Mr. Bayo Osibo (Chairman) is an alumnus of the School of Eloquence and became the first Chairman of the Board of the School of Eloquence in April, 2016. He is the immediate past Managing Director and Chief Executive of Portland Paints Nigeria Plc., a position he held until June 28th 2013 and was subsequently appointed as a Non-Executive Director. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Bio-Chemistry from University of Ibadan and an MBA from University of Lagos. He is a distinguished and respected authority in the Paints Industry in Nigeria.
He is a Life Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Corporate Management as well as a fellow of the Institute of Marketing. He was the former Chairman of Paints Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (1999-2003) He joined Portland Paints Nigeria Ltd, then a Subsidiary of WAPCO in 1984 as the National Sales Manager. His excellent performance saw him rise through the ranks to become the Managing Director and Chief Executive in March 2004, when Lafarge divested from PPPNL.
Ubong Essien (Dean), CSP is Nigeria’s first Certified Speaking Professional. He is a renowned motivator and the publisher of Nigeria’s monthly motivational paper, The Achievers Journal. He is also the Dean of the public speaking training centre known as The School of Eloquence based in Lagos and London.
He has been in the human capacity building profession since 1999 and has worked as a speaker, trainer, facilitator and consultant to a variety of Nigerian organizations in both private and public sectors such as Guinness Plc, AIICO Insurance, Fidelity Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Nigeria LNG, May and Baker, First Registrars, Nigerian Tribune, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Voice of Nigeria (VON), Lagos & Imo State Governments, John Holt Engineering, UAC Plc, UAC Property Development Company, Tastee Fried Chicken, HP Nigeria, Nigerian Bottling Company Plc, MDS, CAP Plc, and Brila 88.9FM.
In 2007, he convened the first ever International Speakers Summit in Nigeria featuring Lenora Billings-Harris, president of the National Speakers Association (USA) and Robyn Pearce, Worldwide President of the International Federation of Professional Speakers.
Dubbed Nigeria’s Mister Motivator for his pioneering role in motivational lectures on television since 2002 and winner of the coveted SuccessDigest Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the same year, Ubong specializes in motivating people towards personal and professional excellence and training in public speaking skills. He is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), USA and the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD).
Ubong is also the author of two books Dare to Dream & Succeed and The Gates Way to Riches.
Honourable Chris Chigoziri Asoluka (Member), is the Managing Director of FM & T Consulting Group. The organization provides strategic consulting services to public and private sectors, especially on shipping, trade and finance matters.
A 1979 graduate of the University of Ibadan, he holds a B.Sc (Hons) in Political Science; M.Sc in International Economic Relations and LL.B (Hons) from the University of London. He also holds M.Sc in Finance and ShippingTrade of City University Business School, City University, London.
A respected public affairs commentator, Asoluka has written and delivered several lead papers at conferences within and outside Nigeria.
Asoluka worked for over 13 years in Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
A member of the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1993 where he was Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Asoluka also served as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development of Imo State from 1994 to 1996; Chairman, Committee of Finance Commissioners in Nigeria 1994 to 1996 and Chairman, Federal Budget Review Committee in 1995.
Chris Asoluka is the immediate past Chairman, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority. He is also the Managing Director of FM&T Consulting Group, Chairman of Somatrade Limited and Principal Counsel of XanderMay Consulting.
Mrs. Tonye Unuigbe (member) is an alumna of the School of Eloquence and member of the school’s board. She is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Tisons Limited, a notable publishing outfit based in Lagos, Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language from the University of Ibadan and a Master’s Degree in English Language from the University of Lagos. She is an avid reader, well-travelled and a philanthropist.
Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN) is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He attended the University of Lagos between 1974 and 1977 and holds an LLB (Hons) Degree of the university. He subsequently attended the University of London (London School of Economics and Political Science) where he obtained an LL.M IN 1982.
Mr. Sowemimo was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978. He worked between 1978-1979 at the Niger State Ministry of Justice, Minna and Legal Aid Council, Minna. He joined the firm of Messrs.’ Fani-Kayode & Sowemimo in September 1979 and practiced in the firm until August 1978, undertaking both litigation and solicitor work. The clientele of the firm included several banks, oil companies and commercial houses. The litigation work undertaken by the firm cut across all courts from the High Courts to the Supreme Court, and was appointed a Notary Public in February 1985 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
He set up his own law firm under the name; SEYI SOWEMIMO & CO. in August 1998 and remains to date the principal partner in the firm, undertaking largely corporate work and litigation matters. He was appointed senior Advocate of Nigeria by Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee in July 1999. The work of the firm is diverse: it includes arbitration work and they also conduct matters in different parts of the country. He is a member of the international Bar Association, LSE Alumni Association and he has authored a number of Articles on legal issues including; Arbitration and the Judicial Process, The Attorney General and the Public Interest, The Judiciary and the need for an Ombudsman, and a review of the decision of the Supreme Court in Fawehinmi vs. Abacha.
He acted as lead counsel to a judicial Panel of Enquiry set up by the Federal Government in 2005 to enquire into and make recommendation concerning a military/civilian clash in different parts in Lagos State.