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Pius Olanrewaju Inaugurated as 23rd President of CIBN

Written by Jerry Alomatu on May 17, 2024

News Views: 242

Professor Pius Olanrewaju has been inaugurated as the 23rd President and Chairman of the Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Justice Owolabi Dabiri at an event in Lagos on Friday, chaired by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wole Olanipekun. Following the oath, Olanrewaju was adorned with the official insignia of his new position.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Banking, Nwachukwu Eze, praised the outgoing CIBN president, Ken Opara, and urged the new leadership to leverage technology to enhance financial inclusion.

Abbas remarked, “As we welcome the new President and Chairman of the Council, we must reflect on the evolving challenges and opportunities within the banking sector. Technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifting customer behaviors continuously drive this evolution.”

He emphasized the need for CIBN to maintain a commitment to excellence and innovation amidst these changes. “The new leadership must adopt new ideas and emerging technologies, and promote collaboration within the industry to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.”

Highlighting the importance of financial inclusion, Abbas stated, “Despite progress in expanding access to financial services, millions of Nigerians remain excluded from the formal banking sector. All stakeholders, including CIBN, must enhance efforts to promote financial literacy, expand access to finance, and foster inclusive growth.”

Bello Hassan, Managing Director and CEO of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of cybersecurity. He called for a collaborative approach to cyber risk management to ensure the banking system’s resilience.

Other newly elected CIBN officeholders include First Vice President Dele Alake, Second Vice President Mojisola Bakare-Asieru, and National Treasurer Peter Ashade.