Airtel’s CEO, Ogunsanya, bagged credit personality of the Year award

Chuks Udo Okonta

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director  Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, has been named the Credit Personality of the Year, 2013, by Industry professionals and seasoned finance personalities.  

The award, which was conferred by the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), is aimed at celebrating outstanding professionals within the Industry.  

 According to the award organisers, Ogunsanya was recognized for his role in improving the credit profession as well as strict adherence to the ethics of the credit management and its code of conduct.   A citation read in his honour said the prestigious award is designed to further motivate him to continue exhibiting excellent performance in general credit management, credit operational policies and procedures, as well as capacity building of credit work force in organization.  

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, ICA, Dr. Chris Onalo and Former Executive Director/Chief Credit Risk Officer, Zenith Bank, Andy Ojei presented the award to Ogunsanya at a colourful event held in Lagos at the weekend, Saturday, October 5th 2013.  

Earlier at the conference preceding the award ceremony, the Airtel CEO, delivered a paper titled Credit Management in Telecommunications. In his presentation, he identified effective credit management system as a critical factor for the growth of stakeholders in the telecommunications industry.  

According to Ogunsanya, organisations within the ICT sector must put in place efficient credit risk management systems in order to avoid collapsed or severe financial problems.   He added that poor credit management system could lead to reduced liquidity, increased costs of collections and credits, increased finance costs through extra borrowings and declined reputation of the company arising from failure to meet its obligations to its creditors, among other problems.  

Airtel boss also noted that effectively managing credit and extending same to customers operating in the Telecommunications industry can help attract many more customers inclusive of those who normally would not be able to afford the products.  

The event, which was held at the Protea Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, was attended by notable credit professionals including the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), Dr. Chris Onalo, Andy Ojei, Former Executive Director/Chief Credit Risk Officer, Zenith Bank, Adeniyi Akinlusi