Hope Rises for Chartered Bankers as Group Launches 160-seater Smart Hub in UNIZIK

By Praise Chinecherem

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has launched a smart hub, named ‘CIBN Bankers Hall’, at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State to train and produce chartered bankers.

President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Dr Ken Opara, while opening the 160-seater hub, said the gesture was part of the institute’s commitment to advancing the course of banking and finance industry in Nigeria.

He said the hub was a smart resource centre, fully furnished and equipped with ultra-modern and digital facilities for the training and development of future-ready bankers.

He explained that the hub, targeted at bridging gap between theory and practice would expose students and the entire academic community to contemporary and emerging issues in the world of banking and finance.

He said, “This edifice 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.

“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.”

While appealing to the school management to prioritise the maintenance of the hub, Opara urged the students to use the hub judiciously to excel academically and in their chosen careers.

Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Charles Esimone described the project as the fastest to be delivered in the history of the university, just as he appreciated CIBN for the investment and provision of needed environment and support to equip students and prepare them for future.

He said, “This project was commissioned in April and today we are inaugurating it. This is the fasted 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.

“We’ve 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 organisations to emulate CIBN.”

In his remarks, Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Pius Okoye assured that the hub would be guarded jealously and would be put to optimal use.