How Chidi Okoro was forced to resign as GSK Consumer MD

Okoro

Forget the story currently going round that the Managing Director of GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Mr. Chidi Okoro will voluntarily resign from the company on March 15, 2014. A very reliable inside source disclosed to SHOWBIZPLUS that Okoro, was forced to resign following a very dirty board room politics that was orchestrated from the top. 

“My brother forget the well scripted story the management of GSK has been selling to the world through the media, Chidi Okoro was forced to resign following a very dirty boardroom politics orchestrated from the top,” hinted the source who also pleaded for anonymity.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the GSK Consumer  Nigeria,  Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, who announced the  resignation Monday, said until the Board appoints a substantive MD, Mr. Justin Korte  will serve as director and General Manager. Korte, was promoted in 2011 to Sales Director, Africa.

Osunkeye explained that Okoro, who has worked for seven years in the company, four of which he spent as MD, resigned voluntarily to pursue other career opportunities.

  “I want to thank Mr.  Chidi Okoro  for his leadership of our business.  Chidi has been instrumental to the success of GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc.  He has doubled our sales growth over the past four years while improving the way we run the business.

He oversaw the launch of Sendodyne, Horlicks and other products.  I am proud that he is the first Nigerian  MD of GSK Consumer Nigeria and I wish him the best in his future endeavours,” Osunkeye said.

Osunkeye said Okoro’s exit has nothing to do with GSK Consumer United Kingdom’s bid to raise its stake in the Nigerian business, saying negotiations were still on-going in that regard and the parent firm remained committed to the growth of GSK Nigeria.

Speaking on his experience in the company, Okoro said  it  has been a fulfilling four years serving as MD of GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc.

“I believe the time is right for me to move on to other challenges. GSK Nigeria has a great future and it is an opportunity for someone new to make their mark on this great business and lead the company into the future. I believe I have played my part in the evolution of our company. It has been an immense learning experience as well as an opportunity to work with some of the best people in the corporate world,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Vice President, Africa, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Mr. Jonathan Girling, said: “GlaxoSmithKline Consumer is committed to Nigeria for the long term and has confidence in the continuing growth prospects of the business.”