By Dipo Olowookere
In spite of the harsh economic terrain threatening jobs of many employees and hurting the projections of corporate organisations in Nigeria, Diamond Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to continuously safeguard the career growth of its workers.
Recently, two staff members who joined the bank over two decades ago as Executive Trainees were elevated to Executive Directors following regulatory approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This was alongside the Bank’s promotion of 950 members of its workforce.
Diamond Bank’s chief spokesperson, Ms Chioma Afe, said that the Bank places premium value on its workforce and is very passionate about the development of the career goals of staff members that are living the core values of the Bank, noting that job security and career development of staff members have continued to enable the bank deliver quality customer service and strengthen investor confidence in the business.
“Providing unequalled customer experience and delivering superior shareholder value is our core vision; however, meeting this mandate is difficult without the right staff.
“At Diamond, we believe that people are key to providing quality customer experience. That is why despite the hard economic conditions in the country, we are promoting our workers and placing much emphasis on career development of staff members,” she said.
According to the bank, Mrs Chizoma Okoli, Executive Director, Business Development and Mr Chiugo Ndubisi, Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer joined the Bank as Executive Trainees in 1992 and 1996 respectively; rose through the ranks to their current positions on the Board of the Bank.
Commenting on the appointment of Mrs Okoli and Mr Ndubisi to the Executive Management of the Bank, Ms Afe said, “These appointments further demonstrates our devotion to provide a viable platform for our staff to work and excel while grooming them to take on more challenges as they progress within the organisation. We are convinced that Mrs Okoli and Mr Ndubisi will play pivotal roles in the next phase of the Bank’s evolution especially at the Board level.
With these new appointments and promotions, the Bank has strengthened its workforce and fortified its management team, led by Mr Uzoma Dozie, to take on the challenges and opportunities in the business years ahead.
Mr Ndubisi graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Engineering from University of Nigeria, Nsukka and holds a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from the University of Lagos, Akoka.
He was previously the Divisional Head, Financial Management and formerly the Bank’s Financial Controller. He is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).
He has attended various international and local courses including the Advanced Management Program (AMP) of the Wharton Business School (University of Pennsylvania), Driving Strategic Impact Program of the Columbia Business School and the HSBC International Bankers’ course in London. He is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School (Pan-African University) Senior Management Program (SMP).
He has actively participated in many projects in the Bank including the various capital raising exercises, as well as the successful integration of the records of the former Lion Bank of Nigeria Plc, which earned the Bank the prestigious ThisDay award for the Best Bank on Mergers and Acquisitions category. He was also involved in the successful implementation of the new banking software (Flexcube) in year 2000, as well as the successful implementation of the new Flexcube version in 2007.
Mrs Okoli is one of the pioneer staff of the Bank and has worked in various roles across the business. She was previously the Head, Corporate Banking Directorate. Prior to this, she served in various capacities as Head, Institutional Banking; Head, Specialized Industries; Regional Manager, Apapa; Divisional Head, National Corporate (Lagos 1) and was the Group Head, Commercial Banking, Adeola Hopewell Group. She is also on the board of Diamond Bank UK and Diamond Pensions Funds Custodian (DPFC).
She is a 1989 Law Graduate from the University of Benin and was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1990.
She also has an MBA from the Warwick Business School, Coventry, UK. She has attended various courses in Nigeria and abroad, inclusive of the distinguished Advanced Management Program of the Wharton Executive Education, University of Pennsylvania. She is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School.
“Chizoma’s appointment as an Executive Director is particularly auspicious following our successful corporate restructuring exercise last year. Not only does this appointment demonstrate to our large number of female staff that they can aspire for the top at Diamond Bank; we are convinced that Chizoma’s wealth of experience working across diverse roles in the organisation over the last 25 years will be a vital asset at the Board level,” concludes the statement.
Diamond Bank Plc is one of Nigeria’s fastest growing retail banks, leveraging innovation and technology to enhance customer experiences and drive financial inclusion in what it terms Beyond Banking.
Since incorporation in December 1990, Diamond Bank has challenged the market environment by introducing new products, innovative technology and setting new benchmarks through international standards.
Today, Diamond Bank is best placed to respond to changing lifestyles and is leading the digital transformation in response to these societal shifts. Diamond Mobile app, for example, is Africa’s leading banking app and the first with the touch ID feature.
Aduragbemi Omiyale