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P R O F I L E A N D
C U R I C U L U M V I T A E
OF
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PROFILE OF
BENJAMIN EZRA DIKKI, B.Sc, MBA, ACS
Benjamin Ezra Dikki was appointed Acting Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises on 27th November 2012. Since his appointment Mr Dikki has registered the following achievements among others:
Taken steps that has restored staff morale and improved their attitude to work
Played an active role in the resolution of the PHCN Labour issues that culminated in the signing of the agreement with Labour. This was a major bottleneck to the reforms of the power sector and privatization of the PHCN successor companies
Provided leadership and guidance that led to the Bidders of PHCN Companies paying 25% of the bid price: a key milestone in the success of the power sector reforms
Spear headed the presentation and approval of eight reform bills by the National Council on Privatization that if enacted will have a major impact on the Nigerian economy
Prior to his appointment as Acting Director General, Mr Dikki was appointed Director in the Bureau of Public Enterprises on 1st December 2004. As a Director, he has
served in many Departments of the Bureau of Public Enterprises starting with Department of Power and Communications where he served as Director from 1st
December 2004 to 15th February 2005. During this brief period, he facilitated the
passage of the Power Sector Reform Bill 2005 which removed the monopoly power of NEPA and led to its unbundling into eighteen successor companies for privatization. The Department under his leadership also did the ground work that led to the transaction where Orascom emerged as preferred bidder for NITEL/MTEL. The transaction was however aborted because Orascom’s bid price was below the reserved price. Mr Dikki also facilitated the conduct of Consultant studies that produced the inception report that led to the formulation of the Postal Sector Policy and draft bill. Extensive stakeholder inputs were obtained through direct contacts, seminars and workshops to ensure widespread acceptability of the finding of the studies. He also oversaw similar studies for the Media Sector that was intent on defining the sector policy and the parameters for their commercialization.
From 16th February to 30th April 2005, Mr Dikki served as Director Finance and
Management Support, the Department charged with the provision of general administrative support for the organization that included Information Technology, Human Resource management, Finance and Accounts and the Central Procurement Unit that is responsible for procurements under the World Bank PSP loans and DFID grants. There was no disruption of service throughout the period he took charge of the Department.
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Mr Dikki was later assigned to take charge of the Department of Transport and Aviation from 1st May 2005 to February 2006. He supervised the reform
initiatives in the transport sector –Railways, Inland Water ways, Ports/Harbours and Roads. These reform initiatives included the review of the Policies, Legal, Regulatory and Institutional frameworks and formulating new ones that would allow private sector participation. The result is the draft policy and bill for each of the transport modes. Mr Dikki also ensured the advancement of the ground work that was required for the concession of the Ports/Harbours and the Abuja Airport. The Abuja airport transaction was later cancelled.
From March 2006 to March 2009, Mr Dikki had another stint with the telecommunications sector, first as Director Communications and Capital Markets from March to July 2006 and also from August 2006 to March 2009 as Director Information and Communications. He supervised the core investor sale of NITEL/MTEL which led to the conclusion of the sale transaction and handover of the enterprise to Transcorp. It was also during this period that the Postal Sector Policy and draft bill were concluded. The draft bill and policy were then put through extensive stakeholder exposure through circularisation, workshops and seminars. The feedback were reflected in the final documents. Work is still on going to facilitate the Commercialization of the Media enterprises, NTA, NAN, FRCN and NFC.
The Department of Oil and Gas was the next Department supervised by Mr Dikki from March to August 2009. It was during this period that President Yar’adua set up a committee chaired by Dr Rilwan Lukman to review the reform initiatives in the Power and Oil Sectors. Besides providing the information and support required by the Rilwan committee, residual matters on the sale of Oil Services Companies were also attended to.
