MUNACHISO E. OKAM

• Created organization's mission and vision statements for use by employees.
• Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
• Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.
• Grew company from home kitchen to one of Nigeria’s preferred bakeshops with 4 outlets in strategic locations
• Grew company from initial capital base of roughly $100 to yearly turnover of over $850,000
• Grew company from staff strength of 1 in 2011 to over 70 staff
• Created and monitored promotional approaches to increase sales and profit levels.
• Studied market to determine optimal pricing of goods and services and to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
• Drove implementation of new market expansion to propel business forward and adapt to market changes.
• Negotiated terms of business acquisitions to increase business base, solidify market presence and diversify offerings.
• Reviewed individual department performance and worked with leadership to improve processes, procedures and practices.
• Advised on high-level hiring decisions for key leadership positions, conducted senior hire interviews and nominated new board members.
• Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
• Investigated and addressed business development challenges to proactively mitigate problems.
• Negotiated and procured funding of two hundred and fifty thousand United States dollar ($250,000) for business expansion and growth
• Structured a trading relationship between the largest retail company in Nigeria, Shoprite ‘Retail Trading Company’ and CF&D, as strategic retail partners for the distribution and sale of Chloe’s Premium Ice cream and Chloe’s Gourmet Popcorn within 2 months of the company’s existence
• Initiated manufacture and sale of Nigeria’s first premium ice cream “Chloe’s Premium Ice cream” and line of gourmet popcorn “Chloe’s Gourmet Popcorn”
• Established, optimized and enforced business policies to maintain consistency and high-quality standards across industry operations.
• Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive and performance-oriented business culture to lead industry in innovation and push progress.
• Effectively created sales distribution channels for CF&D products across different states in Nigeria.
• Drove performance initiatives, facilitating 70% revenue increase.
• Interviewed, supervised and motivated staff strength of over 70 staff members to achieve optimal productivity.
• Spearheaded several third-party contract negotiations to obtain favorable pricing and scheduling parameters.
• Spearheaded change management and strategic turnaround for company during significant restructuring and downsizing particularly during Covid 19 pandemic.

• Advised on propriety or otherwise of benefit or compensation claims by third party employers on behalf of persons who suffered work-related injury or death
• Ensured compliance with extant laws by employers of labour within Nigeria and enforcing compliance on recalcitrant employers
• Oversaw development, maintenance and review of policies and procedures of Fund activities and its related activities as well as enforce their application
• Oversaw drafting of all documents as required within fund
• Advised management on all issues relating to Fund activities
• Drafting of opinions on all matters affecting Fund when required
• Representing Fund at high level meetings between companies and government agencies on matters with direct bearing on Fund policies
• General oversight of all employees within legal department
• Negotiated contracts between third parties and Fund as necessary
• Drafted agreements between contractors and Fund on contract matters
• Advised various departments within fund as necessary, on matters with legal implications ranging from claims and compensations, enforcement matters, audit and finance matters to administrative matters
• Advised National legislature on matters pertaining to Fund when and if necessary
• Advised on periodic review of extant law (Employees Compensation Act, 2010) at National Legislative level

