The Board of Fidelity Bank Plc has effected the appointment of Mrs Amaka Theodora Onwughalu and Mr Nelson Chidozie Nweke and Mr Chinedu Eric Okeke as a Non-Executive Directors of the Bank.
According to Fidelity Bank, while Ms. Onwughalu and Mr Nweke’s appointments took effect on December 15, 2020, following the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Eric Okeke’s coming is subject to the approval of the apex bank.
A statement on Monday by its company secretary, Ezinwa Unuigboje said that; “Mrs Amaka Onwughalu has over 30 years’ banking experience including over 10 years in Executive Management in various financial institutions, with proven expertise across diverse segments including Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, Treasury Management, Banking Operations and Corporate Banking. She served in executive management positions in different institutions and was the former Group Managing Director of legacy Mainstreet Bank Limited where she led the successful execution of seamless integration of the bank with Skye Bank Plc where she served as Deputy Managing Director until her retirement in July 2016.”
It added that she is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Blueshield Financial Services Limited and holds a BSc Degree in Economics from the University of Buckingham, an MSc Degree in Corporate Governance from Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom and an MBA from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Fidelity Bank further stated that she gained exposure and training at the Executive Business School, INSEAD, France; IMD Business School, Lausanne, Switzerland; Judge Business School, University of Cambridge; and Columbia Business School, USA. She is a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria; a Fellow.
Mr Nelson Nweke currently serves as the Managing Director of Neilville Nigeria Limited and had an extensive career in the financial services sector, rising to the position of Executive Director at legacy Intercontinental Bank Plc, amongst other top positions in management.
“Mr Chinedu Eric Okeke is the Managing Director of Azura Power West Africa Limited, infrastructure development and operating company with special focus on emerging markets in Africa, including Nigeria. Prior to joining Azura in 2014, Mr Okeke had a stellar career spanning over nineteen years in a succession of blue-chip companies including Guinness Nigeria Plc, Lafarge Plc, Schlumberger Oilfield Services, and General Electric (GE).”
Fidelity Bank disclosed that their appointment followed the retirement of Mrs Aku Odinkemelu, Mr Alex Ojukwu, Mr Michael Okeke and Chief Charles Umolu from its board.
The Bank said, Mrs. Aku Odinkemelu, Executive Director Commercial and Consumer Banking, South Directorate, said she joined the Board on August 4, 2014, notified the Board on October 30, 2020 of her intention to take early retirement and will retire from the Board on December 31, 2020.
“As Executive Director South, Mrs. Aku Odinkemelu’s responsibilities covered the Commercial, SME, Consumer and Public Sector businesses of Fidelity Bank in the South East and South-South Regions of Nigeria. She provided leadership for the 90 business offices within the 11 States under her purview and successfully closed some landmark transactions that contributed significantly to the Bank’s overall profitability during the period of her employment.
Fidelity Bank added that as Executive Director, Aku played a defining role as a member of the transformation team in Fidelity Bank over the last 6 plus years, with the business directorate accounting for 31% of Deposits and 21% of Loans. The South Business Directorate under her leadership generated the highest PBT in the Bank over the last 5 years (2015 – 2019) contributing over 23% of the total bank profit over the period. Her retirement comes after over six (6) years of meritorious service to the institution.
“Chief Charles Umolu, Non-Executive Director, completed his tenure and retired from the Board on December 16, 2020. He served on the Board Risk, Credit, Finance & General Purpose, Audit and Corporate Governance Committees and chaired the Board Credit Committee. until he retired.
“Mr Michael Okeke, Non-Executive Director also successfully completed his tenure and retired from the Board on December 18, 2020. He was a member of various Board Committees including the Board Corporate Governance Committee, which he chaired from October 2018 to December 2019.
Mr Alex Ojukwu, Non-Executive Director, will complete his tenure and retire from the Board on December 31, 2020. He currently serves on the Board Credit, Risk, Audit and Corporate Governance Committees and chairs the Board Risk Committee.
The Bank expressed its profound appreciation to the outgoing Executive and Non-Executive Directors for their impressive contributions to the growth and development of the Bank during their tenure on the Board.
