VC ABUAD’s Speech at Inauguration of APBE

TEXT OF SPEECH PRESENTED BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR, AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY (ABUAD), ADO EKITI, PROFESSOR MICHAEL AJISAFE ON THE INAUGURATION OF ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BANKERS IN EDUCATION (APBE) AND THE 1^ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE 23^RD OF NOVEMBER, 2017 AT ALFA BELGORE HALL, ABUAD, ADO – EKITI.

The President, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Prof SegunAjibola and his entourage, Banking Scholars, Practitioner Regulators and Policy Makers in Tertiary and Financial Institutions, Members of Professional Bodies relating to Banking and Finance, Lecturers in Banking, Staff and Students of Tertiary Institutions, Gentlemen of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Our Institution, AfeBabalola University is highly elated to host the 1^st International Annual Conference of a noble body; Association of Professional Bankers in Education (APBE). The important position of banks in the economy is well known in academic circles. Banks are the intermediary between the deficit and surplus unit of a nation. In performing this intermediary role, banks ensure the flow of funds to productive areas of the economy. That vital role enhances economic growth and development.

To enable an efficient performance of the Intermediary role, bank workers should be well informed in the rudiments of the banking system. The Professional Bankers in Education should shoulder the duty to educate and guide up-coming bankers to imbibe the knowledge of Banking and Finance. They are also expected to play vital roles in a continual reforming of international banking practices that would meet national and international demands.

Today’s deliberation should look into many areas of banking educational practice that need attention to ameliorate difficulties and solve both financial and other economic problems.

Two examples of critical challenges in banking education will suffice: enrolment of students into diploma and degree programmes in higher Institutions has been dwindling. This would have adverse effect on manpower needed for the banking industry. Also many bank workers are on casual appointments which would affect their morale and commitment to banking. There is no doubt that your Association would look into these challenges with a view to strategically position banks and other financial institutions to mitigate the two areas of imperfection in the management of the financial system.

At AfeBabalola University, your profession is well represented. We offer courses in banking and finance at undergraduate and post graduate levels. Our staff lineup includes four fellows and three already qualified Associates among our Master Degree’s Students who are all full fledge members of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Indeed, the most senior of our member of staff is a Professor of Banking and finance.

It is worthy of note that your Institute and the Association of Professional Bankers in Education recognize and appreciate the overwhelming position of AfeBabalola University as a role model in Educational development and centre of Excellence in University education. The credit for all these qualities goes to our indefatigable Founder and Chancellor Emeritus – Aare AfeBabalola

Erudite bankers and scholars, you are welcome to this conference. On behalf of the founder, Aare AfeBabalola, his amiable wife and the entire ABUAD community, I wish you happy and fruitful deliberations.

I hereby declare this Association appropriately inaugurated and the First Annual conference opened.

Thank you.

Professor Michael Ajisafe

Vice Chancellor

ABUAD