The immediate past Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc, Urum Eke, fondly called UK Eke, recently celebrated his 60th birthday in Lagos with a book launch.
A statement issued on Monday stated that the event was a great time as family members, friends, and well-wishers poured praise on the man who dedicated his life to impacting people around him and making a life-changing influence.
It stated that goodwill messages poured in, and the auditorium was full of praises and eulogies for a selfless man who made a remarkable difference in all spheres of his life—at work, family, friends, colleagues, and the less fortunate.
“It was a twins event—the celebration of life and the launch of a book which revealed the laudable journey of Eke,” it stated.
Reviewing the book ‘IMPACT – A Life of Urum Kalu Eke’, the chief reviewer, Mr Olufemi Awoyemi, said the essence of the well-written non-fiction book is felt through its underlying message.
He noted that the knowledge-embedded book encapsulates the last 60 years of the celebrant under four impact areas: personal life, professional journey, people/community, and practised faith.
“The book’s title is simple but intriguing and captures the essence of a man known for his professionalism, rigour, and impact on matters he chooses to handle.
“’UK,’ as he is popularly called, has fought many battles in the trenches of Nigeria’s gripping financial service industry. Like his Abiribaforbearers, he has sumo-wrestled social prejudice, kick-boxed professional incompetence, and shoulder-blocked organisational drift,’’ he said.
The grand-styled occasion played host to a fat number of dignitaries, which include former Gubernatorial Candidate of Edo State under the Labour Party, Olumide Akpata; former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Ernest Ebi; Prof Emeritus Anya Anya; and Founder and former Chairman, Seplat Energy, Dr ABC Orjiakor.
Others include the Group Chairman, Chicason Industries Ltd., Chief Alex Okafor; ex-Partner Deloitte, Alhaji Lateef Bakare; Chairman, Board of Development Bank of Nigeria, Mr Kyari Bukar, as well as many other guests.
