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Toll Free Line: 0803-123-0936
Board Members
Oversight and management are provided by the Board of Directors and Management Team.
Osaren Emokpae PhD, DBA – Chairman
Godwin Ehigiamusoe PhD – Executive Vice Chairman
Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe is an accomplished social entrepreneur and a foremost microfinance practitioner who has applied the concept of social enterprise to successfully build a number of enterprises which address the needs of persons and businesses at the bottom end of the society.
He has a doctorate degree in Policy and Development Studies, a Master’s degree in Development Studies, Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and a diploma in Corporative Thrift and Credit Management. He has attended several capacity enhancement and development programmes at the Harvard Kennedy School (2005); Lagos Business School (2010); IESE Business School, Barcelona (2010) and ISEAD Business School, Singapore Campus (2010).
In 2006, he led LAPO to win the prestigious Grameen Foundation Award for Excellence in Microfinance. He won the Model Entrepreneur Award – Nigeria of the FATE Foundation in 2008 and the Professor Schwab Foundation’s ‘Outstanding Social Entrepreneur for Africa 2010 Award. In 2014, Dr Ehigiamusoe won, along with former Governor Peter Obi, the Lagos Business School’s Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2012, the Rotary Club of Benin City honoured him for his outstanding contributions to human development while the University of Benin, Benin City also conferred on him Doctor of Science degree (Honoris Causa) in 2016.
He has authored, Understanding NGOs (1998), Poverty and Microfinance in Nigeria (2000), Issues in Microfinance: Enhancing Financial Inclusion (2011), It Can Be Done (The Mind Behind LAPO) and Touching Lives: My LAPO Journey (2021).
Elizabeth Ngozi Ehigiamusoe – Member
Mrs. Elizabeth Ehigiamusoe is the pioneer Managing Director of Micro-Investment Support Services Limited (MISS). She holds M.Sc. degree in Financial Management (2011) and B.Sc. degree in Accounting (2007) from the University of Benin, Nigeria.
Ehigiamusoe is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (London), the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria and the Nigeria Institute of Management. She has attended several management training programmes within and outside the country including the Lagos Business School (2008) and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany (2007).
Dr. Oyefemi Margaret Obazee- Member
She is a consultant Ophthalmologist with Echos Hospital, NNPC Medical Centre and Faith Mediplex Hospital, Benin City and a Part time Ophthalmologist Residency Trainer at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo state.
A fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS), she holds Bachelor of Medicine Surgery (MBBS) degrees from the University of Ibadan.
Edward Osayomwanbor Aghimien – Member
Aghimien holds degrees in Economics and Marketing. He has attended courses in Strategy Formulation, Implementation, Leadership and Corporate Governance at the Stanford University, USA as well as International Management Programme in Marketing, Finance and Brand Management. He has vast experience in marketing and human resource management gained from various positions in Johnholt, Kingsway Stores and Lever Brothers Plc where he was a Brand Manager. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, United Kingdom, Nigeria Marketing Association and the Nigeria Institute of Management.
Elizabeth Eguasa Nekpen Esq – Member
She holds Barrister at Law (BL) and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the Nigerian Law School the University of Benin, Benin City respectively. She also holds an Associate Degree in Secretariat Science from the Miami-Dade Comm. College, USA and a certificate in General Management from the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).
Elizabeth Eguasa serves as a Principal Partner in E.N. Eguasa and Co. and has also served as Chairperson, Board of Directors of Micro Investment Support Services Limited. She was a Director in three government establishments in Edo State, Nigeria.
Dorcas Osahenrumwen Thorpe – Member
Thorpe heads the Alternative Delivery Channel (ADC) Group in LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited and has a background in information technology, project management, financial services and customer relationship. She holds MSc degree in Computer Information and Networks from the University of Essex, United Kingdom (2013) and B.Sc. degree in Information Technology and Networking from the Middlesex University, United Kingdom (2011).
A member of the Institute of Customer Relationship Management and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, she is skillful in Agent Network Management, Project Management and Customer Relationship Management, Creative Designs and Software Development. Her achievements include launching the Agent Banking Operations of LAPO MfB and using cards for financial transactions.
