Category: Director

Dr Nkemka Jombo-Ofo

A man with a Vision, a Mission and Determination to improve the lives of millions, Dr Jombo-Ofo has guided us over the years on the path to realising the Backbone Infrastructure Limited (BIL) Route 1 and Route 3 Corridor.

His enthusiasm and tireless energy have accompanied us along this journey so far.

Sadly, he left us too early; however, we are confident his light will continue to shine on our path.

We will follow his straight forward uncomplicated direction for many years to come.

The Co-Founders of Backbone Infrastructure Limited (BIL), Corvinus Foundation, Integrated Backbone Project Ltd., NetZone Engineering Ltd., and Norman Mining Group Ltd and TunnelCraft Ltd. owe Dr Jombo-Ofo a lot.

We heartfully support our Chairman, Sen Dr Ken Nnamani’s proposal to call the Route 1 and Route 3 Healthcare in his name to honour and extend forever his being amongst us along our journeys.

All of us here mourn the passing of Dr Jombo-Ofo and unite in honouring the exemplary life of a great Nigerian entrepreneur.

We unite in offering our condolences to the Jombo-Ofo family in their time of mourning.

We assure you that the honourable legacy he leaves behind offers both inspiration and challenge to anyone who aspires to emulate this great man.

We hope the many reminders that surround you of how he has enriched the lives of all who have had the privilege to be associated with him will soon bring you comfort and relief of sorrow.

We pray that you, Dr Jombo-Ofo, from high up there where time is eternal, send us your shining light.

The Board of Directors, Sen Dr Ken Nnamani, Dominique Menoud, Henry Owonka, Andrew Taylor, Cormac Hicks, Onyinyechi (IJE) Jombo-Ofo and the Management Team of the Route 1 and Route 3 Backbone Infrastructure Limited (BIL).

Mr Usman, born in 1951 in Funtua area of present-day Katsina State got his early education at the Islamiyah School and the Aya School in Funtua. He then proceeded to the Government School also in Funtua and attended the Federal Training Centre Kaduna, and ultimately the Kaduna Polytechnic where he obtained a certificate in Accounting and Auditing.

In 1970 he joined the North Central State’s Civil Service as Clerical Assistant in the Audit Department and worked at its Headquarters for two years. He was later posted at Jema’a Federation which comprises Kafanchan, Jema’a and Kachia Area Councils then at the Local Inspection Division Headquarters of Kaduna State, and ultimately at the Kaduna/Birnin Gwari Local Government Inspectorate.

Mr Usman left the Civil Service at the end of 1977 to venture into the private sector as a contractor specializing in building construction and supply. He later also diversified into Agriculture, starting with grains production and later livestock, poultry and fisheries.

Presently, Mr Usman is a Director at three different companies, namely; Tower Asset Management, SANAD Integrated farms and ABDAN Global Resources.

Mr Usman is fully versed in Arabic Studies receiving a Diploma from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2000.

He also served as a Board member of the Katsina State Hajj Commission between 2016 and 2019.

Abdul Wahab Usman has in-depth knowledge of Northern Nigeria and will significantly contribute to the Route 1 and Route 3 Project’s most northern segment.

Henry Owonka, is the CEO of Netzone Engineering and on the board of other Companies. He attended the renowned Government College Ibadan, Nigeria (where prior to graduation was appointed based on academic excellence and good standing amongst his peers the role of Deputy Head of School). He received the award of Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Hardware and Software Engineering Degree from Coventry University in the UK and further obtained his Master of Science (MSc) in Information Technology for Manufacturing Engineering in the same University, a Chattered Engineer (CEng).

Henry has worked and provided services to the FTSE companies over the last 20 years, list of which includes Blue Chip Companies – Accenture UK, IBM UK, Cisco – Germany, SAP Waldorf Germany, Atos Germany, McAfee (USA),NetApp UK, Hewlett Packard (HP); Financial Sector – HSBC Bank UK, JP Morgan, Nationwide Building Society UK, ING Bank Hague Netherlands; Telco – British Telecommunications (BT) UK, Oil & Gas – Shell Netherlands, BG Group; Global Insurance – CHUBB,AXA; Airline -British Airways; Government – European Commission Luxemburg, Liverpool Direct (Joint Venture Liver city Council & British Telecom) and so on. He received awards from the Oyo State Government and University of Ibadan (Youth empowerment and support) in the early 2000.

Henry.Owonka@ngbil.com

In loving memory of Dominique J. Menoud

We had to say goodbye to Dominique with tremendous sadness during the last years, and the world is now a smaller place without him. Needless to say, those of us who knew and loved him are still grieving his death.