After the revocation of the sale of NITEL/MTEL to Transcorp, Mr Dikki was again posted to the Department of Information and Communications from August 2009 to 2nd March 2011. He successfully oversaw another sale transaction that
New Generation Consortium emerged as the preferred bidder. The investor could not however pay the bid price and the transaction was cancelled. During this period, Postal Sector Policy and draft bill were concluded and approved by the National Council on Privatization. They were presented before the Federal Executive Council for approval and were referred to the Attorney General along with other reform bills for review. Similarly, studies by Consultants that provided the basis for the definition of sector policy for the media enterprises and also defined the parameters for their commercialization were concluded. The next steps to draft the policies and necessary bills to amend the existing decrees setting up each of the media enterprises were commenced.
Mr Dikki took over duties as the Director Industries and Services on 3rd March
2011. He supervises activities leading to the privatization or concession of enterprises in the industrial, manufacturing and services sectors of the economy. The Department has made policy inputs on the negative effect of
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tariffs on the growth and development of the automobile industry and recommended incentives that can help the industry grow.
Mr Dikki has served on the Boards (regular and technical) of several companies, among which are: Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited, NITEL/MTEL Plc, NICON Insurance Plc, Nigerian Re-Insurance Plc and the defunct NEPA.
Additionally, Mr Dikki has served in various high level Federal Government Committees that were chaired by Ministers and had other high ranking Government officials as members. Some of these were: Presidential Taskforce on NITEL/MTEL Labour Restructuring, Presidential Committee on NIGCOMSAT, VP Committee on Tafawa Balewa Square and Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, VP Committee on New Nigerian Newspapers, NCP Committee on NITEL/MTEL Transaction and the Oil and Gas Industry Committee.
Before joining the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr Dikki has worked as a Consultant with Galaxie Securities Limited from 13th July 1995 to November
2005. He was Managing Director of First Atlantic Securities Limited form October 1991 to 12th July 1995, a stock broking company he jointly promoted and
obtained a licence for from the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The firm was rated then among the top ten Stock Broking firms by the Nigerian Stock Exchange in terms of trading volumes. This feat was achieved in the first year of operation (1992). Mr Dikki was also at the same time the Executive Director of First Credit Trust Limited, a finance house licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Prior to this, Mr Dikki had worked with Continental Merchant Bank (Former Chase Merchant Bank) form October 1988 to October 1991. He served in various capacities after emerging the second best student in the Banks
Corporate Banking Course that was then acknowledged as the best in the
Country. Mr Dikki set up the Mergers and Acquisition Unit of the Bank and was also among the Pioneer staff that set up the CMB Securitas Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Merchant Bank, Licensed by the Central Bank and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Mr Dikki set up the Capital & Money Markets Division of the company.
After the National Service with the Chad Basin Development Authority in Maiduguri from August 1980 to July 1981, Mr Dikki was employed by the Health Services Management Board, Sokoto, as an Accountant from September 1981 to August 1985. He served as the Pioneer Territorial Accountant, NITEL, Kano Territory, from September 1985 to October 1988 when the Telecoms arm of P&T was merged with NET Ltd to form NITEL.
Mr Dikki holds a B.Sc degree in Accounting (1980) and an MBA (1985) all from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He was Licensed as a Stockbroker in June 1993.
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Mr Dikki has attended several courses and seminars, among which is the Strategic Management Training Programme from the Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, from September 29 to October 17, 2008 as well as several other courses in Nigeria and abroad.
Mr Dikki was born December 30, 1958, is married with three biological children and adopted ones. He is form Zuru Local Government of Kebbi State.
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C U R I C U L U M V I T A E
BENJAMIN EZRA DIKKI BSc, MBA, ACS
QUALIFICATIONS
/
EDUCATION Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria –
June 1993
Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered)
Diploma in Corporate Banking, Continental Merchant Bank’s Corporate
Banking School – June 1989 – Dec. 1989
M.B.A. (1985), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – 1983/1984
B.Sc. (Accounting, 1980), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria –1977 to 1980
I.J.M.B. (1977), University of Maiduguri – 1975 to 1977
W.A.S.C. (1975), Government Secondary Technical School, Kontagora –
1971 to 1975
COURSES ATTENDED
Policy, Strategy and Leadership Course (6): June 18th to July 6th,
2012. National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Jos.
Effective Project Management Course: November 02 to 06, 2009.
