Erastus Akingbola, OON

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

The banking icon took over the reign of leadership from Mrs. Juliet Madubueze, the 14^th and first female president of the institute in an elaborate ceremony which attracted the leading lights of the industry.

Dr Akingbola in his acceptance speech promised to initiate strategies to make CIBN a world class institute comparable to any other around the world in terms of membership, facilities, influence, visibility and support.

“We must build that world class Institute which we desire, one that we are 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, Asia will scramble to associate with”, he said

To achieve this laudable goal, Dr. Akingbola said the institute would have to quickly emplace initiatives that will not only galvanise its members but stimulate both professional and institutional growth.

Akingbola a consummate banker and seasoned administrator is hoping to turnaround the fortunes of the institute through a 20-point agenda which he has christened the new deal.

Prominent among the strategic 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 during and 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 a prime qualification by employers in the banking industry”, he said.

Other measures lined up to position the institute as a world class organization, include the continuous skill development and education of members, review of the institute’s curriculum and courses and certification of microfinance practitioners.

Dr. Akingbola said the CIBN will now play a significant role in national economic development by contributing not just to shaping monetary policies but also participating actively and positively in national socio-economic policy formulation and execution.

he said the CIBN will expand its relationship with regulatory bodies to leadership institutions 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. The same will be extended to the Presidency and State Governors. The benefits from such relationships are best imagined in terms of understanding and contributions to national economic development”, he said.

Dr Akingbola is expected to add panache to the office and use his wealth of experience and influence to reposition the institution.

EMEKA ANAETO

HEAD, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS