Foundation honours Edozien for estimable service

PZ Cussons Nigeria Foundation has honoured its immediate past Chairperson, Prof. Emmanuel Edozien, who recently retired from the organization after a 10-year journey for his laudable service.

The farewell dinner which held recently in Lagos was graced by former First Lady of Nigeria Fathia Abubakar, former Minister of Women Affair, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Nike Akande, Mallam Dahiru Muhammad and other past and present ministers.

Indeed, the Foundation has been helping Nigeria local communities to improve education, health, potable water and infrastructure since 2007 and has successfully completed over 50 projects throughout the region during Edozien’s tenure.

The new chair, PZ Cussons Foundation, Prof. Eyitayo Lambo said under Edozien’s leadership, the foundation chose power, education, water, transport and empowerment for most of the projects that were implemented.

“I remember when we were thinking of what to do to under your leadership and we chose power, education, water, transport and empowerment; I don’t know how many projects that we implemented since the time we met but the projects we have been able to implement are full of praises and sir you are the dreamer. You saw the vision well and we share the vision with you. How can people forget you? It’s not possible.

“So sir, for you, it may not be something great but to those affected, it is something good. Humanity would never forget what you have done and so we are here to say we appreciate you, we thank you for how you have made these good things over the last 10 years.”

“When you said you were retiring, we couldn’t tie a rope around your neck and say you can’t go because we feel that there comes a time in a man’s life when one has to rest, so that is why we are here. we are deeply grateful to you on behalf of the beneficiaries for this foundation that was established; for the projects that you have implemented. We know all of them may not be successful but the ones that are successful have impacted and are still impacting on the lives of people and I want to thank you for the decision that you want me to wear the oversized shoe. We know it is difficult for you to rest, but since you said you have retired, we will want you to go and rest because we still want you around for many years” he said.

On his part, Edozien described his 10 years service as very wonderful as he was able to get the cooperation of all the board members and that aided effective service delivering.
“PZ is such a wonderful company, you can take yourself from PZ but you would not be able to take PZ out of you. So I am happy with the period I worked with PZ and all the friends I made” he added.

Prof. Emmanuel C. Edozien served as Professor of Development & International Economics at the University of Ibadan. He was also the Economic Adviser to the President of Nigeria for over 3 years. He has consulted for the World Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, Federal and State Government and multinational companies. He served as the Non-Executive Chairman of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc since 2006 Until October 31, 2014. He serves as Vice Chairman and Director of AMNI International Petroleum Development Company Limited.

He serves as a Director of Union Bank of Nigeria Limited, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc and Paterson Zochonis Industries Plc. Prof Edozien serves as a Director of Nigerian Security Printing & Minting Company. He served as a Director of Union Bank of Nigeria plc from January 31, 2006 to November 15, 2007.