Meet the Taraba state wizkid provoking positive change at the CBN

By Beatrice Uchenna

After the recent stories of gloom and doom that assailed the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN as a result of the malfeasance of the Emefiele era, new things are starting to happen at the apex bank. Fresh things are happening and better news are tumbling out of the decaying edifice. One man stand ls in the middle of the new day: Dr Bala M Bello.

Young, tall and full of energy, the fulani man from Sarduana local government, Taraba state is gradually becoming the poster child of the new direction. Right from childhood, it was clear that Bello was destined for greatness. Humble, ascetic and upright, meeting this man is akin to coming face to face with a living legend. His wits, his professionalism and his courage are now adding to this sweet aroma seeping out of the CBN.

Bala M. Bello assumed office as a Deputy Governor at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on October 5, 2023. Before his appointment at the CBN, Bala was the Executive Director (Corporate Services) of Nigerian Export – Import Bank, as appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 20th April, 2017.

With an intimidating CV that shows years of experience in banking, global finances and top level knowhow of the capital markets, BMB, as he’s well known, is wading through the thick morass and charting a brilliant path for the future of banking. He has many friends and fans but has also acquired some bitter, disgruntled accusers of brethren. Recently some of them went into questioning his patriotism and good intentions. Their arguments was hollow and baseless. Thankfully, almost everyone saw through the porous points and empty submissions.

Obviously, one of the pieces was written by an aggrieved and frustrated staff. I have known Bala since 2011 and he has never displayed any act of bias, unfriendliness or ethnic chauvinism till this day. He wasn’t unemployed for 4 years, rather he was MD/CEO of a Premium PFA associate company and I can tell you that it was a financially rewarding work. This was after he rejected being an MD/CEO of another PFA that had lots of infighting. Hitherto, his exit out of Sigma PFA wasn’t because of fraud or mismanagement of funds, rather another pharaoh that wasn’t in good terms with the boss that made him ED, took over and went after the loyalists of his predecessor.

Bala is a detribalised, good natured and free spirited person, that understands his calling and responsibilities. He’s the type of competent people the country need to make more progress, but I can see that people obviously touched by this CBN rationalisation are out to blackmail or paint him in bad light.

I urge him to continue doing the right thing, as the just would be vindicated in due course.