by philip eke, yenagoa
The Nigeria Institute of Bankers Bayelsa State Chapter recently organized end of year party and award ceremony at the renowned Tamara Event Centre Yenagoa, in attendance were array of personalities, including friends, customers, family members.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Bankers Bayelsa State Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, encouraged members to embrace challenges, while thanking them for their great support. He pledged to dedicate himself in serving humanity, especially members, while ensuring that when he step down in completing his tenure, he would have creditably delivered on the mandate of the institution which he is been assigned.
The bankers end of year dinner/ award meeting was to create an opportunity to interface, dialogue, wine and dine in reflection of the past year activities. While describing the banking profession as reputable venture, although very rigorous in venture, but with the intervention of God Almighty all is well, but customers satisfaction is the basic watch dog. More so, using the medium to appreciate past leaders who has taken the institute to greater height, stressing that the institute stands out as the greatest of them all, he thanked members for making the association proud.
Mr. Okeke expressed strong displeasure of the Covid-19 global pandemic which affects the world. The sudden challenge reflects on now the society and our lives, carry on business, and interact-either at a social or professional level- reflects the reality that confronts the world that Covid-19 is real, while tasking members to adhere strictly of the protocols laid down.
For the issue of expansion of banking; he said there was serious need to expand to rural areas or remote areas, to enable the public to enhance saving habit, banks should not be only limited to open or established in urban areas.
While advising young bankers in the profession to update knowledge, write professional examinations, he further revealed that he started as a bank worker, now he is a chartered banker through rigorous writing of various examinations. He further noted that banking is a humble respectful profession.
For illegal deductions of money from customers by banks, Mr. Okeke disclosed that, customers should approach the management of banks for clarification. In summary, he stressed emphatically that bank has no right for illegal deduction, exception for specified reasons.
