Senate screened, accepts 4 CBN directors

The Senate, on Thursday, confirmed the nomination of four persons for appointment as members of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Those confirmed are Robert Agbede, Ado Yakubu Wanka, Prof. Murtala Sabo Sagagi and Mrs Muslimat Olanike Aliyu. 

They were confirmed following the presentation and adoption of a report by the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions during plenary. 

The Red Chamber, however, declined the confirmation of Urum Kalu Ekem, for failing to present himself for screening. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a letter addressed to the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, asked the Red Chamber to confirm the nominees.

The Chairman of the committee, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos), who presented the report, said the four nominees possessed the qualifications, knowledge and professional experience to be CBN directors as reported by Daily Trust.

The lawmaker, however, said his committee could not recommend the confirmation of Urum Kalu Ekem due to his non-appearance during the screening exercise. 

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, put the nominees’ confirmation to a voice vote and the majority of senators supported it. 

Meanwhile, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a member of the screening panel, said Ekem declined his nomination to serve as a CBN director.

Ekem, according to Senator Kalu, said his current job as a consultant to the World Bank would conflict with the CBN work if he accepts the presidential nomination.