Abuja, Feb. 29, 2024:The Senate has confirmed four persons for appointment as Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) out of the five nominated by President Bola Tinubu.
Their confirmation, followed adoption of screening report of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions at the Committee of the Whole on Thursday.
The report was presented by Chairman of the committee, Sen. Abiru Adetounboi (APC Lagos).
The four persons confirmed as Directors of Board of CBN include: Mr. Robert Agbede, Mr. Ado Wanka, Prof. Murtala Sagagi and Mrs. Muslimat Olanike
Earlier, Adetokunbo, while presenting the report, said four out of the five persons nominated appeared for the secreening.
He said the nominations was in accordance with the provisions of section 6 1 and 2 (d) and 10 of to the Central Bank of Nigerian Act 2007.
He said four of the nominees appeared before the committee for secrening, saying that Mr .Urum Eke one of the nominee do not appear.
Adetokunbo said the nominees, who appeared demonstrated a good knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of the economy .
He said that findings of the committee, after the screening exercise indicates that the appointment was in accordance with the provisions of the section six of the CBN Act 2007.
He said the recommendation of the nominees was in tandem with provision of section 10 of the act, which required that the President in appointing the nominees shall have due regard to four representation on the financial, agriculture Industrial, commercial interests and principle of Federal Character
He said the nominees performance during secrening was indicative of their qualifications, suitability and responsibilities associated with the board of Directors of CBN.
He said the nominees posse the knowledge, expertise and professional experiences to be members of board of CBN, saying that the committee did not receive any pertition against their nomination.
He said the nominees had been cleared by the Nigerian Police Force , DSS and posses the Code of Conduct acknowledgement slips.
He, therefore, urged the Senate to confirm their nomination.
He said the committee could not recommend to Senate the confirmation of Eke, given his non appearance for the screening.
Speaking on Eke”s non appearance for screening, Sen.Orji Uzor Kalu(APC- Abia) noted that Eke is his constituents.
Kalu said Eke had told him, that there could be a conflict between the job he is currently handling and seating in the CBN board as he is a consultant to the World Bank and other business, both government and private.
He said Eke had informed the CBN governor that he might be declining the offer to seat at CBN board, hence he was not present at the screening.
Kalu, said he was in support of the four other nominees as they were credibility nominees and the CBN needs their input at this time.
