Dipo Olowookere
A total of 31 financial journalists in Nigeria have been given scholarship by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) to undergo its Diploma Two Programme in Securities and Investment Market.
The gesture is part of the institute’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to upscale the skills of those who cover the capital market for professional reportage.
President of CIS, Mr Adedapo Adekoje, during the announcement recently, said the organisation was determined to invest in human capital for the overall development of the capital market in the area of information dissemination.
According to him, the programme would not only deepen the beneficiaries’ knowledge of the market, but pave way for them to aspire to become professional securities dealers.
He underscored the high propensity for market information by the stakeholders in the capital market ecosystem and the roles of financial journalists in the process, saying, “It is hardly contestable to say that investors, especially in Nigeria, form their opinion of the capital market from what they read in the mass media. In recent years, this has been further amplified by the social media.
“It is, therefore, critical that financial journalists are well-informed about the market such that they can give enlightened and balanced reporting. In recognition of the very important role of journalists in the securities and investment industry, the CIS council recently approved a scholarship scheme that will enable outstanding financial journalists undertake the CIS Diploma in Securities and Investment programme at no cost.”
Mr Adekoje disclosed that, “The scholarship will cover registration fees, examination enrolment fees and study materials. The CIS Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment will give them immense opportunities to understanding the capital market better and position them just one step away from becoming Chartered Stockbrokers.”
He encouraged the journalists to make the most of the rare opportunity and make it count in their professional journey.
The Institute’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Mr Adedeji Ajadi, explained that the scholarship had a life span of one year within which the beneficiaries would write examination twice.
Chairman of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Mrs Chinyere Nwokeoma, expressed gratitude to the Institute for granting scholarships to the journalists and advised her colleagues to take advantage of the gesture.
