Meet The Big Boys & Babes  Who Run FIDELITY Bank

• What No One Will Tell You

Have you wondered who the guys and babes who run Fidelity Bank are? We can tell you that for sure.

Below is the list of these brilliant bankers who run one of Nigeria’s best banks. Thanks to the captain of the ship, Nnamdi Okonkwo

MR ERNEST EBI – CHAIRMAN

Ebi, a former Deputy Governor, Policy and Corporate Services at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for 10 years (1999 to 2009), brings to the Board a solid wealth of corporate experience to Fidelity Bank.

Prior to CBN, Ebi’s sterling career saw him rising to top position of Deputy Managing Director/ Chief Operating Officer of Diamond Bank Plc. in 1998 having also served as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of New Nigeria Bank Plc. Also a former Executive Director, African Continental Bank, earlier Executive Management positions held by Mr. Ebi included various departments of International Merchant Bank, Nigeria between 1981 to 1993.

He started his working career in the United States of America (USA) 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. 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, 2O14

Mr. Ebi attended Holy Ghost College Owerri from 1970 and Howard University, Washington DC, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business degree in Marketing in 1978 and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1979. He is and holds the National Award; MFR. Mr, Ernest Ebi is married with kids.

NNAMDI J. OKONKWO – MD/CEO

Okonkwo assumed duties as Managing Director/CEO with effect from January 2014.Until his appointment as the MD/CEO he was the Executive Director in charge of South Directorate of the bank. He holds a B.Sc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Benin and an MBA, Banking and Finance from Enugu State University. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) of INSEAD and has also attended other senior-level programmes at world renowned institutions. Before joining Fidelity, Okonkwo was the Head of the Corporate Banking Directorate in (UBA) and had at various times been the MD&CEO of UBA, Ghana and the Regional Chief Executive Officer of all UBA Subsidiaries in Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone and comes with over 25 years experience in various areas of banking.

MOHAMMED BALARABE – DMD

Mr. Mohammed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and Finance from Nottingham Trent University, UK, as well as an M.Sc. in Finance from the University of Lagos. A dealing member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1992, Mohammed was an Executive Director with the former Oceanic Bank Plc. He was also a General Manager in United Bank for Africa (UBA) and had been the General Manager & Chief Executive of Newdevco Finance Services Company Limited. He has over 24 years banking experience across business portfolios in banking. He was appointed to the Board in April, 2012.

CHIJIOKE UGOCHUKWU  – Executive Dir.

Mrs. Ugochukwu was General Manager, Legal Services and Company Secretary of the bank. She holds an LLB (Hons.) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and a BL from the Nigerian Law School. She also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from IESE, Barcelona, Spain. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in Nigeria and has more than 21 years Industry experience. At various points, Mrs. Ugochukwu had been in Operations, Treasury Management and Corporate Services functions. She is a regular speaker on Ethics, Personal Financial Planning and Wealth Preservation. She was appointed to the Board in April, 2012.

AKU P. ODINKEMELU. – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mrs. Aku Odinkemelu holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons.) from University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1986) and Barrister at Law (BL) degree from the Nigerian Law School (1987) Lagos. She is a graduate of the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) from Harvard Business School (2008). Mrs. Odinkemelu has also served as a Non-Executive Director in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Sierra Leone and Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc. She had worked with Access Bank Plc, former Equitorial Trust Bank Limited and Continental Merchant Bank Plc and comes with over 25 years’ experience in various areas of banking. She was appointed to the Board in August 2014 as Executive Director, South.

ADEYEYE OLAWALE ADEPEGBA –  Executive Dir.

Adeyeye Adepegba holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University, United Kingdom (Merit) a Master’s degree in Industrial & Labour Relations (MILR) as well as a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Prior to his appointment, Adeyeye was the General Manager/Group Head, Power & infrastructure, Corporate Banking Division at the bank. Some of the transactions he effectively executed include: Origination and Consummation of the $25.5 million non-recourse Project Finance 12.5 MW Independent Power Plant for the Lagos State Water Corporation; Origination and risk assessment of the $151 million 120 kilometre Gas Pipelines Infrastructure by Gasland Nigeria Limited, operators of the VI, Lekki, Epe Gas distribution concession by NNPC (PPP) etc. A banker with 26 years post qualification experience in business origination, Adepegba will bring to bear his strong leadership, organizational and relationship management skills to meet the long-term goals and objectives of the Bank. He takes over from John Obi who reached the Bank’s policy retirement age of 55 years and retired at the end of July 31, 2015.

NNEKA CHINWE ONYEALI-IKPE – Execitive Dir.

Nneka Onyeali – Ikpe has extensive industry experience in Retail/Commercial Treasury and Corporate Banking spanning over 24 years, having at various times, held middle, senior and executive management positions. Prior to her appointment, Nneka was an Executive Director at Enterprise Bank where she successfully set up the Retail Banking Group using the segmentation framework with a Risk Asset portfolio in excess of N5 billion within one year. Recognising the importance of Small Medium Enterprises in the country’s economic growth equation, Onyeali- Ikpe successfully established the SME Group for Enterprise Bank with a Risk Asset portfolio in excess of N45 billion within a year and half using carefully designed product papers tailored towards specific target segments. Nneka who holds Bachelors of Law (LLB) and Masters of Law (LLM) degrees from the University of Nigeria and Kings College, London, respectively takes over from Ikemuefuna Mbagwu.

BASHARI MOHAMMED GUMEL

A seasoned administrator who began his early career as a civil servant in 1968, Alhaji Bashari M. Gumel is an alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. As a civil servant, Gumel rose to the position of Permanent Secretary in 1980 when he retired to venture into private business. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public & Social Administration from South Devon Technical College, Torquay, England. Gumel sits on the Board of several companies and is currently the Chairman of Jafa Foam Products Limited.

ROBERT NNANA-KALU

Nnana-Kalu holds an M.A. in International Relations as well as Bachelor of Laws from University of Kent, at Canterbury, Kent England. He also obtained a Master of Laws from Kings College University of London, England. He practiced law in the firm of Chief K.K. Ogba Chambers, Owerri, before joining star Paper Mills Ltd, Aba, as Manager, Legal Services & Corporate Affairs. He rose to the position of Executive Director in the company in 1995 a position he holds till date. From 2001 to 2005, Mr Nnanna-Kalu was the Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Imo/Abia Chapter, as well as a National Council member of the association. He has travelled extensively in Nigeria and overseas. He joined the Board of Fidelity Bank, July 2012.

GABRIEL KAYODE OLOWONIYI

Gabriel Olowoniyi is an alumnus of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti and the Institute of Chatered Secretaries and Administrators, London. A Chartered Secretary and Administrator of long standing, Mr Olowoniyi is currently a Director of Amazing Inspiration Media Limited, among many other companies.

ICHIE NNAETO ORAZULIKE

Ichie Nnaeto Orazulike holds a B.Sc in Accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He began private business in 1993 when he started Genesis Foods Limited, a frontline Industrial catering services company. His vast chain of other successful businesses includes Orazulike Trading Company Limited; Stanchions Nigeria Limited and Genesis Deluxe Cinemas Limited.

MALLAM UMAR YAHAYA

Mallam Umar Yahaya holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1977 and 1981 respectively). He has an Advanced Diploma in Management from Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts (2001), and an Executive Management Diploma in Strategy & Organisation from Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA (2003). He was an Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria Plc. (1997 – 2004), with responsibility for policy formulation, strategic direction and day-to-day management of sector posting. He was also the Managing Director/Chief Executive of New Africa Merchant Bank (NAMB) Limited from 1992 to 1997. Umar Yahaya joined the Board of Fidelity Bank Plc. in 2005.

MICHAEL E OKEKE

Michael E. Okeke holds a B.Sc in Estate Management and Post Graduate Diploma in Political Science from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. He also holds an MBA in Business Administration from the Metropolitan School of Business & Management, United Kingdom. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Loan & Risk Management of Nigeria, and a Member of the Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors&Valuers (NIESV).

