News
Meet Urum Eke who rejected Tinubu’s CBN appointment
A consultant with the World Bank, Urum Eke, on Thursday, rejected President Bola Tinubu’s appointment to serve as a member of the Central Bank of Nigeria Board of Directors.
Tinubu had, on February 13, forwarded the names of Eke and four others for confirmation as members of the board for the CBN.
However, during the confirmation, the former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu, ( APC, Abia North ) told the Senate that Eke, who is his constituent, had called him on the phone to reject the offer, noting that it would conflict with his present job as a consultant with the World Bank.
This came to the fore during the Thursday plenary when the Senate began the process for the confirmation of the nominees.
The Senate, however, has confirmed the appointment of four other members of the Board of Directors of the CBN – Robert Agbede; Ado Yakubu Wanka; Professor Murtala Sabo Sagagi and Mrs. Muslimat Olanike Aliyu.
In this piece, PUNCH Online highlights 13 facts about Eke:
Born on November 20, 1964, Eke attended the Comprehensive Secondary School, Aba and Government College, Umuahia, the state capital, for his West African School Certificate and Higher School Certificate respectively.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos in 1985.
Afterwards, Eke earned his Master in Business Administration in Projects Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri in 2008.
The 59-year-old is an Alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School and the Wharton Business School, amongst others.
Eke is a recipient of Nigeria’s National Order of Merit and National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic.
He began his career in 1986 with Deloitte Haskins & Sells International as a senior auditor till 1991.
Eke further went on to serve as an Executive Director at Diamond Bank Plc for 19 years from 1992 – 2011.
Eke, a consummate financial services expert, is a former Group Managing Director at First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc.
He also served as a Non-Executive Director on the Boards of FBN Limited and FBN Merchant Bank Limited.
In 2017, he was appointed to the board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (Sovereign Wealth Fund) and served until 2021.
Eke is the Executive Chairman, Fairchild Group which comprises Fairchild Capital Ltd, Fairchild Base Investment Ltd, Fairchild Ventures Ltd, among others.
He is also the Chairman, Board of Directors of NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, a foremost cancer treatment centre in West Africa.
Eke has over 35 years of experience in financial services covering auditing, business assurance, consulting, amongst others.
FCT minister Nyesom Wike has opened a can of words declaring that all the noise Governor Hope Uzodinma is making is over Senate Presidency.
He disclosed this at ongoing TVC interview today.
READ:
All this noise against the Rainbow Coalition is about the ambition of Governor Hope Uzodinma to be Senate President in 2027 .
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has expressed sadness over the death of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.
Idris, a former industrialist and two-term governor of Kogi State, reportedly died in the United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
In a condolence message, Enikanolaiye commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Kogi State Government and people of the state, as well as his associates across the country.
The minister described the death as “unexpected” and urged Nigerians to draw consolation from the exemplary life Idris lived and the legacies he left behind as a man of peace committed to the good of all.
Enikanolaiye said Idris made significant contributions to business, public service and philanthropy, leaving behind projects that defined his tenure as governor.
He said: “The former industrialist has left very bold footmarks on the sand of time in business, public service, and philanthropy. The greater Lokoja water scheme, the international market, several roads and bridges, State Secretariat phase two, and construction of housing estates across the state, in addition to prompt payment of salaries are some of the legacies that defined his public service.
“He was a very tolerant leader and a voice of unity who saw humanity in all irrespective of creed, class, and tribe.
“For me at a personal and community level, it was the late Governor that put, for the very first time, asphalt on the only road that links my communities from Iyamoye through Igbagun to Isanlu in Yagba South East District which made access and movements easier for the people.
“I have been one of the direct beneficiaries of this transformative project. The road is now overdue for rehabilitation.
“This is one death too many. It is particularly sad that his death occurred at a time when his guidance and wealth of experience were highly required in this special general election season. Nigeria will miss him.
“No one can question the Almighty God, the owner of life. I wish the former governor, Al janah fridaus, and the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
The minister prayed for strength for the family to bear what he described as an irreparable loss.
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 66th birthday, describing her as the “Mother of the Nation”.
Kalu commended the First Lady for her service to the country, particularly her interventions aimed at empowering women, supporting families and vulnerable citizens, and investing in young Nigerians.
In a congratulatory message issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker said Senator Tinubu’s leadership had reflected compassion and brought what he described as a profoundly human face to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also praised her commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria, describing the initiative as symbolic of her vision for the future.
Kalu said: “Your Excellency, your life of service continues to demonstrate that leadership finds its highest expression in compassion. Through your interventions across the states of our federation, particularly your commitment to the empowerment of women, support for families and vulnerable citizens, and investment in the hopes and aspirations of young Nigerians, you have brought a profoundly human face to the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Your remarkable commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria is especially symbolic of your vision for the future. A nation that invests in its libraries invests in the minds of its children”.
The Deputy Speaker further described Senator Tinubu as a source of inspiration to emerging leaders, praising her humility, quiet strength and graciousness in office.
“At 66, we celebrate not only the gift of your life, but the countless lives that have been enriched by your generosity of spirit and commitment to service,” Kalu said.
He prayed for continued strength, sound health and wisdom for the First Lady.
FCT minister Nyesom Wike’s words on marble
Enikanolaiye Mourns ex-Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris
Kalu hails Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Praises Support for Women, Vulnerable Nigerians
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