The Management of the African Export-import Bank (Afreximbank) on 10 December held a well- attended a dinner in Cairo to send off retiring members of its Board of Directors.
Franklin Kennedy of Canada was retiring from the Board after serving as a director since 2001. Also retiring was Anastasia Mabi Daniel-Nwaobia who joined the Board in 2014 as a Class “A” director.
Mr. Kennedy’s association with the Bank began some 25 years ago during the pre-establishment phase of the Bank when he was Chief Executive Officer of Equator Bank Plc. (later HSBC Equator Plc.), when he contributed to the consultation work leading to the setting up of the Bank.
Mr. Kennedy (2nd right) with (R-L) Afreximbank’s pioneer President Christopher Edordu, current President, Dr. Benedict Oramah, and immediate past President Jean-Louis Ekra.
He subsequently joined the Board of Directors as an alternate before becoming a substantive director in May 2001 and serving since as a member of the Board Executive Committee.
Mr. Kennedy is a recipient of the Bank’s highly regarded Founders’ Award which is given to institutions and individuals that participated in the formative stages of the Bank through investment of time, intellect and financial or other material resources.
He is credited with playing a major role in ensuring the stable operation of the Bank during a shareholder crisis that affected the Bank from 2004 to 2010, including contributing to the resolution.
Mr. Kennedy also contributed to various initiatives that have helped strengthen the Bank, including the credit system.
Ms. Daniel-Nwaobia, formerly Permanent Secretary in Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance, took over the seat vacated by Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, when his tenure lapsed following the end of his assignment as the Minister of State for Finance of Nigeria.
Ms. Daniel-Nwaobia was not able to attend the sendoff ceremony in person.
Mr. Kennedy (5th right) in group photo with current and former Afreximbank Presidents, Board Members, members of the Bank Management and other guests.