Andrew Edozie Ejoh – Member
Mr. Ejoh Andrew holds a Diploma in Accounting from Faulks Lynch College of Accountancy, London (1976) and an alumnus of several international training institutions. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
He is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience which cut across Auditing, Taxation, and Financial Advisory. He was the past chairman of the Warri District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Honestus Ayobami Obadiora PhD- Member
Honestus Ayobami Obadiora (PhD) is a development professional with over 15 years of experience implementing and coordinating community-based interventions in the NGO sector. He is certified in public health, business management & consultancy, result-based project management, and international development. Dr. Obadiora is passionately committed to sustainable development initiatives among the vulnerable groups.
Management Team
Honestus Ayobami Obadiora PhD – Executive Director
Honestus Ayobami Obadiora (PhD) is a development professional with over 15 years of experience implementing and coordinating community-based interventions in the NGO sector. He is certified in public health, business management & consultancy, result-based project management, and international development. Dr. Obadiora is passionately committed to sustainable development initiatives among the vulnerable groups.
Philomena Irowa Elijah – Head, Corporate Services
Mrs. Philomena Irowa Elijah holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Secretarial Administration. She is highly experienced in Office Technology, Programing, Gender Mainstreaming, Enterprise Development and Management of NGOs, among others. She joined LAPO in 2000. Her previous engagements include Okungbowa and Sons, Benin City, Elf Oil Nigeria Ltd and Abia State Sports Council.
Tessa Obiageli Anota – Head, Corporate Planning & Performance Management
Tessa Anota has over 23 years of progressive leadership experience in Programme/Project Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Training Facilitation, Strategic Planning, Research, System Strengthening, Organizational Development and Performance management. A certified Management Consultant and a Chartered Strategic Management and Performance Consultant, she holds B.Sc. and Master’s degrees in Public Health Education
James-Wisdom Abhulimen – Head, Programme & Corporate Communications
James-Wisdom Abhulimen is a specialist in Corporate and Development Communications, Policy Advocacy, Programme Implementation and Event Management. A certified member of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations(NIPR), he holds a Master’s degree in Communications Management, Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration and HND in Mass Communication.
Andrew Udah – Head, Resource Mobilization & Proposal Development
Mr. Andrew Udah holds Master’s degree in Agricultural Extension, Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Management and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agricultural Extension and Management. He is a specialist in Community/Rural Development and has been involved in several rural development initiatives in LAPO.
Alfred Oboh – Head, LAPO Rural Development Initiative (LARDI)
Mr Alfred Oboh joined the organisation in 2003 and has served meritoriously in various capacities. A member of the Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management (CILRM) and a certified Microfinance Banker by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), he holds B.Sc. degree in Mathematics Education.
Stella Kieran-Ibekwe Esq.-Head, Corporate Secretariat, Legal & Compliance
Stella Kieran-Ibekwe is head of Corporate Secretariat, Legal & Compliance unit. A certified Microfinance Banker and member of the Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management (CILRM), she is vastly experienced in money laundering and administrative control. Kieran-Ibekwe’s career spans over 18 years in the organization with a leading role in the design and implementation of the organization’s risk management and monitoring framework.
Friday Omotoye – Head, Risk Management and Monitoring
Mr. Omotoye has over 14 years of experience in Microfinance with a specialization in Credit Operations. A member of the Chartered Institute of Loan & Risk Management (CILRM), he holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Town and Regional Planning from the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.
Lucky Idahosa – Head, Finance & Accounts
A Chartered Accountant, Mr. Idahosa Lucky holds B.Sc. degree in Accounting and Finance from the Delta State University, Abraka. He joined LAPO in 2009 as an Internal Auditor, appointed Regional Auditor in 2011, Head, Internal Audit & Control in 2013 and appointed Head, Finance & Accounts in August 2021.
Monday Egharevba – Head, Operations/IT
Monday Egharevba joined LAPO in 2007 and has over 14 years experience in Core Credit Delivery and Operations. A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), he holds B.Sc. degree in Accounting and Finance (2001), Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state and has attended several capacity and leadership development programmes.
Izekor Obomwan – Head, Internal Audit & Control
A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Chartered Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Mr. Obomwan holds HND in Accounting (2009) from the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. Before joining LAPO in 2015, he worked with Sterling Bank Plc and has vast experience in banking and accounting.