The Cadbury Nigeria Director of Corporate and Government Affairs, West Africa, Bala Yesufu, has retired, six years after joining the beverage-producing company.
In a statement by the company, it stated that the retirement was effective from the 19th of March after years of meritorious service.
It said that Yesufu’s influence saw the company’s stock rise and its relationship, especially with the government across levels grow healthier.
“Bala brought his vast wealth of experience to bear during his stint with Cadbury, to the extent that he deployed his good relationship with government to unlock regulatory logjams and got issues resolved in a jiffy. Under his stewardship, the Company enjoyed cordial relationship with its various publics particularly governments at all levels, host communities, regulatory bodies, and the media. He was instrumental in strengthening Cadbury’s corporate reputation with critical stakeholders.
“He also helped to maintain, build and expand our network of high level contacts within the various tiers of government, parastatals, agencies and the legislature. In addition, as Chairman of Cadbury Export Business Steering Committee, he established a professional export business framework incorporating cutting-edge transactional logistics and revenue management,” the statement read.
Yesufu was the Public Affairs Manager of Nigerian Breweries Plc in Abuja before pitching tents with Cadbury in 2013.
He managed various portfolios at the Nigerian Breweries during his 21- year career with the most celebrated being the establishment of a professional export market/business development framework, and management of the Heineken brand which is regarded as the poster product of the Heineken family.
Yesufu is an author and a former Board member of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) and is a Past Assistant Governor of Rotary International.
He is also a member of several professional and industrial associations as well as social and recreational clubs.
Just recently, Yesufu ran a programme in Agbede Community, Edo State, alongside E.A Iginla and was well praised by all and sundry. The programme saw medical experts conduct eye examinations on geriatrics and surgical operations for people with cataracts and glaucoma. Diabetes tests and others were also ran at the programme. He has also been widely hailed for his efforts in making his community a better one.