Lagos Business School, Lagps
Strategic Management Training Programme: September 29 to
October 17, 2008.
Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa
Executive Team Leadership Course: December 4 to 6, 2007 by LBS
Pan-African University
Public Private Partnership Course: November 26 to 28, 2007 by Jeff &
O’Brien Training International held in Abuja
Organizational Communication and Advanced Presentations Skills
for Leadership and Team Building Course: June 29 to 30, 2007 by
Theos Consulting, Abuja
Workshop on Public Service Rules and Procedures: June 3 to 7,
2007: by The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Establishment and Pensions Office, held in Minna.
Capital Market Rules and Regulations: July 26 to 28, 2006
Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers /Nigerian Capital Market Institute.
Innovations in Road Management and Finance: Oct 23 to Nov 4,
2005: by University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Workshop on Preparation, Presentation and Marketing of Public
Issues: April 1991 by the Nigerian Stock Exchange
Team Work
Decision Making
Managing Difficult Persons: Jan. 1991 by Cornerstone Professional
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Corporate Banking Course: June 1989 – Dec. 1989, Continental
Merchant Bank Training School.
Mergers and Acquisition Course: Oct. 1990 by International Centre for
Monetary and Banking Studies – Geneva.
Advanced Capital Markets Course: July 1990 by DC Gardner’s, London.
Selling Skills Course: Mar. 1990 by DC Gardner’s London.
WORKING EXPERIENCE:
ACTING DIRECTOR GENERAL BUREAU OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES 27th
November 2012 TO Date
Appointed acting Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprise by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
DIRECTOR, INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES, BUREAU OF PUBLIC
ENTERPRISES, 3rd March 2011 TO 26th November 2012
Duties:
Supervision of activities leading to the privatization of enterprises in the industrial, manufacturing and services sectors of the economy: Engagement of transaction advisers, evaluation of investors, facilitating the conduct of investor due diligence, evaluation of technical bids, preparation of transaction documents, conduct of bidding session, negotiations of sale terms and contractual documents with preferred bidders and transfer of enterprises to preferred bidders
Obtaining of approvals from committees of the National Council on Privatization and NCP as well as making inputs on policy issue to the NCP.
Supervision of the concession of national facilities: facilitating conduct of investor due diligence, evaluation of bids and structuring of concession contracts/agreements
Supervision of the processes of the liquidation of enterprises under the guided liquidation process and ensuring their hand over to core investors
Periodic review of factors affecting various sectors of the industry and making policy recommendations to government
Assist the Director General in policy formulation and smooth running of the Bureau.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Progression of transactions to various stages of completion
Near completion of liquidation transactions
Made policy inputs on the negative effect of tariffs on the growth and development of the automobile industry and incentives that can help the industry grow
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Facilitation of Resolution of transaction related issues: Labour matters, Legal issues and court cases, stakeholder disputes etc.
DIRECTOR, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION, BUREAU OF PUBLIC
ENTERPRISES, 25th AUGUST 2009 to 2nd March 2011:
Duties:
Supervision of activities leading to the privatization of NITEL/MTEL: Engagement of transaction advisers, evaluation of investors, facilitating the conduct of investor due diligence, evaluation of technical bids, preparation of transaction documents, conduct of bidding session, negotiations with preferred bidder and transfer of enterprises to preferred bidder
Reform of the Postal Sector – Coordinating the development of Sector Policy framework, Establishment of a Legal, Regulatory and institutional framework, obtaining approval of policy and facilitation of the enactment of the postal sector bill, restructuring of NIPOST into new business units and privatization/commercialization of the new business units to be created.
