The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria has reiterated its resolve to strengthen banking and finance education in the country through the injection of professionalism into the teaching and learning of the course. The CIBN Bankers Hall was commissioned at the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa on Wednesday 12 October, 2022. The exquisite ultramodern edifice is a legacy project bestowed to the Federal Polytechnic endowed by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
The state-of-the-art edifice is one of the six model projects across the six geo-political zones endowed by the Institute. The Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa was chosen based on its sterling record as the best-performing tertiary institution in the CIBN linkage programme in the North central zone.
The smart, ultramodern edifice which serves as a lecture theatre, demonstration class and multipurpose centre was commissioned by the Emir of Nasarawa, who was ably represented by the Ubangarin Nasarawa, Dr. Dalhatu Jibril Usman.
While performing the commissioning ceremony, the Emir expressed his profound appreciation at the thoughtful gesture of the CIBN leadership to build legacy projects across the nation aimed at boosting educational enterprise.
He described the project as a well-thought-of legacy because it would stand the test of time in adding value to education in the polytechnic.
In his remarks, the President/Chairman of the CIBN Council, Dr. Ken Opara, FCIB congratulated the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa for emerging as the best Linkage institution in the Northcentral zone, an accomplishment which afforded the institution the rare privilege of being the beneficiary of our Institute’s Legacy Project in the zone. It also gladdens my heart to note that the linkage collaboration which was consummated between our Institute and the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa on November 27, 2012, during the tenure of then Rector, Dr. Pius Otaru Salami, who was a former member of the CIBN Governing Council is waxing stronger and this very building being commissioned today, is a clear testimony and convincing evidence.
This is the fifth legacy building to be commissioned by the Institute this year, in five geo-political zones. However, this is the first he will be commissioning in his capacity as the President/Chairman of Council of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). The previously commissioned Legacy Projects are endowed at The Polytechnic Ibadan (South-West Zone), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi (North-East Zone), Federal Polytechnic, Nekede (South-East Zone) and Rivers State University (South-South Zone). Last but not least is Kano State Polytechnic (North-West Zone) which is the last of the first phase of completion.
He called on corporate organizations and well-meaning Nigerians to join forces with the Government to rebuild and revamp the educational system in Nigeria, as education remains the bedrock of any meaningful development.
“To sustain the system, the government and the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) must reach an immediate and amicable settlement in favour of developing and sustaining the education section. It is heart-warming to note that ‘there’s light at end of tunnel’ as announced by ASUU,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed and believe that the recent indications of a truce to end the exactly eight-month-old strike action shall become a reality in a matter of days to save the future of Nigerian youths and the nation.
“As the conscience of the banking and finance industry, you can be rest assured that the Institute is resolute and committed to the observance and maintenance of ethics and professionalism among practitioners in the industry. The Institute will continue to foster and ensure that the highest standard of ethics is observed by practitioners in the discharge of their responsibilities to the banking public as well as enhancing the knowledge and capacity of all practicing Bankers and those who desire to become one, with the best-in-class learning models. We are resolutely committed to enhancing the employability and career growth of our members at all levels.
“It is imperative to also inform our teeming students that the institute is also focusing on the welfare of GENZs, Alpha and Beta Generations as they are the future of our sustainable human capacity in the industry especially in this digital age.”
He lauded the Rector, ESV. Dr. Abdullahi A. Ahmed, for his pragmatic and purposeful leadership in the institution and his uncommon dedication to the Linkage programme with the CIBN which has produced an ultra-modern Bankers Hall that is tastefully furnished and equipped, the Deputy Rector, (Admin), Dr. Abdullahi B. Makama, all the principal officers of the Polytechnic, the Dean School of Business Studies, Dr. Abdullahi D. Ibrahim, the Head of Department Banking & Finance, Mr. Busari Adekunle Hakeem, HCIB, Dr. Ekumankama, Ogbuagu, HCIB, (who was the coordinator of the Linkage programme when it started in the school) for their contribution to the success of the project.
In his speech at the event, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. (ESV) Abdullahi Alhassan Ahmed lauded the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria for its kind gesture in building a legacy project Polytechnic. The Rector described the CIBN as an organization that has shown uncommon commitment to the advancement of the Banking and Finance education in Nigeria, adding that the donation of the Bankers Hall is a gesture that is noble because it is goaded towards uplifting educational standards. Remarkably, the Rector pledged the commitment of the Polytechnic towards the maintenance of the edifice for the sake of posterity.
Dignitaries at the event cut across all strata of the society just as the Polytechnic community came out en masse to savour the euphoria of the ceremony.