Ambrose Feese

Ambrose Asula Feese
Mr Ambrose Feese in Kaftan
Born	(1944-12-07) 7 December 1944 Tsar, Mbaduku, Benue State, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Occupations	banker chartered accountant civil servant
Spouse	Nguyan Feese
Children	4

Asula Ambrose Feese known as Ambrose Feese, is a chartered accountant, public servant, administrator and a seasoned banker. He was the former minister of works and housing in the Nigerian government between 1998 to 1999.

Early life

Ambrose was born on December 7, 1944 at Tsar Mbaduku, Vandeikya local government area of Benue state.

Education

Feese commenced his primary education at St. John's Primary School in Gboko from 1952 to 1954. He subsequently transferred to St. Joseph's Primary School in Korinya, Konshisha, where he studied from 1955 to 1958. Following this, he attended Mt. St. Michael's Secondary School in Aliade for his secondary education, graduating in 1963. In 1966, he enrolled at Leeds Beckett University, in the United Kingdom, completing his studies there in 1970. Additionally, he furthered his education at Bradford University's Project Planning Centre in 1980.

Personal life

In 1977, Feese entered into matrimony with Nguyan Shaku, embarking on a life together that would bless them with the joy of raising four children. The couple has been fortunate to welcome into their family a son and three daughters. Notably, one of their daughters demonstrated remarkable resilience as a survivor of the tragic terrorist attack on the United Nations building in Abuja, which occurred on August 26, 2011. This event not only marked a pivotal moment in their lives but also highlighted the strength and courage that can emerge in the face of adversity.

Career

Upon completing his academic journey with a graduation in 1963 from Mt. St. Michaels Aliade, Feese embarked on his professional career by securing a position as a Cashier/Account Shell Company Nigeria Limited, Jos in the following year, 1964.He diligently served in this capacity until 1966, when he made the pivotal decision to travel to the United Kingdom with the intent to further his education at the prestigious Leeds University.

After successfully graduating in 1970, Feese returned to Nigeria, where he was appointed in 1971 as the Accountant (Finance) at the Defence Industries Corporation, Kaduna. His tenure there spanned a little over a year, during which he honed his financial expertise. Subsequently, he took on the role of Accountant (Revenue) at the Headquarters of the New Nigeria Development Company, Kaduna, where he served from 1973 to 1974, further expanding his knowledge and experience in the financial sector.

In 1974, Feese advanced to the position of Company Secretary and Chief Accountant at New Nigeria Newspaper Limited, Kaduna, remaining in this role until 1975. His career progressed significantly when, in 1975, he became the Principal Accountant at New Nigeria Development Company, also in Kaduna, for a year before taking on the responsibilities of Financial Controller from 1976 to 1978. These positions provided him with valuable insights and a solid foundation in financial management.

Continuing his upward trajectory, Feese assumed the role of General Manager at Northern Textiles Limited in Kaduna from 1978 to 1979. Following this, he took on the prestigious position of Director at the New Nigeria Development Company between 1980 and 1981, where he contributed to the strategic direction of the organization. Ultimately, Feese made the significant decision to transition into the banking sector, where he would continue to cultivate his career in finance and management, laying the groundwork for future accomplishments.

In 1981, he joined Bank of the North Nigeria Limited in Kano, where he held the prestigious position of General Manager, Operations. During his tenure, which lasted until 1987, he demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and operational acumen. He subsequently transitioned to the role of General Manager, Corporate Banking, serving in this capacity from 1987 until 1988, before ultimately ascending to the position of Executive Director in the same year.

In 1989, Ambrose Feese was invited to join the International Committee on Nigeria Limited, a prominent merchant banking institution based in Lagos. This opportunity necessitated another relocation from Kano, as he accepted the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. His impactful leadership at the helm of the organization continued until 1995. In 1996, he made yet another significant career move, relocating to the newly established Nigerian capital of Abuja to take on the role of Executive Chairman at NSF Developments Limited. He contributed his expertise and vision to this organization for two years before being called upon by the Nigerian government to leverage his extensive experience in the private sector for governance purposes during a military regime.

In 1998, Feese was appointed as the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing by the military government, a role in which he served with distinction until the transition to civilian rule under the leadership of Olusegun Obasanjo.

Following his departure from the government, he established himself as the Managing Consultant at Dynamic Consulting Limited, where he applies his wealth of knowledge and experience to assist various organizations. Additionally, he has held the esteemed position of Non-Executive Director at First Bank of Nigeria, NAL Bank Plc, Universal Trust Bank Plc further cementing his reputation in the finance and consulting sectors.

Membership and associations

Feese has played an active role in various professional organizations, demonstrating a commitment to the advancement of his field. He has held the esteemed title of Fellow at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria since 1975, showcasing his longstanding dedication to the accounting profession. In 1991, he attained the distinguished status of Fellow with the Chartered and Certified Accountants organization in the United Kingdom, further solidifying his credentials on an international level.

In addition to these accolades, Feese has been a member of the Institute of Directors since 1991, reflecting his leadership capabilities and involvement in corporate governance. He has contributed to the Public Accounts Committee in Benue State, playing a crucial role in overseeing financial accountability. Furthermore, he served as the Secretary of the Presidential Commission on Revenue Allocation from 1979 to 1980, during which he was integral to shaping revenue policies.

His expertise has also been called upon in various important initiatives, including being a member of the Study Group tasked with reviewing the Federal Civil Service in 1985. Feese’s influence extends to his membership in the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Board of Trustees and Vision 2010, where he has contributed to visionary planning for the future of Nigeria. Most recently, since 2018, he has served as a board member of Link Africa Diaspora Services Ltd, continuing his legacy of service and leadership within the diaspora community.