Why Emefiele got Africa’s lifetime award – Forbes
For a meritorious banking industry career that spanned 29 years, Forbes Media has honoured Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele with the Forbes Best of Africa Lifetime Achievement Award.
In its letter of award to Emefiele signed by the President, Customs Solutions Media for Forbes Media, Mr Mark Furlong, Forbes disclosed that it decided to honour the CBN Governor on the grounds of his remarkable performance and pacesetting achievements for his six years and more at the apex bank.
Forbes in partnership with Foreign Investment Network (FIN), also issued Emefiele with its Certificate of Distinction, noting that he has been able to regulate Nigerian banks and introduced far reaching measures to stabilize the economy in spite of global economic challenges.
The letter reads in part, “It is with great pleasure that Forbes Media and the creators of Forbes Best of Africa wish to inform you that you have been nominated for the Forbes Best of Africa Life Time Achievement Award.
“Many here at Forbes have followed your banking career with keen interest over the past 29 years, including the sterling and pacesetting achievements that marked your tenure as Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer at Zenith Bank PLC, one of Nigeria’s largest banks.
“It therefore comes as no surprise that you have brought the same ‘cando’ spirit to your job as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
Emefiele was lauded for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) which has reduced identity theft and impersonation while assisting the government to fight corruption.
Forbes Media also said the CBN governor worked to restore the independence of CBN as a policy-making institution while creating a fair and equitable exchange rate for the naira against major international currencies.