Protocols
 

It gives me great pleasure to be invited as a Special Guest at the 2017 CIBN Graduates’ Induction and Prize Award Day. I wish to express my gratitude to the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), for this invitation and for requesting me to deliver a short remark to the inductees and other guests invited to this August occasion. Let me reiterate the fact that your invitation for me equally goes further to demonstrate the long lasting relationship and collaborative partnership between the NDIC and CIBN to pursue goals for excellence and professionalism in the banking system while maintaining stability in the Nigerian financial system.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, my task is made very easy going by the caliber of the Guest Speakers, Mr. Olabode Agusto and Chief (Mrs.) Eniola Fadayomi, MFR, FIoD. This topic is expected to open our minds to unexplored areas where a lot more should be done in our collective efforts to develop Entrepreneurship Mindsets, which is a very critical success factor for any Professional in the contemporary 21st Century business environment.

As you are all aware, the Deposit Insurance System being administered by the NDIC was designed as a risk-minimizer with the core mandate of deposit guarantee by insuring bank deposit liabilities, supervising insured banking institutions to monitor their risk exposure and ensure orderly resolution of failing and failed insured institutions. In the light of these responsibilities, the NDIC places a lot of importance on continuous high level training in order to achieve these core mandates. The NDIC has over the years, ensured adequate capacity building for all its employees, especially Bank Examiners and Bank Analysts so as to enhance their investigative and analytical skills for superior performance.

To this end, i am happy to state that the CIBN and NDIC have over the years been collaborating in human capacity building initiatives in which the NDIC has sponsored some of its staff on the Chartered Banker/Master in Business Administration (CB/MBA) program at Bangor University, Scotland. The CB/MBA scheme is targeted at up-scaling the skill gaps of our staff in the lower/middle managerial cadre. Since the beginning of the program in 2013, a total of seventy seven (77) staff had been enrolled in the Chartered Banker Bangor Programme. I am happy to note that since its inception, twenty seven (27) staff have graduated from the programme, and with today’s additional nineteen (19), the total number of our staff that have graduated from the programme is now forty six (46). The others are at various stages of completion. Also worthy of note is the recent accreditation of NDIC Academy by the CIBN as a world class provider of training in banking supervision and deposit insurance for the African Region.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me to remind us of the fact that the banking environment is inherently dynamic and highly unstable. Therefore, there are a number of changes including the forces of globalization of banking; economic uncertainties; advances in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), such as block chain technology, virtual currency, among others, which our bankers must grapple with as our banking industry is already witnessing rapid changes with the introduction of technology, new products and services.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me to remind us of the fact that the banking environment is inherently dynamic and highly unstable. Therefore, there are a number of changes including the forces of globalization of banking; economic uncertainties; advances in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), such as block chain technology, virtual currency, among others, which our bankers must grapple with as our banking industry is already witnessing rapid changes with the introduction of technology, new products and services.

The current economic situation which most developing countries, including Nigeria are facing underscores the need to pay greater attention to issues such as financial literacy, consumer protection, sustainability and innovative financial services solutions, such as mobile money, agency banking, virtual currency, which must be harnessed and integrated into our financial services industry. This has become necessary so as to enhance the role of the banking system as a key driver for economic growth and development.

In view of the above challenges, continuous learning and personal development for bankers is very critical. Most successful leaders are those individuals who are self-aware and adapt to situations and circumstances with optimum emotional intelligence. The successful completion of your programme which culminates in today’s induction is a testimony of your hard work and proficiency. I therefore implore all the inductees today to embrace life-long learning and self-development in their future careers and professional endeavours. You must remember that what you do today can improve your future life endeavours. Always have it in your mind that the road to success and the road to failure in life are almost exactly the same.

I enjoin you to live above board, be morally upright, fair and just in the treatment of your stakeholders, especially, bank customers. You are privileged to serve all manner of customers, both the educated and the uneducated. You must always treat them with utmost care. You must shun all unlawful activities, shun corruption and avoid the temptation of getting rich quick. I urge you to remain professional and upright so that you can have a bright and meaningful future.

Once again, I congratulate the CIBN and all the inductees today for your successful attainment of the Associate Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB) qualification.

I thank you for your attention.