List of GBF Staff

Who We Are

• Ndidi Nnoli Edozien – Executive Director

  Ndidi previously acted as the Head and Founder of the SecTrust Asset Management Division, with assets in excess of N2 billion. She has also worked with First Securities Discount House in credit and marketing, with responsibility for the accounts of blue chip, non-bank issuers and investors. She graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) with B.Sc. (Economics) International Relations. She obtained the Investment Management Certificate from the Institute of Investment Management & Research (IIMR), UK in 1998 and currently pursuing her Doctorate Degree Program in Germany.

• Mr. Odinaka H. Okeke – Program Coordinator

  Odinaka acquired his professional expertise in the three key geographical zones of Nigeria, having served as an accounting officer and investment analyst in Gombe, Lagos and Anambra states of Nigeria. He joined the Foundation in June 6, 2000 and has worked in various capacities in the organisation before his promotion to the position of Program Coordinator including Credit Officer, Assistant Manager Credit/Micro Finance Unit, and Program Manager Credit/Micro Finance Unit where he managed a loan portfolio of over NGN151 million.

  He holds an OND in accounting from the Institute of Management & Technology (IMT), Enugu, B.Sc. Accounting from Enugu State University of Science & Technology (ESUT) and an MBA (Banking & Finance) from the University of Nigeria (UNN). Odinaka is currently writing his final stage (PE 11) of the ICAN Examination.

• Mr. Olufemi Omonehin – Head Information and Communication Technology

  Mr. Omonehin has over the years acquire experience and proficiency in System design, Network design and implementation, system architecture, system assembly and support having work in International Computer Limited, BETA computers and Cybercity Limited. He later worked with ROUTEWORX Communication as a Design and Support Engineer, where he consulted for Transnational Computer Technology on the Lagos State Globalisation project and Oracle implementation. He provides network design, wireless network and system solutions, and also advisory and consulting services to a wide range of clientele.

  Mr. Omonehin is the Head of the Information and Communications Technology department in GBF for close to 3 years and currently working on the community phone project under the universal access program.

  He is a Microsoft Certified Professional and holds a B.Sc. Computer Science and Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

• Mr. Akinwande Pearse – Coordinator for Business Development

  Akinwande has been a member of the Business Development Unit of Growing Businesses Foundation, acquiring close to 4 years experience with emerging economies, and with MSME support programs including finance, technical assistance, information management, communication, training and local capacity development. He has been extensively involved in facilitating field research on the development and implementation of new strategies and structures, on behalf of private sector organizations including Exxon Mobil Corporation, Citigroup, Chevron Nigeria Limited, United Bank for Africa Plc, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, MTN Nigeria Communication, Coca Cola Nigeria Limited etc, desirous of assisting entrepreneurs in a particular locality or sector. Currently the Editor of the Foundations bi-annual newsletter ("CSR"), Akinwande obtained his Bachelors degree from the University of Uyo and is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

• Ms. Amaka Oputa – Corporate Affairs/Admin

  Amaka Oputa works in the Admin Unit of Growing Businesses Foundation, a graduate of English Studies from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She is currently pursuing her MBA in Human Resource Management in the Lagos State University.

  Amaka has excelled in the discharge of her duties having had 4 years associated work experience with the organization. Her vision in life is to help achieve corporate goals of an organization, enrich her personality as well attain professional excellence in her career.

• Ms. Ifeoma Ozoekwem – Credit Officer

  Ifeoma has gain a considerable experience in project monitoring haven worked with Growing Businesses Foundation, Enugu office as monitoring officer for three years. She also worked with Central Bank of Nigeria, Jos as a Youth Corp member prior to joining GBF in September 3, 2001.

  She obtained her Higher National Diploma (HND) in Banking and Finance in 1999 from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu and is currently pursuing her MBA program.

• Ms. Christy Osuoha – Credit Officer

  Christy joined Growing Businesses Foundation in July 2005, as credit officer. While in GBF, she was involved in disbursing, monitoring and recovering of loans project, Coca Cola Entrepreneurial loan Program and in disbursing, monitoring and recovering of loans from our CBOs nationwide. Her excellent communication skills and interpersonal relations have enabled her build a solid relationship with entrepreneurs.

  Christy obtained her Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy in 1999 from The Polytechnic Ibadan Arts (BA) from Abia State University, Uturu. She has worked briefly with FPV Communications Lagos as a Customer Relation Officer prior to joining GBF. Her objective is to contribute to the cooperate goals of the organization she work with and attain a professional excellence in her career.

• Mr. Patrick Ohaeri – Monitoring & Impact Assessment

  Mr. Ohaeri has travelled extensively around Nigeria. His excellent interpersonal skills make it possible for him to get firsthand information from small-scale business entrepreneurs and rural communities. He previously worked for Julius Berger, International Tools and Strabag Construction in Nigeria. Patrick's excellent capabilities in assessing the needs of small-scale businesses evolved from him having established and managed his own small business for several years.