Olubunmi Olaopa
OLUBUNMI OLAOPA: FOR GLAXO, FOR NIGERIA, FOR HEALTH
Olubunmi Olaopa, pharmacist, humanist and chief executive officer, Glaxo Wellcome Nigeria, has distinguished himself as a manager of men and materials. He has been CEO of the company for the past three years. Glaxo Wellcome Nigeria is the product of the acquisition by Glaxo Plc UK of Wellcome Foundation, though Evans Medical Plc came out from the old Glaxo Plc. Olaopa was executive director of Glaxo Plc before assuming his current position.
Glaxo Wellcome which prides itself as "world leaders in pharmaceuticals" is a global firm focused on satisfying customers' needs through "exploiting science to provide innovative health care solutions for the benefit of society now and in the future." Glaxo Wellcome remains the promoters in the Nigerian market of the business interests of the international pharmaceutical giant while Evans Medical handled most of the existing brands of the old Glaxo Plc. Olaopa has adequately discharged his mandate of upholding Glaxo Wellcome interests in the Nigerian market through his resourcefulness and managerial ingenuity.
The 44-year-old chief executive trained as a pharmacist at the Obafemi Awolowo University (then University of Ife) and since then has had over 18 years experience in the sales and marketing of medicines in Nigeria. He has attended many courses at home and abroad including Sundridge Park Management Centre, Kent, United Kingdom and the highly reputable Lagos Business School, Lagos. This training has kept him up to date with current development in business and management.
Olaopa has made contributions not only to manage Glaxo Wellcome in Nigeria but to the upliftment of the country's economy. He is a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit that has been setting the agenda for the country's economic growth and development over the past few years. He was also a member of the VISION 2010 Committee set up by government to articulate a direction for the country in political, economic and social affairs. It is the recognition of his knowledge and experience that earned Olaopa the appointment to these bodies.
He also holds other key positions in societies and membership of elite clubs, and many honours including the Eminent Persons Award, National Association of Industrial Pharmacists Merit Award, The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Enugu State Branch Merit Award and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch Merit Award. Olaopa is a well-travelled man having visited more than 40 countries in the world. This has broadened his world view and enabled him to keep within his purview the global focus of Glaxo Wellcome as "world leaders in pharmaceuticals."
Newswatch June 29, 1998
" Newswatch 1998