CIBN revives mentorship initiative for bank workers

By Zainab Iwayemi

In a bid to upscale the leadership capacity and productivity of workers within the financial and banking sector, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has announced the re-launch of its mentoring scheme in a virtual programme themed Unlocking Career Potentials and possibilities held virtually and monitored by Business A.M.

Speaking on the importance of the programme, Lamido Yuguda, director general, Securities and Exchange Commission, explained that mentoring schemes are essential to keep employees focused and help them develop as it is built upon values around trust and professionalism.

“These values are better taught and reinforced when practised by the senior co-workers and emulated by junior colleagues. Such initiatives enable workers to avoid being distracted by the material, prestigious and monetary incentives the space presents. However, mentorship relationships help to keep bankers grounded and focused on building character, increasing their knowledge, and growing their professional network. This is important because what makes success sustainable is the combination of skills, experience and the right values,” he said

Going further, he stressed that the mentorship programme is necessary to ensure knowledge and skill sustainability in the banking sector “Mentoring also helps to maintain the dignity and integrity of the Banking industry as mentees progress in their careers they would be able to transfer their experiences and knowledge to junior colleagues. Owing to the complexity in today’s world it has become more paramount than ever to generate a sustainable and productive system that would boost the sector and the economy of the nation as a whole,” he added

In the view of Lowo-Adesola Abidemi, managing director and head, Financial Institution Africa, Standard Chartered Bank Limited, the importance of having mentees that have adequate skills and knowledge as well as good character and reputation required of them to effectively impact others positively.

“A mentor tends to benefit from the satisfactory feeling of contributing and developing others. In addition to that, it is part of a socio-economic and community development effort that is part of the mission of CIBN. Also, as a mentor, we are challenged to harness our leadership and teaching skills” Nneka Okekearu, deputy director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan Atlantic University added