Appointments
WTO discloses nomination window for DG selection
The appointment process for the next Director-General of WTO would formally commence today June 8, 2020 with the process lasting until July 8.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) members have given a month window to candidates seeking to become the next Director-General of the body to submit their nominations bids. This was disclosed in a statement issued by WTO
This is contrary to the earlier position held by Egypt that member states of the African Union (AU) had been required to nominate candidates for the position by November 30, 2019, while opposing the sudden nomination of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as DG for WTO by Nigeria.
The General Council Chair, David Walker of New Zealand informed members on May 20, that the appointment process for the next Director-General would formally commence today June 8, 2020 with the process lasting until July 8.
Ambassador Walker had earlier communicated to members on May 18 that in the absence of any objections, he would start the process on May 25. However, the Chair received a specific objection on May 20 and a request to delay the process by two weeks and so it was reset for June 8.
It would be recalled that the outgoing Director-General of WTO, Roberto Azevedo, had on May 14 informed members at an informal heads of delegation meeting that he intended to step down on August 31, 2020, a year before his term was to expire.
(READ MORE: Lagos Executive Council’s meeting goes virtual, as full lockdown commences)
Meanwhile, Egypt had kicked against the nomination of the former Finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala, as the Director-General of WTO because it claimed it was out of time. It argued that it was not in conformity with the executive council decision as it was after the November 30, 2019 deadline for nomination by the AU.
Under the guidelines, nominations can only be submitted by WTO members and only on behalf of their own nationals. The Chair will inform WTO members of nominations as soon as they are received.
READ MORE: Global trade to record worst decline in 2020 since global financial crisis of 2008
After 8 July, Chair Walker will issue to members a consolidated list of all candidates. Shortly after the nomination period has closed, candidates will be invited to meet with members at a special General Council meeting, present their views and take questions from the membership.
The Chair also released the procedures under which members must formally submit the nominations of their candidates.
Appointments
Airtel Nigeria announces appointment of Surendran as new Chief Executive Officer
Airtel Nigeria, has announced the appointment of Mr C. Surendran as the new MD/CEO with effect from August 1, 2021.
Telecommunications giant, Airtel Nigeria, has announced the appointment of Mr C. Surendran as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with effect from August 1, 2021.
Surendran would be replacing the outgoing Managing Director and Chief Executive of Airtel Nigeria, Olusegun Ogunsanya, who has been elevated to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa Plc with effect from October 1, 2021.
According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria, this disclosure is contained in a statement issued by Airtel on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Lagos.
READ: Airtel Africa signs new $500 million loan with Bank of America, HSBC, others
The statement says that Surendran would also be appointed to the Executive Committee (ExCo) as Regional Operating Director, reporting to the CEO of Airtel Africa plc, and onto the Board of Airtel Networks (Nigeria) Limited.
Airtel in its statement said, “Surendran has been with Bharti Airtel since 2003 and has contributed immensely in various roles across customer experience, sales and business operations.
He was the Chief Executive Officer of Karnataka, which is the largest circle in Airtel India, with over one billion dollars in revenue.
Surendran delivered an exceptional performance with significant movement in Revenue Market Share (RMS) over the last few years, currently at 54 percent. He has over 30 years of business experience, including 15 years at Xerox.’’
Airtel said that Surendran would transition into his new role from June 1, 2021, and spend the time onboarding into the business until July 31, 2021.
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In case you missed it
It can be recalled that a few days ago, Airtel Africa Plc, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services in Nigeria and 13 other countries, announced the appointment of Mr Olusegun Ogunsanya as the new Chief Executive Officer, following the notice of retirement given by the current Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Raghunath Mandava, to the Board.
In the notification sent by Airtel Africa to the Nigerian Exchange, Ogunsanya is expected to join the board of Airtel Africa with effect from October 1, 2021.
Appointments
Guinness announces retirement of Chairman, appoints former Minister as replacement
Guinness Nigeria Plc has announced the appointment of Dr Omobola Johnson as the new Chairman of its board, with effect from July 1, 2021.
