The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bankers

  • Fun time for bankers

    IT was an evening of style, humour, unwinding, mingling and entertainment at Mimshach Centre, Lagos as Pearls Entertainment Limited presented a show tagged: Bankers Do Laugh.

    Pearls Entertainment Limited, an organisation poised with the aim of entertaining through different mediums, one of which is creating comic relief for the banking sector, had bankers family and friends grace the occasion.

    The event which was held on Workers’ Day featured music, comedy and a hilarious stage play titled Yoruba Romance which thrilled the crowd with severe laughter.

    Speaking to The Nation reporter, Uduak Akrah Egom, actress and CEO of Pearl Entertainment, said the event was specially organised for bankers, to enable them slacken off and enjoy tremendous relief.

    She added that “The idea behind it is that we want bankers to loosen up a bit, because there is no package out there designed for them, and they are always very busy. I thought we could do something for bankers to enable them come out of their shell, get them to laugh, relax, wine and dine.

    “Relaxation helps individuals, including bankers, to be skilled. There’s something about relaxation, when you relax it helps you to be more productive. So if we get them to relax, we can expect more from them.”

    Being the first of its kind, she decided to start the show with a comedy stage play, Yoruba Romance, as the main order of event. She hopes to spread across to other professions.

    Though there were few celebrities in attendance, Uduak said she used this medium to encourage upcoming artistes to showcase their talents. “I didn’t bring in major acts; I discovered that there are young talents out there that have not been given an opportunity, so I brought them in to showcase their talents.”

    The actress who holds a degree in Theatre Arts said she started from the stage, adding that from the stage more knowledge is acquired. She also disclosed that children won’t be left out because at the end of May something of such will be introduced to mark Children’s Day.

    Popular comedian and on-air-personality, Yaw, also buttressed the point that bankers need to come out and have fun.

    “Stage is not financially rewarding unlike the television, but once you do the stage you have this fulfillment as an actor and then you deliver your punch lines and the crowd is laughing and you’re happy they are laughing. But for me it’s still the stage,” said Yaw.

    Cast of the stage play Yoruba Romance were Kris Ubani Roberts, Omololu Sodia and Uduak Akrah Egom.

  • Union of bankers

    Mandela Abolaji Oniemola met former Miss Folasade Olayinka Makanju at Diamond Bank headquarters in Lagos during an in-house training five years ago.

    Folasade’s charisma and maturity were all Mandela needed to single her out for friendship among participants at the training.

    After four years of friendship, Mandela proposed to Folasade about a year ago.

    Last Saturday, the lovebirds consumated their marriage at the Surulere Baptist Church, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

    They were joined by family members, colleagues and well-wishers.

    Many of the guests shone in torquoise and royal blue lace. Some elderly men were in white Agbada.

    Mandela looked cute in a white shirt, blue bow tie, black suit and pair of shoes.

    His bride, Folasade appeared stunning in a white flowing wedding gown, white necklace, ear rings and wrist watch.

    The solemnisation was conducted by Reverend Michael Afolabi. Other officiating ministers assisted him to coordinate the programme.

    With the processional hymn To God be the Glory, the bride joined her husband and others waiting for the ceremony to start.

    After taking their seats, hymns of praise followed.

    Members of the church choir lifted the hall with gospel songs.

    After pledging to take each other as husband and wife, the officiating minister joined them together.

    Pastor Afolabi urged them to uphold the marital vows.

    Mutual love and understanding, he said, are hallmarks of a successful home.

    The church service also featured signing of the marriage register, thanksgiving, presentation of certificate and recessional hymn.

    There was a photograph session with the couple outside the church before the wedding train moved to Eagle Club, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere for the reception.

    There, the couple took time for guests to settle down to arrange another photograph session with the groom’s men and bride’s maids.

    Son of Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, the Miliki crooner, Tolu was on the band stand.

    He and his Miliki Extra band thrilled the gathering.

    Also, Abiola Atanda popularly known as Madam Kofo, who anchored the reception was at her best.

    The couple were led into the hall by the bridal train and some guests.

    As they danced into the hall, many stretched their necks. Others stood to watch them.

    Mrs Funmilola Coker delivered the opening prayer before chairman on the occasion, Prof Adebayo Williams, a renowned essayist, took over.

    Prof Williams, who shelved his programme in far away Florida, United States on that day to attend the ceremony, described it as “great.”

    According to him, such event can only be organised by great people.

    He congratulated the parents of the couple.

    Prof Williams had a few words of commendation for the musician who he noted is taking after his legendary father.

    He wished the couple success in their marital journey.

    Prof Williams supervised the cutting of the cake.

    The Chief bride’s maid, Oluwatosin John picked the bouquet thrown by the bride. She was congratulated by her fiancée, Olayiwola Akerele.

