The name Maria O. Philips reverberates loudly in the corridors of prominence. A well brought up amazon, Chief Philips is a product of uncommon intelligence, granite education and sterling leadership traits, who has hugely impacted the Nigerian society.
Come November 17, 2024 this epitome of brilliance and resourcefulness will play a key role as the Special Guest of Honour at the much anticipated and epoch-making 14th edition of Classic Africa Merit Award, CAMA 2024, holding at the exquisite Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Themed “Dynamics of Building a strong National Legacies in the face of security challenged economy”, CAMA 2024 is poised to highlight myriads of challenges facing the nation through to gather of ebullient scholars of note to identify and proffer solutions for policy makers in government and corporate sectors of the economy.
Chief (Mrs.) Teju Philips is a descendant of the Olumegbon family of Isale-Eko in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State. Interestingly also, she is the daughter of the revered Ambassador Chief Antonio Dehinde Fernandez.
Her passion for creativity, diligence and excellence quickly positioned her for relevance in the public and private sectors in Nigeria. Over time, Chief Philips has evolved into a colossus who was able to engender a leadership culture that could best be described as infectious because it profoundly motivates, galvanizes and drives results.
She was fortunate to step outside the shores of the country to pursue a higher education. She attended Aston University and Huddersfield College between 1973-1975. She went further by attending executive programmes at Wharton School, Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School, USA.
This great woman of our time did her Articleship as an Accountant with the globally renowned firm, Peat Marwick & Cassleton Elliot & Co. She also had a stint with Ani. Ogunde & Co.
Chief Philips indeed started her career in Nigeria at UAC Nigeria Plc between 1983 – 1992 where she served as the Divisional Commercial Manager of the property division of the company.
She has served on the board of several public and private institutions which include Keystone Bank, Lagos State Lottery Board, Alma Beach Estate Ltd., a subsidiary of Rims Merchant Bank and Marridot Ventures Limited. She joined the board of Lasaco Assurance Plc on September 9th, 2020.
Her knack for achievement and results opened a new vista of recognition for her on many fronts. The Lagos State government came calling for her service and subsequently appointed her as Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Government Relations as well as commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism at different times.
Chief Philips was a member, Bank Directors Association of Nigeria, Board Member, Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Member, Accommodation committee of IMO ’98 Federal Annual Sports Festival, among several other membership positions of different organizations she has held.
She is happily married to Engr. Olanrewaju Philips and their union is blessed with four children.