Mike Nze, Awka.
The Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has declared that it’s Legacy project tagged the CIBN Bankers’hall endowed to the of Banking and Finance department of Unizik, Awka, Anambra state will equip students to excel in their fields of study.
The President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr Ken Opara made the declaration yesterday during the commissioning of the CIBN Bankers’hall, at the institution.
He stated that the commissioning of the hall would encourage a significant step towards equipping aspiring banking and finance professionals with the knowledge, skills and values needed to excel in their careers as they navigate the ever-changing financial services landscape.
He described the CIBN banker hall as a centre of excellence with 160 seater lecture theater, fully furnished and equipped with ultra-modern facilities
to advance teaching and learning In the institution.
According to him, the journey which started on April 3rd, 2023, when council performed the groundbreaking ceremony for this legacy project has been completed in record time.
“It stands as an emblem of the institute’s unwavering dedication to promoting scholarship and empowering the next generation.
“We believe that education is the cornerstone upon which societal progress is built, and the establishment of CIBN Bankers’ hall is an eloquent testimony of our commitment to this ideal.
“It will serve as a hub for innovation, research and the melting pot for training and development of future readymade banking and finance
professionals”, he said.
He urged students to ensure that they make good use of the facilities, and also charged management to prioritize it’s continued utility.
While commending Governor Charles Soludo for his administration’s focus on systematically developing a skilled, healthy and caring society aimed at transforming education in the state, he equally hailed the NAU VC, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone and his Deputy VCs for driving transformative initiatives in the institution.
He disclosed that the NAU project is the eighth Legacy building to be commissioned by the Institute, including similar Projects at the Polytechnic Ibadan (South-West Zone), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi (North-East Zone) and Federal Polytechnic Nekede (South-East Zone), among others.
He equally commended Governor Charles Soludo for his administration’s focus on systematically developing a skilled, healthy and caring society aimed at transforming education in Anambra state.
He also praised the NAU VC, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone and his Deputy VCs for driving transformative initiatives in the institution, adding that it’s partnership with NAU that began in 2008 is waxing stronger.
He disclosed that the NAU project is the eighth Legacy building to be commissioned by the Institute, including similar Projects at the Polytechnic Ibadan (South-West Zone), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi (North-East Zone) and Federal Polytechnic Nekede (South-East Zone), among others.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of Unizik, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, hailed the CIBN and council members for the intervention, which will improve both the students’ and lecturers’ performances.
He assured that NAU management will put in every effort to sustain this edifice and charged the students to see the future as beginning today, and urged them to start working seriously now.
“CIBN hall serves as the centre to equip your (students’) intellectual, psychological frame to prepare you for tomorrow. CIBN has provided us a place for research and to produce good results”, he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Dean, faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Prof Pius V. C, Okoye, described the 160 seating capacity lecture hall as a legacy project aimed at improving the in-put of lectures and performance of the students.
According to him, the CIBN Bankers’ hall epitomises corporate responsibility and confirms the CIBN as an institution that is committed to giving to the society needed educational development projects and training of competent and trusted bankers.
He challenged the HoD banking and finance, Dr Anyanwu Felicia Akujinma, her predecessor and the Chairman of CIBN Anambra state branch, Dr Ifeanyi Nwanna, the Chairman CIBN-Unizik Linkage program who is also the 2nd Vice Chairman CIBN Anambra state branch, Dr Patrick Mbanefo among others to guard the project jealously.
He also urged management of Unizik to provide adequate security, especially lightening gadgets to always illuminate the environment and guard against tampering with the installed equipment
