Ms. Obi Ibekwe, the Executive Director, Resources, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has said that the bank will continue to support education and the development of critical manpower for the Nigerian economy.
She said this on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 during the inauguration of a Board of Trustees (BOT) for the UBA Professorial Chair of Finance at the University of Lagos. UBA recently resuscitated the endowment of the UBA Professorial Chair of Finance, first established 44 years ago, with the sum of N52.9 million.
The BOT which will oversee the administration of the endowment include; Professor Ben Oghojafor, Chairman, UNILAG Registrar, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye; Bursar, University of Lagos; Mr. Lateef Odekunle, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; Professor Rasheed Kola Ojikutu; and Head of Department of Finance; Professor Esther Adegbite.
Other members are Director of Office of Advancement, UNILAG, Mrs. Ibironke Salam, Executive Director, Resources, UBA, Ms. Obi Ibekwe, Chief of Staff to UBA GMD, Mr Ayo Adigun, MD UBA Foundation, Ms Ijeoma Aso and Divisional Head, Marketing and Corporate Relations , UBA, Mr. Charles Aigbe
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Ms. Ibekwe, in her remarks during the inauguration, said the resuscitation is borne out of the bank’s unwavering commitment of the educational sector. “We are very proud to be associated with this initiative that has contributed immensely to shaping the development of manpower for the financial industry” she said.
The UBA Executive Director also expressed hope that the endowment will continue to facilitate academic excellence in the university by providing the much needed funding for unhindered research, teaching and other education related activities.
Speaking shortly before inaugurating the Board, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahmon Bello expressed appreciation to the bank for resuscitating the Chair, despite the current economic situation in the country.
Professor Bello acknowledged the bank’s pioneering efforts in endowments at the university and assured that fund will be put to judicious use to the benefit of all stakeholders; the academia, UBA and the general polity. He charged the committee to immediately commence the process of appointing a new Chair of Finance; a position which was first occupied by the renowned Professor Green Nwankwo.
The endowment of the UBA Professorial Chair of Finance in 1972, served as the catalyst for the creation of the University’s Department of Finance in 1973, which had its first graduates in 1976.