Responsible for the reform activities leading to the Commercialization of the Media enterprises, NTA, NAN, FRCN and NFC
Assist the Director General in policy formulation and smooth running of the Bureau.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Conclusion of the sale transaction process of the sale of NITEL/MTEL to New Generation Consortium, though the investor could not pay the bid price.
Conclusion of the formulation of the Postal Sector Policy and draft bill which were approved by the National Council on Privatization and are currently before the Federal Executive Council for approval.
Conclusion of the consultant studies that would lead to the definition of sector policy for the media enterprises and also defined the parameter for their commercialization.
Facilitation of Resolution of transaction related issues: Labour matters, Legal issues and court cases, stakeholder disputes etc.
DIRECTOR, OIL AND GAS, BUREAU OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES, 30TH March
2009 TO 24th August 2009
Duties:
Facilitation of the Reforms of the Oil and Gas Sector of the Nigerian Economy – Implementation of the Oil and Gas Sector Policy Framework, design and Establishment of a Legal, Regulatory and Institutional Framework, facilitation of Enactment of the Petroleum Industry Bill, Restructuring NNPC and Implementing the new Institutional Structure as
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will be enacted by The National Assembly, Privatization/commercialization of the new entities as may be applicable.
Privatization of the refineries: Engagement of transaction advisers, evaluation of investors, facilitating the conduct of investor due diligence, evaluation of technical bids, preparation of transaction documents, conduct of bidding session, negotiations with preferred bidder and transfer of enterprises to preferred bidder.
Conduct of due diligence and Consolidation of the Nigerian Gas Company, Petroleum Products and Pipelines Marketing Company and Depots into a Transport Logistics Company, Creation of Concession Lots and Concessioning of the lots to ensure an open market access arrangement.
Conclusion of the privatization of the Stallion Properties Development Company assets.
Conclusion of residual issues on the privatization of Oil Services Companies.
Assist the Director General in policy formulation and smooth running of the Bureau.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Concluded residual issues on the privatization of Oil Services Companies.
Advanced stakeholder engagement towards building a consensus that would enhance the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Facilitation of Resolution of transaction related issues: Labour matters, Legal issues and court cases, stakeholder disputes etc.
DIRECTOR, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION, BUREAU OF PUBLIC
ENTERPRISES, AUGUST 2006 TO MARCH 2009
Duties:
Supervision of the core investor sale of NITEL/MTEL: Engagement of transaction advisers, evaluation of investors, facilitating the conduct of investor due diligence, evaluation of technical bids, preparation of transaction documents, conduct of bidding session, negotiations with preferred bidder and transfer of enterprises to preferred bidder
Reform of the Postal Sector – Development of Sector Policy framework, Establishment of a Legal, Regulatory and institutional framework, approval of policy and enactment of the postal sector bill, restructuring of NIPOST into new business unit and privatization/commercialization of the new business units to be created.
Responsible for facilitating the Commercialization of the Media enterprises, NTA, NAN, FRCN and NFC
Assist the Director General in policy formulation and smooth running of the Bureau.
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ACHIEVEMENTS
Conclusion of the sale transaction and handover NITEL/MTEL to Transcorp.
Conclusion of the formulation of the Postal Sector Policy and draft bill and conducting of extensive stakeholder consultations through direct contacts and workshops to ensure widespread acceptability of the policy and draft bill.
Facilitation of consultant studies that would lead to the definition of sector policy for the media enterprises and also define the parameters for their commercialization.
Facilitation of Resolution of transaction related issues: Labour matters, Legal issues and court cases, stakeholder disputes etc.
DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS AND CAPITAL MARKETS, BUREAU FOR
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES MARCH to JULY 2006
Duties:
Structuring and implementing the Privatization of Nigerian Telecommunications Company (NITEL) and its subsidiary MTEL to conclude the reform of the Telecoms Sector.
