Budding conglomerate engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, on Tuesday demonstrated its solid policy of continuity, stability and enduring values when it celebrated the exit of its former Chairman, Mutiu Sunmonu, and welcomed his successor, Engr. Goni Sheikh.

Amidst a cheerful audience inside the jampacked Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the company’s Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch, described the evening as a truly special occasion to bid farewell to Sunmonu and to welcome Sheikh. He said the evening marked a rare and momentous event in the history of Julius Berger, saying over the past 55 years since 1970, the company has been privileged to be led by only seven remarkable chairmen.

Lubasch further said that the development represented a powerful testament to the unique qualities that have set Julius Berger apart in all ramifications.

Describing Sunmonu’s nine-year tenure as Board Chairman as impactful years, he reeled out some of the major accomplishments of Sunmonu to include modernisation of Board practices, strategic diversification like venturing into construction activities outside Nigeria, human capital development, execution of landmark projects like the Second Niger Bridge, FAMFA Office Tower in Lagos and Hyatt Regency Hotel also in Lagos, as well as many more civil and building projects throughout Nigeria, both for public and private clients.

As Chairman, Lubasch said Sunmonu was a listening leader, steering from the background with a high-level approach. “His ability to moderate and manage the differing views of the Board without micromanaging the Executive Management was key to maintaining harmony and focus. He was a trusted partner to Executive Management, always approachable and always insightful, with a unique ability to offer fresh perspectives and giving guidance through experience,” he said.

Speaking on the new Chairman, Lubasch said with his extensive experience in both public and private sectors, and as valued Board member of the company since July 2019, Engr Sheikh has earned the deep respect and admiration of the Board.

“He embodies continuity and reliability. His insights and professionalism have consistently enriched our deliberations, and we are confident that his leadership will usher in continued growth, innovation and diversification for our company,” he said.

On his part, Sunmonu said the occasion was a demonstration of success and achievements. “We really want to show the public that we have very good reasons to celebrate and we are not just celebrating our gigantic achievements in the last ten years, but we are also celebrating a radically new and most successful future picture that we see ahead of Julius Berger,” he said.

Acknowledging the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, Sunmonu thanked him for gracing the event with his presence.

He described the minister as his friend, dispelling any attribution of discord between the minister and Julius Berger. “The man is my friend, so there is no problem between us and Umahi. I think Umahi loves Julius Berger. And my analogy is the relationship between a father and a son; when you love your son so much, you want the best from him every time,” he said.

“But we are determined to reset that relationship, and I can assure you that we are in the path of that reset. So, Engineer Umahi, thank you for coming here and I promise you that Engineer Goni, a fellow engineer like yourself, will start to work with you and our Managing Director in making sure that the relationship with yourself, your ministry and the Federal Government becomes one of the best in the country,” he added.

He declared that before long, Julius Berger would become a conglomerate. He added, however, that the future would surely be much more challenging and probably turbulent, but he was confident that he was leaving behind a team that has the audacity to win.

In his remarks read by his representative, Speaker of the House of Representatives acknowledged the person and achievements of Sunmonu. “I understand that Mr. Sunmonu also saw the company expand its portfolio in both private and public construction projects, among which are several high impact and iconic projects for both the Federal and the State Governments. He also provided leadership and guidance leveraging his extensive experience in all the fields to drive Julius Berger’s growth and success,” he said.

The Vice Chairman, George Marks, and another member of the Board, Dr. Ernest N. Azudialu-Obiejesi, were also among several others that celebrated Sunmonu in their respective addresses.