The managing director/chief executive officer of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc., Idris Yakubu has lauded the certification of seven current and past members of the Board of the Company by the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS).
Yakubu while describing the certification as highly remarkable, noted that it is a confirmation of the high corporate governance principles on which the operations of the Company are based.
The CGRS, a joint initiative between The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) was developed to rate the corporate governance and integrity practices of all companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
NAHCO’s current and former Directors who were awarded certificates on the night were Usman Arabi Bello; Tijjani Ahmed Uwais and Hadiza Aliko – Mohammed. Others were Kayode Oluwasegun – Ojo; former MD/CEO, and Gordon Gofwan, Ike Nwachukwu and Faruk Umar.
Yakubu, who assumed leadership of NAHCO in November 2013, commended the solid corporate governance principles imbedded in the Company said the certification only confirmed what was already well known. According to him, “This did not come to us as a surprise. NAHCO is one of the few publicly listed companies in the aviation sector whose processes, procedures, and practices remain a benchmark for the entire industry.”
He commended the Board for its strategic leadership. In his words, “The Company’s Directors have done very well, and their strategic leadership inspires investors’ confidence in the Company, and would guide the Company to continue to deliver superior value to all its stakeholders”.
Yakubu added that the Company would not rest on its oars, but would use this achievement as a stepping to stone to achieve greater things.
To be certified, the CGRS rates quoted companies through a three segment process: Independent verification; self – assessment by the Company; certification of Director awareness of their fiduciary duties; and a corporate integrity assessment where perceptions of actual company behaviour are sought from Internal and external stakeholders.
IFEOMA OKEKE
