Bankers urged to focus on capacity development
Banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria have been advised to pay greater attention to capacity development in their organisations. This call was made by the Director, Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics at the Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Franca Ovadje, at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Lagos Branch 2014 ‘Bankers’ Nite’ held in Lagos at the weekend. She also warned bankers against staying later than the stipulated closing hours at work. Speaking at the event tagged: “Human Capital: Value Creation and Capacity Building for Financial Service Sector in a Frontier Economy,” Ovadje pointed out that talented individuals are more productive, more innovative, serve clients better and have potential to lead the organisation in the future. She noted that if an organisation is able to find talent, develop and retain them, it will outdo its competitors in the market place in the long run. “An individual with a solid track record of consistent performance, who has potential to lead the organisation in the future, hungry to learn and passionate about the company is a talent,” she stated.
Speaking further, Ovadje pointed out some inhibitors of productivity to include line managers’ mindset, culture (lack of openness), work-life balance and restlessness. In her words, the only reason bankers stay later than the normal working hours in their offices is either because they are running away from their homes or that something is wrong. “Sometimes, you see bankers still in office in the late hours of the day. They will tell you they are working. What will a banker be doing in office from 8am to 11pm? This way, you will not be innovative and creative enough,” she added. Continuing, Ovadje also advised bankers to avoid cultural interference, saying it does not add value to their work. According to her, bankers are paid to work between 8am and 5pm during the week. “When a banker spends two hours
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