South-East nominee, Kalu rejects Tinubu’s appointment

Urum Kalu Eke, a nominee for membership on the Central Bank of Nigeria Board of Directors, has declined the offer citing his current engagement with the World Bank.

This development emerged during the Thursday plenary session as the Senate began the process for the confirmation of the nominees.

President Bola Tinubu had submitted the names of Urum and four others on February 13 for confirmation as members of the CBN board.

However, during the confirmation proceedings, former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North), informed the Senate that Urum, his constituent, had reached out to decline the offer. Senator Kalu mentioned that Urum expressed concerns about the role conflicting with his current position as a consultant with the World Bank, Federal Government agencies, and private companies.

Senator Kalu stated, “The nominee told me this role would conflict with his job as a consultant to the World Bank, Federal Government agencies and other private companies.”

Meanwhile, the Senate proceeded to confirm the appointments of four other members of the CBN Board of Directors as submitted by the President.

The confirmed Directors are Robert Agbede, Ado Yakubu Wanka, Professor Murtala Sabo Sagagi, and Mrs. Muslimat Olanike Aliyu.

This confirmation followed the consideration of a report on the nominee screening presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance & Other Financial Institutions, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).

Senator Abiru stated, “That the Senate do receive and consider the report on the confirmation of the nomination of the following Five (5) persons as members of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with section 6(1), (2) (d) and 10 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

He further noted that Urum Kalu Eke from Abia was not cleared by the Committee as he failed to appear for the screening.