Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano
The
Ukwuoma Kpolu
Aguleri, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Early Life
Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano is from Aguleri, a rural community in the Anambra river valley. It is the largest town in the area and the headquarters of Anambra East Local Council. His parents, Philip and Christiana, are both Catholics and from the same town. Philip, a catechist, was also a teacher, who taught in schools across Igboland.
Following Nigeria’s military coup in 1966, many Igbo families lost their loved ones in the pogrom in Northern Nigeria. Amid the uncertainties, the July counter-coup occurred, and 11-year-old Willie and his siblings returned to their classrooms, with ill omen muffling family conversations in homes. In May 1967, Lt.-Col. Emeka Ojukwu, as Military Governor of Eastern Region, declared the region the Independent State of Biafra. The declaration changed the history of the region and the country.
Educational Profile
Young Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano showed great promise in his early education. He was particularly remarkable at the Christ the King’s College (CKC) Onitsha where he won the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Prize for Essay writing in 1974 and subsequently made good grades that earned him a place in the University of Lagos where he studied Accountancy.
He was to later bag his two university degrees from the same school graduating with a B.Sc (Second Class Upper Division) in 1979 and MBA in Marketing in 1993. Chief Obiano was John F. Kennedy Essay Winner 1974 at CKC and holds a national Merit Certificate for outstanding service during his NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) in Benue State, Nigeria in the 1979/80 Service Year. He is a Fellow (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Professional Experience
Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano started his banking career as Officer in First Bank in 1981 from where he moved to Texaco Nigeria Plc as a lead Accountant specializing in Bunkering, Lube-blending and Refinery Audits. He was promoted 4 times in his eight-and-half-year-service at Texaco to become Chief Internal Auditor.
Chief (Dr.) Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano was part of the team that audited Texaco Refinery in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1989.He joined Fidelity Bank from Texaco in 1991 as Deputy Manager and head of Audit. He was promoted Manager in 1991, Assistant General Manager in 1993, Deputy General Manager in 2000 and General Manager in 2002 and Executive Director in October, 2003. Between 1991 and 2002, he headed many key Groups and Divisions, at one point or another.
Political Career
Governor Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano also holds the distinction of being the first governor of Anambra State since its creation to adopt a pragmatic and measurable approach to governance by clearly establishing the Vision and Mission for his administration and a visionary Economic Blueprint called the Anambra Wheel of Development. His first term in office is a stunning harvest of achievements which has firmly established him as a visionary leader and towering political figure in Nigeria.
Always on the heels of history, Governor Obiano’s election into a second term in office remains a watershed in Nigeria’s electoral history. Running on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Obiano set a historical record when he won a landslide victory that swept aside all his opponents as he won in 21 local governments out of the 21 local governments in Anambra State. It is a landmark victory that has no rival in Nigeria’s democratic experience.
Previous & current positions
Chief Internal Auditor
Nov. 1981 - Nov. 2006
Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano began his career on an auspicious note at First Bank of Nigeria where he learned the rudiments of banking and established his flair for financial analysis. However, he eventually moved to Texaco Nigeria Plc. where he gradually rose to the enviable position of the Chief Internal Auditor of the company with extensive oversight functions covering the company’s operations overseas.
Achievements
- Chief (Dr.) Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano was part of the team that audited Texaco Refinery in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1989.
- Provision of Good Working Atmosphere
- Increase in Salary
- Good Work Balance
- Healthy Environment
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Executive Director
Nov. 1998 - Nov. 2002
He joined Fidelity Bank from Texaco in 1991 as Deputy Manager and head of Audit. He was promoted Manager in 1991, Assistant General Manager in 1993, Deputy General Manager in 2000 and General Manager in 2002 and Executive Director in October, 2003. Between 1991 and 2002, he headed many key Groups and Divisions, at one point or another.As Executive Director of the Mega Fidelity Bank (and No. 2 man), Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano was in charge of Business Banking (Corporate Banking, Non-Bank Financial Institutions, Treasury, (Naira and Foreign Exchange, Oil & Gas, Telecom & Food and Beverages, Transport and Aviation). All the Regional Managers of the bank reported through him to the MD/CEO. Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano left Fidelity Bank on a high. He was well loved by the ordinary staff and respected by the management and the Board. At the bank’s annual dinners and social events, Akpokuedike Aguleri, as he was fondly called by friends and colleagues.
Special Adviser
Nov. 1998 - Nov. 2002
In 2010, Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano joined the Anambra State Government as a special adviser on financial matters to the then Governor, Peter Obi. Obiano played a significant role in the reduction of the state's domestic and foreign debt profile. Under his watch, the state's debt profile was reduced from over N34 billion to N9 billion. He also implemented policies that ensured financial stability in Anambra State. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS), which helped to improve the state's revenue generation and reduce its dependence on federal allocations. Obiano was the Chairman of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) from 2011 to 2013. During his tenure, he worked to attract investors to the state and promote a favorable investment climate. He was also involved in the establishment of the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) to provide funding and support to small and medium-sized enterprises in the state.
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Elected Governor
Nov. 1998 - Nov. 2002
In 2010, Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano joined the Anambra State Government as a special adviser on financial matters to the then Governor, Peter Obi. Obiano played a significant role in the reduction of the state's domestic and foreign debt profile. Under his watch, the state's debt profile was reduced from over N34 billion to N9 billion. He also implemented policies that ensured financial stability in Anambra State. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS), which helped to improve the state's revenue generation and reduce its dependence on federal allocations. Obiano was the Chairman of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) from 2011 to 2013. During his tenure, he worked to attract investors to the state and promote a favorable investment climate. He was also involved in the establishment of the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) to provide funding and support to small and medium-sized enterprises in the state.
Public Service
The leadership of Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano made notable strides in delivering public services that enhanced the quality of life for residents of Anambra State. His work helped the state expand and prosper while also creating a strong foundation for further expansion.
Membership in Professional associations
Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano is one of Africa’s leading investors and philanthropists. He is the Founder.
