Revelling Jim Ovia In The City Of London (Editorial)

The enrolment of Mr Jim Ovia into the Freedom of the City of London on April 7, 2025, is a triumph of the zeal of the Zenith Bank founder and chairman in his pursuit of entrepreneurship.

Following a string of testimonials locally and abroad, the admission into the City of London recognizes Jim Ovia’s outstanding contributions to international finance.

Of course, few would dispute the appropriateness of the City of London bequeathing such an honour.

The Freedom of the City of London started around 1237 as the status of a ‘free man’ or ‘citizen’, protected by the charter of the City of London. Awardees were seen as not being under the prerogative of a feudal lord.

GWG.ng joins with men and women of goodwill across the world to give Mr Ovia his flowers for his achievements in international finance. We affirm that Mr Ovia’s successes crystalised in what he has made of Zenith Bank, and thereon, his acts of philanthropy to community and country recommend him for glory.

We note with satisfaction that some of Nigeria’s most admirable personalities led by President Olusegun Obasanjo were on hand to witness the conquest of Mr Ovia as he joined some global icons who have attained the status of freemen as it were into the city of London.

Among the icons he now shares this honour with are the late Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Sir Winston Churchill, Desmond Tutu, Harry Kane, Morgan Freeman, and Ian Wright.

When Nigerians doing good get their flowers on account of the positive impact they make it is an assurance that the expectation of greatness that many expect to surge from Nigeria is still possible.

We note with pleasure that in a nation where many Big Men are associated with underlying scandal and sleaze, Mr Ovia’s persona has been largely unscathed.

GWG.ng salutes the courage of Mr Jim Ovia in striding and shaping a pattern of good works that have cut him out for this honour in London.

We recommend him as a worthy example to other Nigerians.

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