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Memo To The Market – The NSE, Oscar Onyema Foundation And Corporate Governance

Aug 20, 2018   •   by   •   Source: Proshare   •   eye-icon 5313 views

Monday, August 20, 2018   15.35PM  / OpEd by Olufemi Awoyemi

 

“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.” -  Potter Stewart

 

The mandate given to the newly constituted executive management of the NSE post-Ndi Okereke-Onyuike was to develop, grow and implement an exchange driven by, and able to hold itself to the best possible standards of governance and to exercise extreme caution where any appearance of or circumstance may present itself.

 

The Emmanuel Ikazoboh led interim management made this charge after receipt of a formal approval from the Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) who ratified the appointments of the new executive committee at its 56th meeting held on Tuesday, January 18, 2011; in response to NSE’s December 21, 2010 and January 13, 2011 letters with regards to the unanimous decision of the NSE Council to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, IT and Market Operations.

 

The exchange has been executing this mandate without incident till Friday, August 17, 2018 when it supervised the launch of a private foundation of the CEO at its office, including organizing a bell ringing session; an activity hitherto reserved for departing CEOs.

 

This is an isolated case but one that indicates acquiescence, if not support from the NSE Council - the mandate keepers. Mr. Oscar Onyema is thoughtful, professional and a gentleman who has every right to pursue socially uplifting causes. It is a good thing to do but not sufficient to meet the highest standards of corporate governance; in so far as he holds the position of the CEO of the exchange.

 

I believe that this was an honest mistake devoid of ulterior motives yet has thrown up obvious conflicts arising from the use of the exchange in the launch and promotion of the foundation. The related issues, impact and implications arising therefrom and related to now forms the subject of this memo to the market.

 

That said, when it comes to how and what Oscar Onyema, the NSE Council and indeed the foundation should decide next on this matter, sovereignty over decision-making does not rest with commentators and independent analysts like me; they rarely do. It will be one in which the parties will have to make in the best interest of the market – as they wish to be remembered.

 

It is my expectation that pedigree, intent and value orientation(s) will kick in and corrective action will be taken to make this a non-issue.

 

 

Context Matters

Market operators know the story of Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke's 2008 outing under the aegis of "Africans for Obama Campaign", the fund-raising that followed, and the ensuing governance issues raised concerning the director-general’s role and that of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)  as an institution.

 

Students of Nigerian corporate governance history will equally recall that Ndi’s mistake here was to repeat the May 2005 act by then President Obasanjo to invite and receive donations into the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) project which was launched in Abeokuta with the goal of  raising N7 billion for the project, while he was still in office.

 

It would appear that the Nigerian Stock Exchange hasn't grasped that history lesson fully. Instead, the exchange seems to be acting out the same script, the consequence of which would indicate sadly that there is no institutional memory or sustained desire to elevate the governance environment in our markets beyond where it bottomed out.

 

To “mobilise and sensitise Africans about the Obama policies and message”, Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, OON, then Director-General/CEO of the Nigeria Stock Exchange in 2008 organized and caused to be held an August 11, 2008 glamorous fundraiser where business leaders and high-society elites paid up for tables. This generated a whole lot of heat and enquiry for which she was cleared of any wrongdoing because no Nigerian laws were broken. That said, the fact that US laws prohibited overseas donations ab-initio made the purpose, positioning and promotion of the fundraiser and the associated role of the exchange a continuing corporate governance concern, especially on matters bothering on conflict of interest and of roles.

 

To demonstrate and deepen democracy in Nigeria, then President Obasanjo initiated  and caused to be incorporated on November 12, 2002 the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Foundation and  subsequently held a fundraiser on Saturday, May 14, 2005 for the said presidential library. According to the board of trustees, "the philosophical cornerstones of  leadership, transparency and agriculture guided President Obasanjo throughout his years of public life and allowed him to lead, achieve and create a vivid, lasting legacy that continues to shape and influence, form and guide the times in which we live right now." Donors to this project included oil companies, financial institutions, business leaders and high-society elite.

 

The trustees (as it was then made public) included Ambassador Christopher Kolade, then Nigeria's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, as chairman, Carl Masters, an American as co-chairman, Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Hon. Vernon Jordan, an American, Richard Branson, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, Mr. Jim Ovia, Dr. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, the president's eldest daughter and Ogun State commissioner for health and Nyaknno Osso, the president's librarian, serving as secretary.

