In August 2020, Coca-Cola had announced a global
restructuring aimed at furthering its aspiration to emerge stronger amidst a
fast-changing global business environment.
Announcing the change in structure, James Quincey,
Coca-Cola’s chairman and CEO, said the changes in the company’s operating model
will shift marketing to drive more growth and “put execution closer to
customers and consumers while prioritizing a portfolio of strong brands”.
Commenting on his appointment, Olajide said: “These are very
exciting times for the global Coca-Cola business, and I look forward to
contributing my own quota to a business I love so much, especially at such an
interesting time as this”.
“Nigeria is a huge market, and I am optimistic about the
growth we can achieve together with our bottling partners.”
Olajide has been with the company for nine years serving in
different capacities including franchise director for cluster markers in
Southern and Eastern African region; director of revenue growth management in
East and Central African region; and strategy head for Nigeria franchise.
He holds a first-class bachelor’s degree from the University
of Ibadan and a master of business administration (MBA) from the University of
Leicester, UK.
The company said Olajide’s experience in leading market
growth, strategy and operations management built from years in management
consulting and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), will undoubtedly help drive
business growth, strategy formulation, and market execution, in the Coca-Cola
Nigeria franchise operations.
Similarly, Patricia Obozuwa resumed duties as the Vice
President, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Africa, at the
beverage company.
Obozuwa leads a team that oversees Government Affairs,
thought leadership, media relations, corporate communications, and
sustainability for the company across the African continent.
Before her new position, she was the Chief Communications
& Public Affairs Officer for General Electric, GE Africa – a position she
has held since April 2012 when she built the communications and public affairs
function.
In 2016, she established the ‘GE Lagos Garage’ a hub for
advanced manufacturing skills development that has produced over 2,400
graduates in Nigeria to date (March 2020).
She is the founding co-hub leader of the GE Women’s Network
for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Prior to joining GE, she was Head, External Relations,
Nigeria and Corporate Communication Leader, Sub-Saharan Africa at Procter &
Gamble (P&G) where she pioneered the public relations function and built
the West Africa communications team from scratch.
Before joining P&G in 2005, Patricia was the Arts and
Sponsorship Manager for the British Council in Nigeria.
She is a Non-Executive Director of The Water Trust
(US-Headquartered Non-Profit Organization). She is also a member of the Lagos
State Industry Advisory Board for the Yaba ICT Hub/Cluster project.