Like so many others in his circle, I knew him as a coworker, a mentor, and, most importantly, a friend. He was a man of extraordinary fortitude, perseverance, and vision. He was a warrior for all of us, and we must all remember that:

  • We have no idea how long we will be here.
  • We cannot predict the challenges and tribulations that will befall us along the journey.
  • We have no idea what God’s purpose is for us.
  • What we can do is live our lives as fully as possible with meaning, love, and joy.
  • We may utilize each day to show those closest to us how much we care about them, and to treat others with the kindness and respect that we would like to be treated with.
  • We may develop from our failures and learn from our mistakes.
  • We can strive at all costs to make the world a better place, so that if we are blessed with the opportunity to look back on our time here.
  • We will know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; and that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of others.

This is how Dominique lived. This is his legacy.

(Ije) Onyinyechi Jombo-Ofo, a Programme and Change Management professional with over 15 years’ experience of successfully delivering Business Transformation and Strategic Change initiatives in the United Kingdom.

These Projects have ranged in value from medium to very large and span across various industry sectors including: Third Sector/Not for Profit organisations; and Private sector multi-national organisations; Healthcare Trusts (private and public); a Central Govt. Housing Association; Financial Services and a Further Education organisation.

Ije is an Honours graduate of the University of Nottingham UK, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. She is also a Certified PRINCE2 and MSP Practitioner and a member of the Association of Project Managers (APMG).

She continuously seeks to engage with initiatives that add real value to emerging economies and contribute significantly to transforming the lives of its citizens as a whole.

ije.jombo-ofo@ngbil.com

Cormac Hicks has been working in the Tunnelling Industry for the last 40 years. He started his career using the labour-intensive method of Ribs and Lagging to secondary line tunnels all over the UK. This naturally led onto Cormac starting his own company CP Hicks Ltd which specialised in Caulking, Pointing and Secondary Lining.

Cormac joined the team at Tunnelcraft in the late 80’s as Pit Boss on a Miller Civil Engineering Tunnel on the Isle of Wight.

In 1995 he took over from Danny Riordan as Managing Director.

Since then Cormac has confidently steered Tunnelcraft through continued growth and is passionate about delivering the very best, Safety Focused service.

Dr. Dike has over 35 years of executive experience with expertise in strategic planning, public policies, market analysis, negotiations, project management, program evaluation, organizational restructuring and repositioning, process redesign and re-engineering and private-public partnerships.

He is chairman of Niger Insurance Plc., AMTS and Montgomery Partners Limited. He served at executive levels in Fairfax Securities, Cayonosa Gas Services Corporation, Julius Stevens Corporation, Tiffany International and Metropolitan Development Corporation, all in the United States. He led international consultancy engagements for USAID, DFID, AusAID, and Bank of Beijing.  His public sector experience includes Administrator in the Department of General Services and Chief of Systems Accounts and Revenue for Department of Public Works in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Since returning to Nigeria in 2007, he served on the President’s Electoral Reform (Uwais) Committee; as Coordinator of the National Technical Working Group, Business Environment and Competitiveness for Vision 20:2020; and Chairman of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council. He is on the Board of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc. and Centenary City Plc.

He holds an earned Ph.D. in Economics, MBA in Finance, M.S. in Resource Management, M.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Chemistry from West Virginia University. He was an Adjunct Professor of finance and management; has reviewed several text books; and served as Guest Editor for the South African Journal of Economics. He held Series 7 and 24 Investment Banking Licenses while in the United States.

Mr. Olusola Adeeyo is an experienced former banker who capped his banking career as part of the founding Owner /management team group that built and nurtured Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited (IBTC), now Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc to its enviable position in Nigeria’s banking sector, raising it to become a truly commendable continental institution and brand.

Mr Adeeyo joined Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited in 1989 as Director/Group Head Treasury and is credited with significant contributions in formulating and implementing the strategic direction of the bank. Before that, he had enjoyed a remarkable stint at the Nigeria International Bank, (NIB, now CITI Group, a subsidiary of CITI Bank NY). At NIB Mr Adeeyo was part of a team that built the bank’s Treasury to one of the most productive in the country.

In 1991, he set up Asset & Investment Limited, a Financial Services Advisory outfit which he served as Chief Executive Officer during which he was responsible for successfully arranging and raising debts for some States as well as trading companies. He further started several other successful businesses including; co-founding of Protea Hotel Oakwood Park, which was part of an international hotel brand managed and operated by the Protea Hotel Group of South Africa, now part of the Marriot Hotel Group, Astral Waters Limited, a leader in quality water production, bottling and delivery business.

He currently serves as the Chairman AXA Mansard Insurance Plc and had previously served on the board of other reputable companies including, as an Independent Director / Chairman Corporate Governance and Remuneration Committee at Central Securities and Clearing Company Plc (CSCS); Chairman Viathan Engineering Limited and others.

Mr Adeeyo holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Northeastern University Boston, USA in addition to a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New York, Albany, New York USA.