Modupe AbdulKareem Kadri is the Muslim Finance Person of the Year 2020

The organisers of #MNAwards2020 have announced multiple award-winning Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of MTN Nigeria, Mr Modupe AbdulKareem Kadri as the Nigerian Muslim Finance Person of the Year 2020. 

Modupe Kadri, famously known as MAK by admirers was declared the winner of the category by the Muslim Personality Award Committee chair, Mr. Rasheed Abubakar, with the collaborative efforts of Muslim Professional Accountants’ Association of Nigeria, MPAAN.

MPAAN Executive Council had earlier directed its General Secretary, Mr Abdul Hakeem Atanda Olagoke to call for nominations among its members and assess the most suitable personalities for the prestigious award.

Mr Olagoke said, “Based on the criteria agreed upon by the two organisations, some of which include religious personality, good conduct, professionalism, mentorship, philanthropy, impartiality, some personalities were shortlisted but MAK’s commitment to Islamic activism, despite his busy work schedule, and exceptional leadership skills and financial whiz, gave him an edge.”

Mr Kadri, who held sway during his five years stint in Ghana as the CFO of multinational telecommunications company, MTN, winning laurels, was appointed to head the same department in the Nigerian Office. 

Recall that MAK was runner-up during the maiden edition of “Top 5 Nigerian Muslim Personalities”, when the award celebrating Muslim achievers in professions debuted in 2019 by Muslim News, Nigeria’s most authoritative Islamic newspaper.

Mr. Abubakar, in a statement issued on Wednesday said MAK fits into our goal of recognising an outstanding Muslim Finance Personality of the Year, adding that he has established himself both in the finance field and also among the Muslim faithful.

“Although he doesn’t like that his good deeds are broadcast publicly, Mr. Kadri is a philanthropist and has demonstrated this many times with his numerous support to various causes, ranging from donations to religious bodies, education support, medical aids, etc.

“He has mentored and still mentors several young Muslims in the fields of accounting and finance as well as other fields. His desire to see young Muslims grow and achieve outstanding success is in no small measure as is evident in our interactions with him and some of his mentees who spoke with us. His combination of knowledge of the Qur’an and Hadith and other self-development books from various authors is worthy of emulation,” the statement concluded.

In his acceptance speech, MAK said, “Alhamdulillah, I feel surprised and humbled that I emerged as the Muslim Finance Person of the Year 2020. It’s a huge recognition and I pray that Allah would continue to give me the wisdom  to do more in the years ahead.  Jazakumullah khairan to all those involved in making this happen.”

In an exclusive interview with Muslim News, the University of Lagos alumnus said being a conscious Muslim has played a significant role in his path to success.

According to him, being a conscious Muslim has everything to do with what I have achieved so far. If you want to be a leader, you must have your value system and values are usually based on something. For most people, it’s based on their belief system. Whether they are Christians or Muslims, there must be an underlying value system to drive them.

“Hence, when you look at companies that thrive on a high level of integrity, it means they talk about virtues like honesty, transparency and things like that. These are things that are well embedded in our faith as Muslims. Read more HERE

“When you engrave all these into your leadership point of view, it becomes easy to practise them seamlessly. In my own case, being a Muslim has everything to do with my achievements because I know that I have to be just, honest and generally, morally upright.

“You read the seerah (history) of early Muslims being just to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Then, why should I be different? In that regard, I must simply emulate those who have been successful in terms of their interpersonal relations,” he concluded.

#MNAwards is an acronym for Muslim News Nigeria Awards, celebrating Muslim achievers who have excelled and made the Muslim community proud in Nigeria and globally. Now into its third year, the 2020 edition of the Awards features additional categories honouring Muslim professionals in media, health, law, finance and entertainment industries.

The winner of the Nigerian Muslim Legal Person will be announced on Friday, February 12, while dates for the presentation of plaques will be communicated in due time.