Notwithstanding the challenges facing the financial sector, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has charged the members of its governing council committees to continue to innovate and remain relevant due to significant transformations and uncertainties in the industry. President and Chairman of Council, CIBN, Ken Opara, said recently, during the Institute's inauguration of its governing council committees.

He said the committee members with the likes of former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro; Chairman of Thisday Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena and immediate past president of CIBN, Bayo Olugbemi, among other eminent personalities, are made up of members and non-members, who have the pedigree to continually contribute to the Institute, banking industry and the economy at large.

The CIBN boss, who named the 21 governing council committees, currently made up of three statutory committees, 14 standing committees and four ad-hoc committees, said the development of their action plans and targets must be in line with the strategic focus of the Institute. According to him, the committees must work and look into the vision of banking services without banks in the 21st Century.

Noting that the CIBN prides itself in the area of ethics and professionalism, Opara said that the inauguration was necessary for the growth and development of the Institute. "As we constitute these committees, we believe they will bring ideas that will take the board and Institute to the next level. They comprise people with a proven record, and we encourage them to think broadly and outside the box.

"As you deliberate and begin to review the agenda, there might be the need for some changes. However, the changes would be soothing as all is to make the Institute a better place," he said.

While wishing them a successful tenure, he commended the Banks' Chief Executive Officers on their added offerings and value to the Institute.

In his remark, Pedro, who spoke on behalf of the newly inaugurated board committee members, pledged to do their best toward the Institute's growth.