Mr. Gowon Frederick Onuh is a highly effective manager of human and material resources. He has proven himself to be highly resourceful and creative as the incumbent Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First System Refinishes Ltd.

His company enjoys a pride of place as the sole franchise holder of Sikkens brands of automobile refinishes in Nigeria. The company also represents Italy’s Nova Verta in the distribution and installation of their world – acclaimed spray booths. Indeed, First System Refinishes Ltd is a widely acknowledged leader in its sphere of business.

Born 47 years ago at Odeke in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, Gowon is an accounting graduate of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is also a Certified Forensic Accountant.

 

Upon graduation from the polytechnic, this professional public speaker and business presentation expert joined the services of Gicen Technical Services Ltd, an indigenous computer company that took over from IBM during the Indigenisation Policy of 1978.

Onuh, a man of integrity, is professionally gifted in analysing financial problems, developing and simplifying procedures, and proffering innovative solutions. He is also a great team player endowed with proven leadership skills.

He has a rare passion for constant achievement of results as well as demonstrable ability to handle multiple projects under tight deadlines, work under pressure and accurately prioritise multiple responsibilities.

His exceptional combination of technical and soft skills at Gicen Technical Services Ltd made him to speedily rise from the post of Accounting Assistant in 1993 to the post of Controller of Finance and Administration in 1997. Onuh left Gicen Technical Services Ltd in 1999 to join Samhays Ltd which was then one of the major importers of Sikkens products and representative of Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes BV Netherlands.

At Samhays Ltd, Mr. Onuh, a highly-motivated, efficient and energetic self-starter with unique financial, analytical, organisational and creative skills took charge of the Accounting Department which was then in shambles.

He demonstrated his rare professional acumen by overhauling the accounting functions with solid internal controls and laid the foundation for the coming generation.

In 2004, a decision was taken to consolidate the operation of Akzo Nobel in Nigeria to make it more focused and position it to play its leading role in the car refinishes business in Nigeria. This decision led to the formation of First System Refinishes Ltd in 2005.

Gowon, a man endowed with exceptional ability to effectively coordinate teams and subordinates to achieve corporate objectives through motivation and interactive management, was appointed pioneer Accounts and Personnel Manager to help position and stabilise the operations of the young company.

He demonstrated his leadership and management skills in this new company so much so that productivity was greatly enhanced. In recognition of these rare qualities, the board finally appointed Gowon Onuh as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer to succeed Mr. Sam Nsoedo who retired on March 31, 2009.

A man with incredible thirst for continuous learning, he has attended several training programmes both locally and internationally to better position him for his new role.

He is married to Mrs. Martha Uchenna Onuh and the union is blessed with children.

It is in recognition of his accomplishments in the area of Sale & Distribution of Car Paints in Nigeria that Mr. Gowon Frederick Onuh is deemed worthy to be conferred with the Development in Nigeria Merit Award which is part of the 2017 PSR National Awards.