CIBN Annual Seminar In Asaba: Oborevwori Tasks Banks On Professional Ethics, Support For Investments • Ex-Banker, Current Delta State SSG, Kingsley Emu Backs Gov. Oborevwori’s Call, Asks Banks To Mitigate KYC Challenges, Others
THE Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Delta State Branch third Annual Seminar/Bankers’ Forum Dinner, was graced by Delta State Governor, Rt. (Hon.) Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, with a call on the banking industry to do more in supporting investments and growth of the real sector.
Saying that his administration is taking business and investment promotion very seriously with a number of developmental strides so far recorded within his first 100 days in office, Governor Oborevwori, speaking through his Chief of Staff, Hon. Johnson Erijo, added that the theme of the CIBN Annual Seminar “Financial Inclusion and Economic Development in Nigeria” is apt given the burgeoning number of the unbanked population, stating that greater financial literacy will enable more people to take advantage of various supportive policies and programmes of the state government aimed at enhancing the lives of all Deltans.
The Governor speaking through his representative during the Bankers’ Forum Dinner, held last Saturday at Springhill Hotel, Asaba, also charged banks on their professional ethics and leadership in the banking industry, saying that Nigerians will be better off with a more seamless and smooth running banking industry devoid of the present challenges.
Secretary to Delta State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, an ex-banker, while speaking during the seminar held earlier in the afternoon, concurred with Governor Oborevwori’s position that the theme of the seminar is timely, coming at a time the country is facing numerous KYC challenges, saying that such challenges that has to do with the KYC- Know Your Customer has tripled, even quadrupled. The SSG said: “there is a co-relation between financial inclusion and economic development, making the theme of the seminar very contemporary.”
Emu said that as an ex-banker, he remains committed to the cause of the CIBN, while he thanked the body for the recent HCIB award conferred on him. He also congratulated Barr. Charles Ojakovo who is also a member of the CIBN Governing Council, for his re-election as Chairman, CIBN, Delta State Branch, during the branch AGM/elections held earlier in the morning.
Other elected members of the state exco included Sir Amechi Bayem who was re-elected as 1st vice chairman, Mr. Omokhuale Christopher Omeniah who was the auditor in the last exco but now elected as 2nd vice chairman, Moemeke Scholastica returned as general secretary, while Aghahowa Omorede who was treasurer in the last exco is now the auditor and John Samson Abiodun who was publicity secretary in the last exco is now the treasurer. Those who returned to their former positions included Mr. Orji Ogbonnaya Emmanuel as assistant secretary, Faith Omasan Edon as assistant secretary II, Mr. Samuel Oyedele as financial secretary, while the ex-officio members remained Dame Elizabeth Agu who was the pioneer chairperson of the branch, Sir Azoro Omeire, Engr. Jude Mgbeze, Sir Friday Ndu Eluwa, Okolie Joseph and Ralph Rapu.
Another highlight was the conferment of the CIBN Excellence in Service Award on Sir Amechi Bayem, Engr. Jude Mgbeze, Christopher Omokhuale, Omasan Faith Edon, Scholastica Moemeke, Joseph Okolie and Samuel Oyedele in the individual category. Also, Union Bank won the “Most Punctual Bank in CIBN Quarterly Meetings’, while the “Most Supportive Institutional Member” went to Polaris Bank while the “Best in Service Delivery” award was won by Sterling Bank. During the occasion, the 22nd President/Chairman of Council, Dr. Ken Opara was represented by Dr. Godwin Adolor, member of the governing council while the South South Zonal Coordinator, Onwuka Chinenye Ojiugo was present.
The host, Chairman of CIBN, Delta State Branch, Charles Ojakovo, said “the branch has continued to grow from strength to strength over the years. The Delta State branch had at various times embarked on sensitization programmes in institutions of higher learning in Delta State. We had also at different occasions carried out various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.”
