000, Kayode has traversed all major regional locations of the company. He has worked in Benin, Warri, Port Harcourt and other major sales and operational locations, helping to drive revenue and growth, Relationship management and winning new businesses. Prior to his current appointment, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of RSE Prints and Packaging; a business platform under Red Star Express Plc.

As Regional Manager of the North, he was responsible for driving growth, revenue, and profit margins for the region. He was later appointed as the pioneer Head of Sales for Red Star Logistics (a subsidiary of Red Star Express) where he was responsible for Sales and Marketing, Project and Performance Management, Strategy and Critical Analysis, and Team Building.

He holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Benin. He is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School. He has also undergone trainings in Leadership Development, Interpersonal Skills, Financial Planning and others.

He is a member of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), a member of the Institute of Cost Management (ICM), and a Fellow of the Courier and Logistics Management Institute (CLMI).

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.

Deputy General Manager/Head, Administration

Koguna, Abdulkadir

Abdulkadir Koguna joined the service of Red Star Express 18 years ago. He managed territories in Lagos before moving to the North to manage regional offices in Kaduna and Kano. He later moved to the Abuja regional office where he coordinated sales and operational activities for the entire northern region.

Abdulkadir is presently the Head, Central Administration, ensuring the growth in the acquisition and administration of the Group Fleet and all the Company’s Facilities. He has ensured smooth operations across the company’s operational offices nationwide.

He holds a degree in Public Administration. He is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School. He has also undergone several international trainings, both within and outside the country; especially on management and leadership training.