I was told some eight years ago to drop a letter at her office at Lekki, Lagos. Her grey coloured building located on the Lekki/Epe Expressway stood resplendent in the hot March sun proudly bearing that infamous insignia, ‘The House Of His Glory.’ I had thought that would be a perfect opportunity to meet her and perhaps have her share with me her foray into the furniture business. Unfortunately that day, I found her absence. I met her personal assistant. A couple of months later, we would later run into each other in the restroom at Eko Hotel & Suites!
In my opinion, she is one of the few people who kick-started the Nigerian SME industry more than ten years ago. Her business, The Chair Centre, she founded in 2004, was a reference point when the then burgeoning SME industry was discussed. Ever since, The Chair Centre Ltd has become a leader in office furniture and banking security systems industry.
As business began to grow, The Chair Centre entered into a joint venture with Sokoa S.A of France and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. The business was later renamed Sokoa Chair Centre Ltd and she became the managing director/chief executive officer. Sokoa Chair Centre Ltd was established as a result of the ban on importation of furniture by the Federal Government in 2004.
Sokoa Chair Centre Ltd has a modern factory and office facility located at Ilege village near Akodo on Eleko Road in Lekki for the local production of International standard office seating. The factory started with the local production of 13 of the 400 possible models within the Sokoa SA, France collection, whilst it continuously introduced the other models into its collection progressively.
Awosika has distinguished herself as an uncommon entrepreneur with a vision to do business differently. From following her dream and passion, she would later be invited to seat on the board of directors, Cadbury Plc; Digital Jewels Ltd, the governing board of The Convention on Business Integrity, and Youths Business Initiative. And then comes the big icing on the cake, she became a member of the board of directors, First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
As business began to grow, The Chair Centre entered into a joint venture with Sokoa S.A of France and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. The business was later renamed Sokoa Chair Centre Ltd and she became the managing director/chief executive officer. Sokoa Chair Centre Ltd was established as a result of the ban on importation of furniture by the Federal Government in 2004.
A few years down the line, the news went to town on Monday night September 07, 2015, that she is taking over from the current chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, Plc, Prince Ajibola Afonja as the new chairman, making her the first female to assume the position in the 121 years history of the bank.
Indeed Awosika has been many times fortunate. Her success is largely built on hard work, passion, following her dream and doing business His way.
And so, her new position will see her working with new managing director-designate Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, Gbenga Shobo, deputy managing director-designate. Her appointment and that of others come on the heels of the FirstBank’s earlier announcement about the retirement of the current GMD/CEO, Bisi Onasanya. Awosika will take on the new role from January 1, 2016.