A proficient Estate Surveyor &Valuer with professional specialization in property valuation, project finance, procurements, syndicated asset management, valuation of aviation and navigation installations including aircraft, ships and vessels. He is currently the Managing Partner of Sun Oriala& Co, an estate management Firm. He joined the Board of Fidelity Bank Plc. with effect from October 23rd, 2014.

ALEX C. OJUKWU

Alex C. Ojukwu has over 25 years’ experience in diverse fields which includes Banking Services, Controls & Audit, Marketing, Power, Mining, Steel, Risk and Manufacturing. He joined Fidelity Bank Plc as a Non-Executive Director with effect from October 23, 2014. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Ogun State University and a Masters in Business Administration from the Federal University of Technology, Akure. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB), an alumnus of the Lagos Business School and a Member of the Institute of Risk Management. He is currently the Managing Director of Afro Asia Automobile & Plastics Limited (2011 – Date), a member of the Chicason Group. He was the Executive Director, Risk Management, Western Goldfields Group Limited and also the founder and Managing Partner of Damos Practice – Risk Management Consultants, after having left the services of Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank Limited) as Assistant Vice President in charge of Remedial Assets Management.

SENI ADETU

Chief Adetu brings 30 years of quality Private Sector experience having worked at the highest levels with John Holt Plc, Coca-Cola International and Diageo/Guinness Plc in different countries within and outside Africa. He was at various times MD of Coca-Cola English West Africa based in Ghana (2001); the first African MD/CEO and Executive Vice Chairman of Guinness Ghana Plc (2006), Group MD/CEO Diageo East Africa based in Kenya (2009) and until December 2014, MD/CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc and Executive Chairman Diageo Brands Nigeria.

He has considerable expertise in commercial, financial and governance best practices, gained from his experience with Diageo in the UK and leadership development programs with Coca-Cola in the US. A great marketer renowned for championing innovation in the FMCG’s, Chief Adetu was named Runner Up Forbes/CNBC Business Leader/CEO of the Year 2012 in East Africa. Chief Adetu, Founder/Group CEO of First Primus W.A. Limited, an upscale Integrated Marketing Communications company, is a Leadership Coach and facilitates on the Chief Executive Program of the Lagos Business School. He is a Chemical Engineering graduate and an MBA holder (with specialization in Marketing), both from the University of Lagos. He is married with children.

KINGS C. AKUMA

Kings C. Akuma is currently the Managing Director of Hammakopp Consortium Limited (an Affiliate of Nestoil Group Plc.). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (1984) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and an MBA from the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Akuma who is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria has hands-on extensive managerial experience in the Oil & gas services operations, relationships, security and Community management spanning Over 10 years.

Some of the major accomplishment Akuma recorded as MD of Hammakopp include: Execution of various road projects including 8km road in Okija; 10.5km road in Ichi near Orailfite; 6.5km road in Utuh all in Anambra State; 4km internal road for Nestoil in Port Harcourt, as well as the construction of staff Cuarters with full facilities; installation and commissioning of 80 ton/hour and 84 ton/hour Asphalt and Concrete Batching plant valued at over N500 million, etc. Regarded by his peers and contemporaries as a thoroughbred strategic change management specialist with Core competence in organisational structure and financial due diligence review, Akuma grew Hammakopp’s turnover from N800 million to close to N1.8 billion within one year.

Akuma also coordinated comprehensive financial due diligence on the following organisations. They include: First Atlantic Bank Plc. and Inland Bank Plc. (including the establishment of their business valuation based on which shares were exchanged); Toptree Oil Mills Limited, Aba; Guardian Trust Insurance Company Limited; Citizen International Bank Plc., Guardian Express Bank Plc., ACB International Bank Plc., Gulf Bank Plc., Assurance Bank Plc., etc. Boasting of over three decades of in-depth understanding of banking/ finance operations, consulting, manufacturing, due diligences and forensic accounting, Akuma acquired skills in project management, development and implementation of accounting and internal control system from scanning the wider horizon of the corporate environment.