Reforms of the Postal Sector – Development of Sector Policy framework, Establishment of a Legal, Regulatory and institutional framework, restructuring of NIPOST and privatization of the new business units to be created.
Divestment of residual Federal Government’s interest in enterprises that core investors have taken controlling interest through the capital market.
Responsible for facilitation of the Commercialization of the Media enterprises, NTA, NAN, FRCN and NFC
Assist the Director General in policy formulation and smooth running of the Bureau.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Conduct of preliminary work for the privatization of NITEL/MTEL..
Facilitation of consultants work for the development of the Postal Sector Policy and draft bill and conducting of extensive stakeholder consultations through direct contacts and workshops to ensure widespread acceptability of the policy and draft bill.
Facilitation of consultant studies that would lead to the definition of sector policy for the media enterprises and also define the parameters for their commercialization.
Preparation of companies for listing and offering of shares to the Nigerian public.
Facilitation of Resolution of transaction related issues: Labour matters, Legal issues and court cases, stakeholder disputes etc.
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DIRECTOR, TRANSPORT AND AVIATION BUREAU FOR PUBLIC
ENTERPRISES:1st May 2005 to Feb 2006
Duties:
The reform initiatives in the transport sector – Aviation, Railways, Inland Water ways, Ports and Harbours and Roads
Review of the Legal, Regulatory and Institutional framework and formulating new ones to allow private sector participation.
Facilitate passage of legislation to give effect to the reform initiatives.
Implementation of the privatization initiative through outright sale or concessioning.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Facilitation of the Consultants works and studies that led to the drafting of Roads, Railways, Ports and Harbour, Inland Waterways and the Transport Sector draft bills.
Commencement of collection of data for the concession of the ports and airports.
DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, BUREAU FOR
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES: 16th Feb to 30 Apr 2005
Duties:
Providing general administrative support for the organization
Provision of and maintenance of the Information Technology support for the organization
Attending to human resource matters
Supervision of the maintenance of the books and accounts of the organization and drawing up of financial statements
Running the Central Procurement Unit that is responsible for procurements under the World Bank PSP loans and DFID grants
ACHIEVEMENTS
Maintenance of a conducive work environment.
Attendance to staff welfare issues and ensuring high staff morale.
Maintenance of adequate records and books and accounts.
DIRECTOR, POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS, BUREAU FOR PUBLIC
ENTERPRISES: 1st Dec 2004 – 15th Feb 2005
Duties:
Taking all the necessary actions to Privatize NITEL, Nigeria’s erstwhile Telecoms monopoly. This includes preparing necessary information for investor due diligence checks, marketing for investors, evaluating expressions of interest and bids, etc
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Responsible for implementing the power sector reforms which include facilitating enactment of the reform law and the unbundling of NEPA, Nigeria’s electricity monopoly into successor companies for privatization.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Facilitated the passage of the Power Sector Reform Bill 2005 which led to the unbundling of NEPA into 18 successor companies for privatization.
Commencement of transaction processes that led to the bid opening ceremony of the aborted sale to Orascom.
Facilitation of the inception studies that would lead to the formulation of the Postal Sector Policy and draft bill. Obtaining of extensive stakeholder inputs through direct contacts and workshops to ensure widespread acceptability of the finding of the studies.
Facilitation of consultant studies that would lead to the definition of sector policy for the media enterprises and also define the parameters for their commercialization.
Facilitation of Resolution of transaction related issues: Labour matters, Legal issues and court cases, stakeholder disputes etc.
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, GALAXIE SECURITIES LIMITED, 13th July 1995 –
30th Nov 2004
Duties:
Financial, Investment and Management Consultants
Provision of Financial and Investment Advice to individuals
Provision of general Financial Advisory Services to corporate clients
Undertake Management Consultancy Services
Advice on Restructuring and Reorganization of Small and Medium Scale enterprises.
