TheCable

Polly Alakija has been appointed as the director-general (DG) of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation.

The foundation announced Alakija’s appointment in a press statement on Monday.

The British board-level executive replaces Jacqueline Farris who retired as DG but remains an active member of the board of directors.

In the statement, Farris expressed gratitude for serving the foundation and pledged continuous commitment to promoting national unity, good governance, and social justice in Nigeria.

“It has been my sincere pleasure to have served the Yar’Adua foundation since the organization was established in 1998. It has also been my privilege to have led a team of committed and passionate staff to sustain the legacy of one of Nigeria’s foremost contemporary leaders and inspire future generations with his life of service,” she said.

“After almost twenty-five years, I will retire as director general but remain an active member of the Board of Directors where I will continue to support the foundation in its mission to promote national unity, good governance and social justice in Nigeria.”

Alakija, the new DG, is an experienced board-level executive with a demonstrable history of sound project management and leadership skills.

Alakija served as an advisor to Aliko Dangote Foundation. She was chairperson of the Lagos State Council of Arts and Culture, and founder of Five Cowries Arts Education Initiative. She is a trustee of JRandle Centre of Yoruba culture Lagos; a board member of Alliance Française, Lagos, and she sits on the transitionary advisory board for the Mayor of London (Sadiq Khan), World City Culture Forum.

Her appointment is effective August 1, 2022.