 

Proshare Nigeria Pvt. Ltd.

L – R shows Florence Otedola (Dj Cuppy),Trustee, Oscar N. Onyema Foundation (ONO); Mr. Oscar N. Onyema OON, Founder,ONO Foundation; Babatunde Folawiyo, Chairman, Board of Trustees, ONO Foundationand Mrs. Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, Trustee, ONO Foundation, during theUnveiling Ceremony of The Oscar N. Onyema Foundation, at the Stock ExchangeHouse today in Lagos.


Good Intentions Actualized Should Matter & Be Encouraged In Our Society

The referenced saga above exemplifies Oscar’s predicament with the launch on Friday, August 17, 2018 at the Exchange, of the Oscar N. Onyema Foundation (ONO), which for all intents and purpose speaks to our common humanity and response to the plea for private sector leaders to play a structured role in helping to build a better society.

 

The foundation as set out reflects this lofty goal as the profile below indicates, viz:

 

Name:           Oscar N. Onyema Foundation (ONO).

Type:             Not-for-Profit and Non-Political Organisation / Philanthrophy

Purpose:      To provide sustainable high impact programs that would positively affect the society and transform the lives of less privileged children and youth in Nigeria.

Goal:             The primary goal of the foundation is to support the continued effort to expand access to formal education in Nigeria, especially amongst indigent children and youth, raise the bar in academic achievements, and encourage positivity and hope to the less privileged families and communities.

Focus:          Four (4) priority areas:

·         mentorship program,

·         scholarship management program,

·         workforce program, and

·         home visitation

Trustees:     Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, CEO NSEand Founder/Promoter

                        Barr. (Mrs) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi; Prin. Partner, UPTOWN SOLICITORS

Mr. Sonnie Ayere, Chairman and Founder, Dunn Loren Merrifield

Ms. Ejim Dike, Executive Director, Human Rights Network, USA

Ms. Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola (DJ Cuppy) CEO, Red Velvet Music Group

BoT Chair:  Dr. Babatunde Tijani Folawiyo

Partners:     To identify and partner with any private, public or civil society organization or institution or indeed individual(s) with similar objectives for the promotion of philanthropic activities.

Approach:  The foundation would pair less privileged children and youth with respectable and credible members of society and organisations in order to groom them into becoming responsible citizens and effective nation builders.

It will identify areas of critical need in the education and development of underprivileged persons with a view to providing them such assistance appropriately, touch the lives of the needy amongst society and provide charity for the less privileged in society

Activity:       To organize lectures, seminars, workshops for public enlightenment in such areas of interest as the Foundation’s management may from time to time determine.

Events:         None scheduled.

Launch:       1. Formal launch at The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lagos State August 17, 2018

                        2. Bell Ringing Ceremony

Website:      www.onofoundation.org

Address:      9th Floor, Eleganza House, 15B Wesley/ Joseph Street, Lagos Island, Nigeria

Next Step:   To announce the first tranche of beneficiaries of the Foundation’s scholarship before the end of the year.

Donations: 1. Financial - Financial donations in favour of: Oscar N. Onyema (ONO) Foundation – Access Bank Plc, Account No: 0781153553

2. In-kind (Material/Nutritional) donation to our office address.

3. To volunteer, send a mail to [email protected]

Contact:       Call +234 906 000 9440 (Sorochi Ugorji)

Message:     “The ONO is the culmination of a passionate idea long held by me to contribute my time and funds towards enhancing access to qualitative education for orphans and vulnerable children in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the country.”

                        “I encourage every patriotic Nigerian to continue to give their support towards uplifting indigent youths especially those who seek knowledge. Our efforts to play an active role in the 4th industrial revolution must have the youth at its center due to their population, energy and potential impact”

 

Babatunde  Folawiyo, chairman, board of trustees, ONO Foundation, echoed the above message from Oscar Onyema when he said “the foundation is borne out of an understanding that the society of our dreams cannot materialize if its future (the children and the youth) are not properly trained, inspired and equipped to be the catalyst and springboard of change and growth”.