MANAGING DIRECTOR, FIRST ATLANTIC SECURITIES LIMITED, A Stock
Broking Firm Licensed by The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oct 1991 – 12th July,
1995.
Rated then among the top ten Stock Broking firms by the Nigerian Stock Exchange in terms of trading volumes. Feat achieved within first year of operation (1992).
DUTIES
Responsible for policy formulation and direction of the Company.
Coordination of the day to day running of the Firm.
Monitor compliance to standard operating procedures, corporate rules and regulations.
Ensure compliance with rules and regulations within the regulatory environment.
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OTHER DUTIES
Was one of the Promoters of the Company and managed it from the date of commencement of operations and obtained all the required approvals from the regulatory authorities.
Designed systems and standard operating procedures.
Recruited staff.
Defined organizational structure and corporate culture.
Designed compensation package.
Adopted relevant information technology to meet organizational requirements.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FIRST CREDIT TRUST LTD, A Finance Company
Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Oct. 1991-12th July 1995
DUTIES
Assisted the Chief Executive in policy formulation and direction of the Company.
Oversee the running of Firm and subsidiaries.
Monitor compliance to standard operating procedures, and corporate rules and regulations.
Ensure compliance with rules and regulations within the regulatory environment.
OTHER DUTIES
Was one of the Promoters of the Company and managed it from the date of commencement of operations and obtained all the required approvals from the regulatory authorities.
Designed systems and standard operating procedures.
Recruited staff.
Defined organizational structure and corporate culture Designed promotional and advert policy.
Designed compensation package.
Adopted relevant information technology to meet the requirements of the organization.
HEAD OF DIVISION, CMB SECURITIES LIMITED, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Continental Merchant Bank, a Finance Company Licensed by CBN AND NSE,
April 1991 – Oct 1991
Pioneer Head of Capital & Money Markets Division.
DUTIES:
Packaging of issues for listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Bills discounting and other money market operations.
Fund Management.
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Member, Continental Merchant Bank’s Securitisation Committee. Participated in finding creative ways of packaging and selling Continental Merchant Bank’s receivables (Loan Portfolio) in the Secondary Market.
PIONEER HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, CONTINENTAL MERCHANT BANK
LIMITEDS Mergers and Acquisition Department, Jan. 1990 – March 1991
DUTIES:
Advise companies on acquisitions – include acquisition strategies and identification of targets.
Advise companies on divestitures.
Packaging of approval documents and obtaining approvals from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Nigeria Stock Exchange.
Post Merger Advise.
SENIOR CREDIT ANALYST, Credit & Marketing Department, CONTINENTAL
MERCHANT BANK, Oct. 1988 – June 1989
Duties
Managing relationship with Corporate Account holders
Packaging credits (Loans and Advances)
Recovery of bad Loans
Provision of advisory services
PIONEER TERRITORIAL ACCOUNTANT, NITEL, KANO Territory, Sept. 1985 -
Oct.1988
Duties
Responsible for all the Territory’s Finance functions
Revenue recording and Collection
Ensuring financial and expenditure controls
Maintenance of books and accounts and drawing up of final accounts
Maintenance of Payroll system
ACCOUNTANT, HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT BOARD, SOKOTO, Sept.
1985 – Aug. 1985
Duties:
Maintenance of Books and Accounts
Maintenance of Payroll system
Staff Loans
Expenditure Control,
Budgeting and drawing up of Final Accounts
National Youth Service Corp, Served as Accountant with CHAD BASIN
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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.
Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Management.
CONTACT ADDRESSES:
Residence: No.30, Road 622, Abuja Model City, Gwarimpa II, Abuja
Office: Bureau of Public Enterprises, No 11, Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja
GSM: 0803-5994456
E-MAIL: bendikki1@yahoo.com
PERSONAL DETAILS
Birth Date: 30th December, 1958
Marital Status: Married with three biological Children and adopted ones.
Health: Excellent
Hobbies: Golf, Squash Racket and Tennis.
State: Kebbi State