CIBN donates lecture hall to Fed. Poly Nekede
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has donated a multi-million naira lecture theatre to the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, to promote the study of banking and finance.
The construction of the 160 capacity lecture hall known as CIBN Bankers Hall with free WiFi facility, commenced on Nov. 16, 2022.
Inaugurating the project on Thursday, the CIBN President/Chairman of Council, Dr Bayo Olugbemi, said the legacy project would serve as an important tool in the delivery of high-quality education to future bankers.
Olugbemi said the project was being instituted in six higher institutions across the country to complement the government’s effort at providing quality education.
“This project represents our modest contribution to the development of banking and finance education in Nigeria.
“The hall will also be used to organise regular town and gown engagements with a view to exposing students and the entire academic community to contemporary and emerging issues in the world of banking,” he said.
Olugbemi urged corporate entities and well-meaning Nigerians to join forces with the government to rebuild and revamp the educational system.
He also urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to amicably resolve the issues relating to the lingering strike for the benefit of youths and the educational sector.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said the legacy project would help improve the education sector in the institution.
Nwajiuba, who was represented by the Deputy Director (Accounts) in the ministry, Mr Ayanwole Omolosho, urged the CIBN to sustain its efforts in promoting the education sector.
Also speaking, Gov. Hope Uzodimma, commended CIBN for exhibiting elements of integrity, ethics, trust and honesty, which he said were critical to economic growth.
Uzodimma, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku, urged students to associate themselves with entrepreneurial development rather than wait for non-existing white collar jobs.
Earlier, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Dr Michael Arimanwa, commended the institute for showing commitment to the project and for advancing banking and finance education in the country.
Arimanwa said the relationship between the institution and the institute dated back to 2015 when a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for linkage programme was signed.
“Since then, we have continued to encourage our students to leverage on this opportunity to become chartered bankers,” he said.
Arimanwa said the institution was committed to the advancement of knowledge, especially in the field of technology.
“Recently, we signed an MOU with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company following a successful production of a material suitable for fabrication of the body of vehicles.
“We have also signed an MOU with a University in Ukraine for an exchange programme,” he added.
