CEM REPORT, EDUCATION | Impact is the essence of existence. The value of any organization is wholly placed on the impact it is making on its industry, community and the wider society. In placing the value of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) rightly, the quote of Punit Renjen comes to mind, he says; “An organization’s culture of purpose answers the critical question of who it is and why it exists….”
The declaration of the President and Chairman of Council of CIBN, Dr Ken Opara at the ground breaking ceremony of a-160 ultramodern hall in Kwara State University, aligns with Punit Renjen’s statement. Opara said; “part of what we do in the CIBN is to create capacity and connect students to economic reality; we build future leaders in CIBN.”
This is a declaration of a ‘culture of purpose’ that spells real value which span beyond ‘profit making’ but to an instituted commitment to impact the banking industry, the educational sector and the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
THE CIBN BANKERS HALL symbolizes the declaration by Dr Opara who while delivering his aggress also said; “…It symbolizes our belief in the transformative power of education to shape competent and future-ready professionals who will play pivotal roles in steering the course of the nation’s financial sector.”
The ground breaking ceremony of the learning legacy project was held on Tuesday, 16th January, 2024 at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete in the company of notable personalities of the academic institution and CIBN
This is a gesture that CIBN has decided to extend to the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria as a way to extend the frontiers of a collaboration on a Linkage programme between the Institute and selected tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The Linkage programme, which currently has on board seventy-seven (77) tertiary institutions in Nigeria, commenced in KWASU on November 21, 2017, with the execution of a Collaboration Agreement between The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and Kwara State University.
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According to Ken Opara’s address, Kwara State University was selected as one of the beneficiaries of the learning legacy project in acknowledgement of the role the University plays in fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence.
Ken Opara said that the one Hundred and Sixty (160) seater lecture theatre will be fully furnished and equipped with ultra-modern gadgets and will serve as the melting pot for the training and development of future-ready bankers.
Truly, “In a world characterised by rapid technological advancements and dynamic shifts in the financial landscape, the need for a well-equipped and forward-looking educational infrastructure cannot be overstated”; Opara said.
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria’s commitment to impactful collaborative programs and learning enhancement projects in Nigerian tertiary is one worthy of emulation. This call the CIBN President also made as he concluded his speech. He said; “Together, let us continue to invest in education, for it is the catalyst that empower individuals to think, innovate, and lead.”
CIBN has truly assumed a trail blazer in first, the most needed collaboration to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional application and second, the needed support to meet higher institutions’ infrastructural deficit. These two are needed to be able to raise the quality of higher education products who will be able to handle the economic drive for our national growth and development.
On 25 July, 2023, an exquisite ultra-modern CIBN Bankers Hall was commissioned at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye by the Institute as part of the legacy projects for its performance in the Linkage programme
In November, 2023, CIBN and LBS commemorated the commencement of the CIBN/LBS collaborative Chartered Banker/SMP two-in-one programme, a programme where you can earn the Chartered Banker designation (ACIB) and the SMP certification by completing the Chartered Banker (ACIB) and SMP programme.