 

Dr. Babatunde Tijani Folawiyo, BoT chair is a well-regarded business leader who serves as the Managing Director of Yinka Folowiyo Power, Chairman of Coronation Merchant Bank Ltd, Director of MTN Nigeria Ltd.; Executive Director of Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Co. Ltd, Yinka Folawiyo Group of Companies and has been a Director of Abacan Resource Corp. since December 1993.  A former non-executive director of Access Bank Plc, Dr. Babatunde Folawiyo was called to the Bar of England and Wales (Honorable Society of the Inner Temple) in 1985, he started his law Practice in Nigeris with the firm of Ogunsanya & co. from where he resigned in 1989. Dr. Folawiyo holds a B.Sc degree in Economics obtained in 1980 from the London School of Economics coupled with LL.B and LL.M degrees obtained from the famous University College London in June 1984 and 1985 respectively. His achievements include an appointment as Honorary Consul of Barbados in Lagos, Nigeria, a position he holds to this day, and the receipt of the African Business Leadership Award in 2010. He is a member of the Bar Association of England and Wales, and the Nigerian Bar Association.

 

Mr. Sonnie Ayere, Chairman of DunnLorenMerrifield (DLM), a dedicated mentor and founder of a firm founded in 2009; is a successful professional who has amassed years of solid corporate and structured finance, corporate banking and asset management experience working with the international institutions in London – HSBC Bank, NatWest Bank, The Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, Bank of Montreal (BMO)-Nesbitt Burns, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – World Bank Group, Washington D.C. and Johannesburg South Africa;  and the UBA Group in Lagos, Nigeria as the Pioneer Managing Director/CEO of UBA Global Markets (“UBAGM”), the investment banking subsidiary of United Bank for Africa from August 2005 to January 2009. Under his stewardship, DLM won numerous awards including the best debt house 2011 and best investment bank 2012. Mr. Ayere is a member of the Nigerian Bond Steering Committee, SEC committee on Market structure & reforms, the Steering Committee for the review of the Foreclosure and Securitization Law of Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria (“CBN”) FSS2020 Technical Steering Committee. He holds an MA (Hons.) in Financial Economics from the University of Dundee, Scotland.

 

 

 

Proshare Nigeria Pvt. Ltd.

 

Good Intentions, Bad Optics For Governance

The reasoning for the foundation is not a problem and should not be a subject of a debate. The issue however is with the launch signaling, timing, linkage to the exchange and role of the principal progenitor in current status. It is all about corporate governance which according to Advocate Johan Myburgh “is not a matter of right or wrong; it is more nuanced than that.” The nuance is exemplified in the optics.

 

This was an Oscar Onyema who was the CEO of the NSE but decided to seat for the exams of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), passed and thus conferred esteem upon the practice members. He is, and has always been committed to market best practice and this is the threshold with which the current optics is being viewed.

 

The deployment of socially uplifting projects in pursuit of the common good seldom succeed when deployed under a cloud of ethical and governance challenges. Instead of saluting Oscar however for the launch as he did it, we may unfortunately end up seeing him as a conspicuous victim here of his own good track record to date on the subject of best practice and higher standards corporate governance.

 

There must be a more cogent explanation for the role of the exchange beyond rules, conventions and privileges given what we know of the man and his service pedigree. I am not aware of any known case of any wrongdoing against the CEO but believe that the elimination of ‘incestuous relationships’ is critical to the functioning of the exchange CEO in the discharge of the CEO’s responsibilities.

 

Oscar N. Onyema OON is the CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), a position he was employed to on 4 April 2011; and for which he is currently serving a second five-year term. He has over twenty years working experience in the United States of America‘s financial markets and the Nigerian information technology sector. Onyema is also the Chairman of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, a fellow and member of the Governing Council  of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria (CIS), the President of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), a Global Agenda Council member of the World Economic Forum (WEF), member of the Board of Trustees of the Investors’ Protection Fund (IPF), and he serves on the boards of all subsidiaries of The Exchange, National Pension Commission of Nigeria, FMDQ OTC PLC.

 

In his work coverage, he had served as the senior vice president and chief administrative officer at American Stock Exchange (Amex), which he joined in 2001 and has the unique distinction of being the first person of colour to hold that position, and was instrumental in integrating the Amex equity business into the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Euronext equity business after the latter’s acquisition of Amex in 2008. He then managed the NYSE Amex equity trading business, which he helped position as a premier market for small and mid-cap securities.

 

Oscar, an alumnus of Harvard Business School where he completed the Advanced Management Program, is no slouch and he knows his onions.

 

It is this level of responsibility, engagement and exposure that defines minimum expectations and professional conduct which makes it all the more baffling why he would allow his name to be associated with, or involved in the implied, if not apparent conflict of role situation, the launch of the Oscar N. Onyema Foundation (ONO) at the premises of the exchange presents.

