SIR OKAFOR WALLACE RECEIVES THE 2025 SOUTHWEST BANKING INTEGRITY STEWARDSHIP AWARD
3rd November, 2025
It was a moment of joy and celebration as the PATH Leadership Foundation, in partnership with PATH Magazine, paid tribute to a number of distinguished personalities who have made remarkable impacts in their respective fields of endeavor. In acknowledgment of his steadfast integrity, professionalism, and devotion to public service, Sir Okafor Osoanimgba Wallace, KSC, FCILRM, CPE, was presented with the 2025 Southwest Banking Integrity Stewardship Award by PathNews Magazine.
The prestigious honour was bestowed during the 3rd South West Achievers Hall of Fame and Award Ceremony, held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the OSDPC Multipurpose Hall, Ijapo Estate, Akure. The event drew leading figures from finance, business, and public service, all gathered to celebrate leadership, excellence, and ethical distinction.
According to PathNews Magazine, Sir Wallace’s selection stemmed from his “outstanding demonstration of institutional integrity and his unwavering contribution to national development,” especially through his work at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where he currently serves as Manager and Head of the Information and Client Service Office, Akure Branch.
A Knight of Saint Christopher (KSC), Sir Wallace is widely admired for his moral strength, humility, and devotion to both family and faith. Born on May 26 in Akumazi-Umuocha, Delta State, to Mr. Napoleon and Mrs. Josephine Okafor, his life embodies perseverance, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence.
Growing up in Ika North East Local Government Area, he began his academic journey at Akuma Primary School and later attended Akumazi-Umuocha Secondary School, where his leadership qualities and academic brilliance became evident. Through determination and hard work, he rose from humble beginnings to become a respected figure in Nigeria’s financial services sector.
Sir Wallace holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Labour Relations (MILR) from Delta State University, and a Master’s in Project Management (Management Science) from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management (FCILRM) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), he is also a Certified Performance Expert (CPE) with multiple professional credentials from Skillsoft, including certifications in Agile Leadership, Stress Management, Data Analytics, Market Risk, and Environmental Impact on Business.
His professional career began in 1996 with Halogen Security, where he served as a security guard before transitioning into journalism at The Guardian Newspaper in Lagos as a freelance writer. His time in the media sharpened his communication skills and deepened his understanding of ethics and public engagement.
Driven by a passion for service, he ventured into politics and served as a Councillor in Ika North East Local Government Area, later becoming Assistant to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on External Relations. These experiences enhanced his insight into governance and strengthened his advocacy for transparency and accountability.
At the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sir Wallace has distinguished himself as a dependable and empathetic administrator, managing public inquiries and complaints with fairness and professionalism. His leadership at the Information and Client Service Office has been widely praised as a model of efficiency and people-centered service.
In his acceptance speech, Sir Wallace expressed heartfelt gratitude to PathNews Magazine for the recognition, describing the award not as a personal achievement but as a renewed call to responsibility.
“Integrity is not an act; it is a habit,” he stated. “It is the quiet resolve to do what is right even when no one is watching — and to keep doing it until it becomes a way of life.”
He dedicated the award to his late mentor, Chief Solomon Chukwuma (Ochudon), whom he described as “a compass of integrity and diligence,” while also commending the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria for policies that promote inclusiveness and ethical practices across the financial sector.
Sir Wallace extended appreciation to the CBN Akure Branch Controller, his colleagues, and the entire banking community in Ondo State for their cooperation and shared commitment to public trust. He also thanked his family for their love and patience, and expressed gratitude to God for grace, humility, and the strength to serve.
Admired by peers and associates alike, Sir Okafor Wallace is fondly referred to as “a pillar of truth and justice, the voice of the voiceless, the gavel of firmness, the wig of wisdom, and the cloak of excellence.”
With this honour, Sir Okafor Osoanimgba Wallace stands as a beacon of ethical leadership in Nigeria’s financial industry a man whose life and career exemplify integrity, faith, and service to humanity.
