Fidelity Bank appoints Ebi, ex-CBN DG, as chairman

Fidelity Bank Plc. has announced the appointment of Ernest Ebi as a non-executive director and chairman designate of the bank’s board of directors.

A former deputy governor of policy and corporate services at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ebi (pictured) steps into his new position following the retirement of Christopher Ezeh.

In a statement to announce the new appointment, the bank commended Ezeh for his “over 11 years of meritorious service”.

Ebi is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. He has participated in several management development courses both locally and overseas, and his areas of specialisation are strategic planning, financial and risk management, amongst others.

According to the statement released by Fidelity Bank, some of the notable leading institutions where he received executive education are IMD Switzerland, Harvard, Oxford-Said Business School, amongst others.

He started his working career 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 & 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 organizations where he acquired mastery of executive leadership, financial goals delivery, business management, human resources capacity building, and general business performance management,” the statement read.

“He served as the Chairman of Deputies of the Group of Twenty-four countries (G24 countries) and as Director of Afromedia PLC until July 28, 2015.

“He serves as the 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

“He brings to the board a solid wealth of corporate experience to Fidelity Bank.”

Prior to his appointment at CBN, Ebi worked as deputy managing director/chief operating officer of Diamond Bank. He has also served as managing director/chief executive officer of New Nigeria Bank plc.

He was also a former executive director, African Continental Bank, and has worked in various departments of International Merchant Bank.

The statement also said the board had approved the appointment of Charles Umolu and Kings C. Akuma as non- executive directors of the bank.

Akuma is currently the managing director of Hammakopp Consortium Limited (an Affiliate of Nestoil Group Plc). He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and an MBA from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Umolu, presently a managing consultant with Corimol Nigeria Limited and a chief executive with Corimol Consulting Limited 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 from the University of Ife, Ile Ife.

Fidelity said the appointments were subject to the approval of the CBN.