Akingbola takes over as CIBN president

04.05.2008

A resurgence of theOrganised Private Sector (OPS) influence in the banking and finance sector appears underway with the emergence of Dr. Erastus Akingbola, Group Chief Executive of Intercontinental Bank yesterday as the 15th President /Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Erastus took over the leadership from Mrs. Juliet Madubueze, the first female president of the institute, in an elaborate ceremony . In his acceptance speech,Akingbola promised to initiate strategies that will make CIBN a world class institute in terms of membership, facilities, influence, visibility and support. “We must build that world class Institute which we desire,that we will be proud to associate with, one that impacts positively on our career growth, one that sets the agenda for the banking industry, for business and the economy and one that bankers from across the world, Europe, America, will scramble to associate with”, he said

To achieve this, Akingbola said the institute will have to quickly put in place initiatives that will galvanise its members and stimulate professional and institutional growth. Akingbola hopes to turnaround the fortunes of the institute through a 20-point agenda christened“The New Deal”.

Prominent in the agenda is his plan to strengthen the acceptance of ACIB qualification in public and private enterprises. He said the Institute will now play a leading role in promoting the acceptance of ACIB certificates within the AAIOB members countries and beyond.

Most importantly, he said, banks will be encouraged to engage ACIB holders who lost their jobs since the consolidation as a way of bringing experienced hands back to the industry. “We shall be vigorous in the pursuit of the final gazetting of the ACIB qualification in government scheme of service ,while driving for the acceptance of the ACIB as qualification by employers in the industry”, he said.

Other measures lined up to position the institute include continuous skill development,education of members,review of the institute’s curriculum and courses and certification of microfinance practitioners. “The CIBN will now play a role in national economic development by contributing to shaping monetary policies and participating in national socio-economic policy formulation and execution,”he said

He also said CIBN will expand its relationship with regulatory bodies , such as the Presidency and National Assembly. “The Institute will establish a National Assembly Liaison office to strengthen relationship and boost communication between bankers and the Senate and House of Representatives. Same for the Presidency and State Governors,” he said.