AWKA/Nigeria: The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) marked a significant milestone on Tuesday with the grand inauguration of the ‘CIBN Bankers Hall’ at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) in Awka. This state-of-the-art hub, designed to accommodate 160 eager learners, symbolizes CIBN’s unwavering dedication to advancing the banking and finance sector within Nigeria.
Dr. Ken Opara, the distinguished President/Chairman of Council at CIBN, presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony, underscoring the institution’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of chartered bankers. The ‘CIBN Bankers Hall’ stands as a resplendent testament to this noble objective.
The newly inaugurated hub emerges as a beacon of knowledge, teeming with modern amenities and cutting-edge digital facilities designed to shape and develop future-ready banking professionals. Dr. Opara articulated the hub’s mission, emphasizing that it will serve as a conduit to introduce students and the broader academic community to contemporary and evolving facets of the financial world.
In his words, Dr. Opara expounded on the essence of this edifice, saying, “This edifice that is being inaugurated today will be known and called ‘CIBN Bankers Hall’. It is a hub for learning and production of chartered bankers from this great citadel of learning. We believe that education is the cornerstone upon which societal progress is built, and the establishment of this hub is an eloquent testimony of our commitment to this ideal.”
He further asserted, “By endowing this hall, we are taking a significant step toward equipping aspiring banking and finance professionals with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to excel in their careers. We aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice, academia and industry, thereby providing a world-class learning environment where students can gain practical exposure and hands-on experience.”
Dr. Opara, cognizant of the hub’s importance, appealed to the school management to prioritize its maintenance, and he also urged the students to utilize the facility judiciously to excel academically and in their chosen careers.
Professor Charles Esimone, the Vice-Chancellor of NAU, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to CIBN for its substantial investment and unwavering support in providing a conducive environment for students to prepare for their futures. He remarked, “This project was commissioned in April, and today we are inaugurating it. This is the fastest project to be delivered in the history of the university, and we are grateful for the corporate social responsibility extended to us. I want to tell CIBN that you will never regret making this investment in the university.”
Furthermore, Professor Esimone highlighted NAU’s remarkable ascent in national rankings, asserting, “NAU has moved from number 36 to number four in the national ranking, therefore, it has become a destination for any support and investment. I urge other organizations to emulate CIBN.”
Professor Pius Okoye, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at NAU, pledged the university’s dedication to safeguarding and optimizing the use of the newly inaugurated hub. This assurance underscores the pivotal role ‘CIBN Bankers Hall’ will play in shaping the future of banking and finance education in Nigeria.