• Monitored progress of team members as well as over-saw duties to ensure timely discharge of duties and accurate representation of issues and laws involved
• Collaborated with legal team to conform to contract terms.
• Advised Hudson Brown on several international corporate transactions between Nigerian companies and international bodies or corporations
• Oversaw review of all legal contracts within Hudson Brown
• Advised on mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures for Hudson's Brown's clients engaged in merging or acquiring other companies with both local and international content
• Oversight of all legal contractual documents on mergers and acquisitions or other transactions being handled
• Reviewed existing legal contracts on behalf of Hudson Brown clients to ensure conformity with existing laws or modified laws, rules, and regulations
• Conducted due diligence on behalf of Hudson Brown's clients on various transactions ranging from company start-ups, partnerships, joint ventures to mergers and acquisitions
• Advised clients on sales, tax matters, shares purchase and other business activities
• Represented clients in negotiations relating to raising of funds for corporate expansion or other business transactions
• Advised Hudson Brown on tax and employment law implications of transactions being entered
• Prepared opinions on corporate, commercial and Infrastructure development and PPP issues, laws, regulations, and guidelines
• Assessed applicable Nigerian Laws and regulations with particular focus on laws and regulations that impact on ownership, management, and development of infrastructure/utilities and commodities in Nigeria as well as laws that impact on commercial and corporate environment within and outside Nigeria
• Advised on legal issue of market structure and compliance arrangements, regimes for tariffs, subsidies, and financing as it relates to commerce and development
• Acted as interface between clients and relevant persons or agencies involved in transactions
• Ensured that clients were well advised as to quality and integrity of any transaction/projects being undertaken
• Reviewed and assisted in developing and designing contractual legal obligations of strategic/core investors in commercial transactions as provided in Share Sale/Purchase Agreement (SPA)
• Advised and assisted in observing best international legal practices in monitoring and compliance with all legal requirements in corporate and commercial transaction documents
• Advised on social and environmental issues relating to commercial transactions
• Assessed any non-compliance with relevant Nigerian laws and regulations with regards to proposed corporate and commercial transactions
• Assessed and mitigated legal, reputational and business risks.
• Identified and reported potential risks with customer-facing contracts and products.
• Oversaw Reduction-In-Force procedures and checked both company and employee compliance with contracts, federal labor laws and state regulations.
• Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare settlement offers.
• Minimized risk exposure through careful advice on business operations and strategic plans.
• Negotiated contracts, proposed creative alternatives and protected company's position to mitigate risk.
• Advised Hudson Brown and senior executives through major decisions and follow-up litigations.
• Crafted and distributed employee contracts, handled obtaining signatures and followed up with adherence to agreements.

• Assumed Acting Lead position in June 2009
• Primarily responsible for legal department of company
• Advised Management on all corporate legal decisions affecting company
• Managed and supervised legal team in company
• Ensured compliance with laid down rules and regulations within Abuja Technology Village Free Zone (ATVFZ)
• Advised management on matters relating to Special Economic Zones with particular reference to ATVFZ
• Represented company in meetings with third parties requiring legal input
• Drafted legal agreements on behalf of ATVFZC such as Memorandum of Understanding, Service level agreements, non-disclosure agreements, Construction contracts, amongst others
• Interfaced between Management and Free Zone Enterprises registered within ATVFZ on all matters relating to Free zone operations
• Involved in following key engagements: Legal advice and input for contract valued at $1.9 million Dollars between ATVFZC and International Architectural firm Legal input for ATVFZC on various World Bank funded contracts under Growth and Employment in States (GEMS) project of World Bank Legal Input in formulation of General Conditions of Construction Contract for ATVFZ Initiated process for drafting of ATVFZ regulations by international consultants and drafted compliance levels for Abuja Technology Village Free Zone.

• Income Tax Assessment (VITA) for Low Income People
• Participated in pro bono income tax assessment team to help low-income earners of Durham City, NC
• Prepared free tax evaluation for people earning less than $30,000 per annum
• Worked directly with Department of Internal Revenue Service in Durham city, NC in tax assessments and evaluations

• Vetted treatise and agreements already entered on behalf of the department
• Edited member country reports.
• Worked on inter-state and inter-transactional agreements
• Prepared commercial trade agreements between Nigeria and other ECOWAS member countries
• Drafted contracts between ECOWAS and service providers
• Participated in the following key engagements and responsibilities:

► Harmonization of Business Laws in Non-OHADA States (English speaking ECOWAS states)

► Re-evaluation of the Contractual Privileges, Rights and Benefits of ECOWAS permanent representatives and third country representative

► Drafting of the ECOWAS Refugee Treaty

► Field Legal support for the ECOWAS dispatch team for Presidential elections held in Nigeria in April 2007 (first democratic handover elections in Nigeria)