 

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (as a self-regulatory organization), has done a lot of work in the areas of corporate governance and has adopted best practices as a key element in achieving its vision and mission. This is well articulated and demonstrated by its governing board - the National Council of the Exchange - who  regards corporate governance as fundamentally important to the discharge of its responsibilities and its conduct in all its dealings with its stakeholders.

 

It would thus stand to reason therefore that any appearance of conflict will be an issue to be addressed under risks associated with the executive committee’s mandate.

 


Proshare Nigeria Pvt. Ltd.

L–R: Florence Otedola (Dj Cuppy), Trustee, Oscar N. Onyema Foundation (ONO); Mrs. Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, Trustee, ONO Foundation; Mr. Bola Adeeko, Head, Shared Services Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE);  Oscar N. Onyema OON, Founder, ONO Foundation; Babatunde Folawiyo, Chairman, Board of Trustees, ONO Foundation and Erelu Angela Adebayo, National Council Member, NSE during the Closing Gong Ceremony in commemoration for the Unveiling of The Oscar N. Onyema Foundation, at the Stock Exchange House on August 17, 2018.

 

 

Identifying Risks And Concerns

This Friday escapade and the questions it threw up, ought to have been an issue which the governing council ought to have addressed its minds to prior to the event; and immediately afterwards vis-à-vis the obvious corporate governance implications arising therefrom, in a clime like ours and at a time like this; especially when juxtaposed against our recent history of an incestuous relationship-biased regulatory environment, and the steps needed to restore confidence in the financial market system, nay the capital market.

 

The fact that, three or more years after, the board of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria has not been officially constituted illuminates actions taken by a SRO operating in a governance challenged environment more clearly.

 

Taking together, a common view of the ONO foundation profile the existence or implied infusion of a real or perceived conflict of interest or/and role situation on face value; at the minimum.

 

An attempt to articulate and decouple the two roles the CEO of the exchange seeks to play here is both a matter of precedence and corporate governance ethos at the exchange.

 

The primary concerns relate to the determination of the following:

1.   As an employee of the exchange, was there a need for, and was a request made, and an approval granted by the Council of the Exchange.

a.  Was there an approval for the CEO to serve as a trustee and board member of a privately funded foundation named after him?

b.   Would having a foundation bearing his name and having some aspects of its objects similar to undertaking by the exchange’s CSR plan have led to a consequential review of best efforts (including for example the mentoring program)?

c.   Would conducting such a launch in the exchange and deploying its resources in the public engagements require an approval? and

d.  Did the council consider it fit and proper to approve the hosting of a bell ringing session for the CEO, an otherwise revered activity reserved as a sending-off gesture by the exchange for deserving executives; especially when such administrative approvals were vested in the CEO (the beneficiary in this case)?

2.   Is it an allowable practice for a serving CEO to hold a board/trustee position in a private entity (including an NGO with related parties on board) while in office?

3.  Are there provisions for handling co-board positions with directly related party(ies) of a listed entity in the code and are there waivers for this?

4.  Are there disclosure of a conflict of interest or role requirements for:

a.      The exchange’s CEO where such a proposition presents itself?

b.      Any member with direct or indirect dealings with the exchange? 

c.       The elimination of safeguards or wall between the exchange and the foundation?

5.   What advisory will the NSE provide to firms who approach it seeking guidance in deciding which social cause (CSR) is priority to the exchange between NSE’s CSR activities (corporate cancer funding, schools program etc) and the ONO foundation’s programs?

6. Would the duplicitous representation not serve to convey and deliver an “unintended consequence” on stakeholders involved with the exchange, who would feel the pressure and compulsion to “support” the CEO’s foundation as part of ‘good relationship management?

7.   Would such support contributions not qualify as in-kind benefits or/and possibly a vehicle for the inducement of a principal officer of the exchange?

8.  Under what circumstance is such a practice allowable for other executive committee members who may also be so motivated to pursue such socially beneficial cause(s)?

 

A review of these possible scenarios and best practice cases guided us to reaching a position, if not a conclusion – that this was a bad precedence and one that the market and principals need to work together on by elevating thought to resolve along the lines of institution building.

 

 

Legality And Capital Market Governance

As a collective, we seem to have come a long way from the 2008 discourse level which by 2014 had produced an NSE well aware of the need for a higher standard of corporate governance as Oscar Onyema himself brilliantly espoused in this 2014 presentation below.