CHARLES UMOLU

Charles Chidebe 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 (1973 – 1977) from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife. Umolu also bagged an MBA (1978 – 1979) from the same institution. His successive academic records earned him a National Scholarship in 1974 and a University Scholarship in 1975 where he obtained a distinction in Economics from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife. Major training programmes Charles attended include: Global Strategic Management, Harvard Business School (June 21-26, 2015); Directors Consortium, University of Chicago, Booth School of Business (October 6-10, 2014); Finance for Executive Programme, Columbia Business School, New York (April 2013); High Impact Leadership Programme, Columbia Business School, New York, December 2-7, 2012, amongst others.

Mr. Charles has served on the board of various organizations as an Executive Director and a Non-Executive Director. He currently serves on the board of Profound Securities Limited – a subsidiary of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). He was the Managing Director/CEO of Comet Merchant Bank Limited (1995-1997) a position he held until he resigned to join Corimol Nigeria Limited.

OUR MANAGEMENT

Nnamdi Okonkwo Managing-Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Balarabe-Deputy Managing Director, Chijioke Ugochukwu-Executive Director, Shared Services & Products, Aku Odinkemelu-Executive Director, Commercial & Consumer Banking, South, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe-Executive Director, Commercial & Consumer Banking, Lagos & South-West, Adeyeye Adepegba-Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Victor Abejegah-Chief Financial Officer, Leonard Ezugwu-Regional Head, Anambra, Enugu & Ebonyi Bank, Hassan Imam-Regional Head Abuja 1 Bank, Gbolahan Joshua-Chief Operations And Information Officer, Obaro Odeghe-Regional Head, Apapa Bank, Adeboye Ogunmolade-Chief Compliance Officer, Lazarus Okolie-Regional Head, Agege/Ikorodu Bank, Kenneth Opara-Divisional Head, Managed Sme & Consumer Sales Force, Kevin Ugwuoke-Chief Risk Officer, Chinweifenu Basil-Ezegbu-Chief Internal Auditor, Martins Izuogbe-Divisional Head, Operations, Taiwo Joda-Regional Head, Victoria Island Bank, Abolore Solebo-Divisional Head, Oil & Gas (Upstream), Desmond Anumkua-Divisional Head, Internal Control Compliance, Felicia Anya-Group Head, Credit Admin, Charles Nwachukwu-Chief Human Resources Officer, Abimbola Ilupeju-Divisional Head, Legal Advisory, Evi Kanu-Branch Leader, GRA Phase 1, Richard Madiebo-Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Charles Aigbe-Divisional Head, Brand & Communications, Halilu Malabu-Regional Head, Abuja 2 Bank, Jude Monye-Regional Head, Ikeja Bank, Janet Nnabuko-Head, Savings, Michael Nnaji-Divisional Head, Transport & Shipping, Ifeanyi Nwosu-Regional Head, Lagos Island Bank, Jude Ochili-Ag. Regional Head, Festac Bank, Olusegun Ojo-Head, Domestic Operations, Charles Onyeoguzoro-Divisional Head, Loan Processing & Monitoring, Mannir Ringim-Regional Head, North West 1 Bank, Musa Tarimbuka-Divisional Head, North East Bank, Omotoso Adeyinka-Head, South West Regional Bank, Wale Mesioye-Regional Head, South West 2 Bank, Chioma Nwankwo-Head, Private Banking, Ezenagu Chetachi-Regional Head, Yaba / Surulere, Onyekwere Nwanja-Ag. Head Telecoms, Zawiya Sadi-Regional Head, North Central Bank, Anumele Frank-Regional Head, Rivers/Bayelsa Bank, Egbuna Chukwudi-Regional Head, Imo/Abia Bank, Mukoro Ramat-Regional Head, Mid West Bank, Obiefuna Tonie-Divisional Head, Corporate Services, Ojo Adegboyega-Group Head, Domestic Operations