The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on Thursday held a virtual graduation ceremony for 333 graduates under its Stream 3 Mentorship Scheme for professional excellence.
CIBN president, Prof. Pius Olarenwaju, during the virtual ceremony which had bank managers and other experts in attendance, said mentorship was important for professional excellence and accelerated career growth.
Olarenwaju said that CIBN was intentionally raising the bar of excellence through transfer of knowledge and skills by older experienced bankers to the younger generation.
He added that CIBN was using the mentoring scheme for capacity building for young professionals through guidance and networks necessary for success in the industry.
He added that the foundation for long-term success in any career is built on mentorship to ensure adherence to values, ethics and adaptability.
He said the theme, “Mentoring for Competitive Edge: Navigating Today’s Career Landscape”, resonated deeply with current challenges and opportunities in the banking and finance sector.
He said the industry was rapidly evolving through technological innovations, regulations and shifting customer expectations, hence the need for competitive edge.
“Our goal has been to create a platform that connects ambitious young bankers with seasoned professionals who have walked the path before them – professionals who can offer not only career advice but also the wisdom gained from years of experience.
“At the heart of our mission at CIBN is the pursuit of excellence and growth through mentorship, and this aligns perfectly with my strategic focus for the institute,” he said.
Olarenwaju commended mentors for their commitment to shaping young minds for the continued growth of the banking profession.
He also congratulated graduating stream three mentees and urged them to use newly learnt skills to grow the banking and finance sector and groom other colleagues to become better.
The managing director of Keystone Bank, Hassan Imam, commended CIBN, while urging mentees to continually be innovative thinkers who should not be afraid to take calculated risks.
Managing director Lotus Bank, Kafilat Araoye, represented by Saheed Ekeolere, also commended the scheme and urged mentees to use the lessons and relationships built to craft a remarkable future.
“The banking industry needs innovative, ethical, and dynamic leaders, and I do not doubt that many of you will be those leaders,” she said.
Director, Human Resources, NDIC, Yakubu Mohammed, stressed the need for adaptive mindset due to changing banking landscape while urging mentees to continually seek out mentors to become better.
Mohammed also advised mentees to always be cautious of how their decisions affect regulators and others in the banking and financial services value chain.
The guest speaker, managing director, Jaiz Bank, Dr Haruna Musa, explained the importance of mentorship for career growth and its advantages for safety and sustainability of the banking industry.
Musa highlighted roles of mentors which helped to shape his own career and professional growth while urging mentees to embrace mentorship as a goal for long-term success.
He urged mentees to give back to the industry by “becoming mentors themselves in the future, helping cultivate the next generation of banking professionals”.
Mentees took turns to share their experiences while Aderonke Alabi from Access Bank, who spoke on their behalf of others, thanked CIBN and mentors for sharpening their skills.
Group head, Customer Experience Management & Sustainability, Polaris Bank Ltd., Bukola Oluyadi, who responded on behalf of the mentors, thanked CIBN for providing the platform for skills development.
She added that the scheme also provided an opportunity for mentors to learn from the younger generation.
Other speakers said mentorship is important for survival of organisations and challenged mentees to uphold high ethical standards as they connect, learn and grow.
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