The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) said it would introduce a programme to enhance human capital development under town and gown arrangement in the country.
President of the institute, DrUcheOlowu, announced the plan at a Special Luncheon organised for him by Caleb University, Imota, Ogun State. He said the programme would bring professionals and academics together for manpower development.
Olowu said through long interaction with the Caleb University, CIBN had realised there was a huge gap existing between town and gown in terms of manpower development.“We found out that there is one particular thing that Caleb University has done and that is bringing people that have had field experience into the academics to impact on students.
“I’ve served as governing council member of a university, I’ve interacted with employers and therefore, I’ve seen that there is that gap between town and gown.
“Timothy Franz Geithner, the former Treasury Secretary of the U.S., when he finished serving, he left for Harvard; the former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, when she finished serving, she went to a university, why is it so?
“It’s a tradition in America because they need to bring practical experience to university students so that they will have that experience preparing them for democracy,’’ Olowu said.
He said CIBN, under the programme, planned to get competent persons that have made their marks in their chosen industry to go to universities to lecture just to deliver their experience.
“Already, I have sold the idea to the Group General Manager of Chevron and he has expressed his readiness to be part of the programme
“In fact, so many people whom I have spoken to are excited about the idea and ready to collaborate with us on this programme.
“Even our research with university professors, they are also interested because they recognised the necessity to ensure an effective nexus between the academics and operators in the labour market.
“What we are experiencing today, banks are spending quite a lot of money in training and retraining of graduates and so, we felt that this programme, by the time we are done with the groundwork, you (Caleb) as a trailblazer will also be a beneficiary of it.’’
He thanked the university authorities for honouring him and assured them of the continued relationship between CIBN and Caleb University to boost the opportunity of developing human capital in the financial sector.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Daniel Aina, commended the cordial relationship that existed between the two bodies which, he described as crucial to human capital development in the financial sector of the country.
Aina said the luncheon was organised to cement the relationship and raising the CIBN as a key stakeholder and citizen of the Caleb University carrying its flag anywhere in the world.
“The proprietor, Board of Trustees and the Governing Council of the university, really appreciate the association and relationship between the university and the CIBN.
“We are particularly delighted that CIBN gave the immediate past president, who is our Dean of Postgraduate College, the maximum support while he was served the institute.
“We are also more elated that the transition process in the CIBN was concluded very well.
“We want to assure that the core leadership at the Caleb will meet with the leadership of the CIBN so that as the transition continues, we will be partnering on the development as it affects human and capital developments,’’ the V-C said.