 

Proshare Nigeria Pvt. Ltd.

Click Here to Download Corporate Governance: Ideas & Changes in the Nigerian Capital Market PDF Report

 

Nigerians have since risen up and humiliated their political class over its handling of financial conduct, and particularly of the level of impairment evident in the regulators ability to rise above the numerous incestuous relationships they are often cluttered with.

 

Indeed and sadly, the generality of the public have come to accept and see nothing terribly unusual about their sense of powerlessness and alienation from the responsibility imperative of regulators, which it has been proven collectively, brought us to the state where we felt a wholesome change was need in our markets in 2010.

 

If we cannot change behavior at the level of the sovereign, we can at least do this effectively at the level of industry and thus help provide teachable lessons for the development of the culture required to raise governance standards in the country and create a veritable example for listed entities.

 

This is one of such unique opportunities.

 

Moving on from here would require more than compliance with existing rules, conventions, laws and statutes – it requires setting new standards beyond rules to help us untangle roles and relationships.

 

 

Conflict of Interest – Overcoming Potential Impediments

Conflict of interest is difficult to define, yet it often appears obvious to many people who think they know it when they see it. If ever there was an issue that captures this sentiment, this foundation launch offers us an opportunity to discuss the grey areas inherent in our codes and how we should walk through them.

 

The legal definition of conflict of interest, usually set out in conventions, rules and laws governing non-profit entities and indeed SRO’s, is very specific and covers relatively few situations. Most conflicts fall into the ‘grey area’ where ethics and public perception are more relevant than statutes or precedents.

 

For this purpose, conflict of interest is therefore placed in the background to raise the much informed argument about the ‘conflict of roles’ which arises whenever the personal or professional responsibilities of a market-based entity and board member appear to be potentially at odds with the best interests and objectives of the market as a fair and level playing space.

 

Such possible areas of conflict (in roles/interest) can be narrowed down to the following ‘cultural’ issues, viz:

·         Conflict by association – linkage of the exchange to the foundation;

·         Conflict arising from relationship with board members;

·         Conflict arising from professional responsibility;

·         Conflict arising from precedence; and

·         Conflict arising from related parties and entanglement.

 

It is obvious that there is so much to unpack here. I must however crave the markets indulgence to draw a close on this memo on the premise established – i.e. that the appearance of a conflict of interest is a minimum criteria for council oversight in the affairs of the NSE.

 

While it is my hope and expectation that responsible parties singled out here will respond and take appropriate actions; it comforts me to leave you with the words of Bishop Desmond Tutu, from whom we may draw the inspiration needed to act in the circumstance, viz:

 

We must not allow ourselves to become like the system we oppose. We cannot afford to use methods of which we will be ashamed when we look back, when we say, '...we shouldn't have done that.' We must remember, my friends, that we have been given a wonderful cause. The cause of freedom! And you and I must be those who will walk with heads held high. We will say, 'We used methods that can stand the harsh scrutiny of history.'”

 

Thank you.

 

 

Proshare Nigeria Pvt. Ltd.

 

 

Quick Recall of Past Market Memorandum(s)

1.       Memo To The Market: The Oando Corporate Journey – At The Regulators Gate ... - Proshare Nov 22, 2017

2.      Leadership, Change and Corporate Transformation – The Nigerian Experience ... - Proshare Nov 07, 2017  

3.      Memo to the Market: Reappointing Arunma Oteh as DG, SEC - Proshare Dec 31, 2014

4.      Where Nigeria got it Wrong - Proshare Dec 01, 2014

5.      The Surprising New Math of Acquisition of Banks in Nigeria - Proshare Oct 24, 2014

6.      How To Buy A Nigerian Bank With No Money - Proshare May 10, 2015

1.       Memo To Oscar Onyema, The CEO Nigerian Stock ... - Proshare May 20, 2011

7.      Fundamental Considerations for Capital Market Reforms in Nigeria ... - Proshare Sept 06, 2010

8.     SEC, Udo Udoma and Corporate Governance: The Fact Files - Proshare [PDF] Feb 18, 2010

9.      The Bull in the China Shop – A New Paradigm in the Banking Sector (analysis of the SLS Intervention) ... - Proshare Aug 21, 2009

10.  The Bull in the China Shop 220809 - Proshare [PDF] Aug 22, 2009

 

 

Proshare Nigeria Pvt. Ltd.

 

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