    Folasade’s brother, Tunde Makanju gave the vote of thanks before the couple took to the dance floor.

    They were joined by family members and guests who sprayed them with new naira notes.

    Mandela thanked the guests for making the day special.

    He described Folasade as a straight forward person, honest and a good planner with a strong will to achieve whatever she sets out for.

    “I do not think I can find any other woman; she is made to complement my weak parts and very natural,” he said.

    “This atmosphere is great; I am overwhelmed,” said the bride.

    Folasade said: “He is an awesome person; I could not wait for this day. When God says somebody is the person, it cannot be changed. He is a gentleman, God-fearing and hardworking.”

    The bride’s father, Mr Oluwatoyin Makanju urged them to live as one and always love each other.

    The groom’s mother, Mrs Oniemola prayed for the couple to live and see their children getting married.

     

  • ‘Bankers need BASEL 111’

    The immediate past Chairman, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Lagos Chapter, Mr Bayo Olugbemi, has said banks need to become BASEL 11 and 111 compliant to foster growth.

    Speaking in a recent stakeholders’meeting in Lagos on the backdrop of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)‘s decision to make banks BASEL 11 and 111 compliant next year, Olugbemi said development would engender confidence in the industry.

    He said the state chapter had last February, organised a conference in United Arab Emirates to improve the skills of bankers in risk management. He said risk management is crucial to the growth of the industry, adding that efforts must not be spared in making bankers get the required knowledge on the issue.

    He advised bankers to make knowledge acquisition their priority, adding that they do not need to be complacent in issues relating to banking practice. He said courses are organised locally and abroad on banking and allied matters, advising bankers to make use of those opportunities.

    Olugbemi said past and successive leadership of the chapter has not relented in promoting professional practice. This, he said, is evident in the various programmes lined up to train bankers in the country.

     

  • EFCC re-arraigns bankers, others for alleged N.855m fraud

    EFCC re-arraigns bankers, others for alleged N.855m fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned three officials of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank Plc) and five foreigners at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja for conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

    Those charged before Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja are an Indian, Ashrok Isran, his company, Nulec Industries Ltd and three officials of the bank – Anayo Nwosu, Olajide Oshodi, Sunny Obazee.

    The defendants were last year arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

    The re-arraignment of the defendants was informed by the elevation of Justice Abiru, to the Court of Appeal

    But in the new charge, they are facing an amended 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

    They were alleged to have defrauded Sir Daniel Chukwudozie of Dozzy Oil of N855,000,000.

    All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge offence.

    Justice Akinlade ordered that the defendants should continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted them by Justice Abiru.

    Also at yesterday’s proceedings, Justice Akinlade granted leave to the Indian defendant, Isran, to travel to Geneva, Switzerland for medical check-up.

    Isran’s counsel, Mr. Uche Offorma (SAN) had informed the court that his client had consulted two medical experts who suggested that he travel to Geneva for medication.

    Counsel to EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs told the court that he would not oppose the application but urged the court to be careful in granting the application.

    Offorma, however, allayed the fear of the court and that of the EFCC that the defendant being a foreigner and the principal suspect may abscond and never come back to face his trial.

    The judge in her ruling granted the application and ordered the court Registrar to release Isran’s travelling documents to enable him go for treatment.

    The matter has been adjourned till May 28.

     

  • Bankers blame fraud on non-professionals

    Bankers have identified the factor responsible for fraud in their industry.

    According to them, fraud persists because of non-professionals accupying sensitive positions.

    A member of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Deji Olanrewaju, said the dearth of professionals “is a major factor for lapses in the sector.”

    He said: “It is instructive to note that when we are talking about professional bankers, we are not many in this country. No fewer than 4,500 are professionally qualified as core bankers in this country. So, if you are talking about professionalism in the banking industry, which has been our focal point. These problems arose as a result of people who are not professionals occupying sensitive positions.

    He added: “There are certain key areas that should not be handled by non-professionals. But unfortunately, over the years, just miniatures of people that have been working in the banking industry are professionals. That is why we are making concerted efforts now to make sure that our rules are amended so that unless you are a chartered member of this institute, you cannot even work in a bank.”

    Olarenwaju said due to lack of professionals, some workers are unknowingly creating rooms for fraud. This, he said, is evident by the ways and manners they gather information on transactions conducted in their branches.

    Immediate past Chairman CIBN, Lagos Chapter, Mr Bayo Olugbemi said when sensitive positions such as audit and risk management are occupied by unqualified personal, the tendency to commit fraud is high.

    Olugbemi said risk management is crucial to the growth of the industry, stressing that there is a mismatch of activities when half baked personnel are employed.

    He said the highest number of fraudlent practices in the industry are attributed to poor workforce, advising the banks to employ only competent hands to foster growth.