Mr. Money! About Awa Ibraheem…The Safety Deposit Box of Nigerian Governors
You never see him coming. And you are never likely to run into him at social gatherings or where champagnes are being popped with school-boy abandon. Patently unobtrusive and easy-going, yet, Dr Abdul Wahab Awa Ibraheem, the CEO of ICMA (Integrated Consultancy Management Accountants) Professional Services, a leading public revenue consulting firm, is as wealthy and connected as they come.
Though he enjoys the good life that his connections and consultancy firm have offered him in bountiful bounds, Dr Ibraheem keeps a low profile, preferring to make money in tonnes and enjoy the comfort of his luxury cars; or the company of his two wives, one of who is OJ, theChief Executive Officer of Glamour Lounge Salon and Spa in Ikeja, Lagos. The other is Faridah and she is not doing badly in her own right. When not at work, you might find him on different golf courses around the world or watching his favourite team, the Manchester United Football Club.
For clarity, Dr Ibraheem’s company provides professional services to state governments and private organizations by bringing the benefits of private sector-efficiency to bear on the operations of the public sector while also supporting the former with cutting edge services. ICMA’s services are benchmarked on enduring quality and integrity of purpose while its core value hinges on the belief that success comes only when the client is satisfied.
To maintain the lead in today’s competitive environment therefore, the ICMA’s service delivery strategies are fashioned not only to meet the demands of the client, but to surpass the expectations thereby creating a long lasting progressive relationship. This is Ibraheem’s USP and he has penetrated several state governments where he is on partnership to drive their Internally Generated Revenues.
In the course of doing that, Ibraheem has made good for himself and his clients who trust him to always keep his side of the bargain with them and protect their interests for the future. Stories have been told about how he ensures that his client-governors benefit immensely from whatever accrues to him in their states, which ensures that every party is happy and feel secured about their money.
A 1982 First Class Accounting graduate of the University of Lagos, Dr Ibraheem, who turns 66 this year, has served on the boards of New Africa Merchant Bank, Lagos; Arewa Hotels, Kaduna; Nigeria Hotels, Lagos; Zaranda Hotels, Bauchi; Festac 77 Hotels, Lagos; Shiroro Hotels, Minna; Kwara Hotels, Ilorin among others. Dr Ibraheem who holds a Ph.D in Management Science from the University of Ilorin was also at various times the Chairman, Oak Pension Funds Administrators, Oceanic Health Management Organisation, Prime Metro Properties and Express Portfolio Services, among other blue-chip organisations. (The Capital NG)