Fidelity Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Ernest Ebi as a non-executive director and chairman-designate of the Board of Directors.
A statement issued by the bank in Lagos said the development followed the retirement of the erstwhile chairman of the bank, Chief (Dr) Christopher Ezeh, who, after over 11 years of meritorious service to the bank has retired, having attained the retirement age for non-executive directors in line with the bank’s policy.
Other appointments endorsed by the board include those of Mr Charles Chidebe Umolu and Mr Kings Akuma as non-executive directors of the bank. These appointments are subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Ebi , a former deputy governor, Policy and Corporate Services, CBN, from 1999 to 2009, brings to the Board of Fidelity Bank a solid wealth of corporate experience. Prior to CBN, Ebi’s sterling career saw him rising to the top position of deputy managing director/chief operating officer (MD/COO) of Diamond Bank Plc in 1998, having also served as MD/COO of New Nigeria Bank Plc. He was also a former executive director, African Continental Bank. He had earlier held executive management positions in various departments of International Merchant Bank in Nigeria between 1981 and 1993.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Ebi has participated in several management development courses, both locally and overseas, in the areas of strategic planning, financial and risk management, among others. Some of the notable leading institutions where he received executive education include IMD Switzerland, Harvard and Oxford Business Schools, amongst others.
He started his working career in the United States of America (USA) as an accounts technician with the National Association of Counties, Washington DC in 1976, and subsequently worked at the Federal Savings & Loans Association, Washington DC, where he served as the assistant vice president, Community Federal Savings and loans Association. In a very distinguished career within the financial services industry, Mr Ebi went on to serve in leadership positions in various notable banking sector organisations where he acquired mastery of executive leadership, financial goals delivery, business management, human resources capacity building, and general business performance management.
He served as the chairman of deputies of the G24 countries and as director of Afromedia Plc until July 28, 2015.
He serves as a member of the Governing Board of Venture Garden Nigeria and has been an independent non-executive director of Dangote Cement Plc since January 30, 2014
Apart from the corporate world, he has served extensively on many for-profit as well as not-for-profit organisations. He supports World Vision and is also involved in various other humanitarian causes, especially in fundraising to promote its programmes across the nation.
Mr. Ebi attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri, from 1970 and Howard University, Washington DC, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business degree in Marketing in 1978 and a Master’s degree in Business Administration in 1979. He holds the National Award, MFR. He is married and has children.
Kings Akuma is another Non-Executive Director designate of Fidelity Bank Plc and currently the managing director of Hammakopp Consortium Ltd (an affiliate of Nestoil Group Plc).
Also named as non-executive director is Mr. Charles Chidebe Umolu, presently a managing consultant with Corimol Nigeria Ltd and a chief executive with Corimol Consulting Ltd, has over 18 years cognate experience in banking.
He was trained as a banker by Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, USA. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (1973 – 1977) from the University of Ife, Ile Ife.
Umolu also bagged an MBA (1978 – 1979) from the same institution.
While welcoming the new directors, the MD/COO managing director/chief executive officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said that their appointments are expected to contribute significantly to the new phase of the bank’s growth trajectory.
He also paid glowing tributes to the former chairman and noted the passion, commitment and experience Chief (Dr) Ezeh brought to the Board.
Okonkwo expressed his gratitude for Chief (Dr) Eze’s immense contributions to the overall growth and development of the bank.
