Banks Compliance Officers Sensitise Students on Accountability

Funmi Ogundare

The Association of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (ACCOBIN) recently held a career talk for secondary school students across the country to sensitise them on the role compliance plays in the society and ensure that organisations are accountable and transparent. Speaking during the programme at King’s College, Lagos, the Chairman of the association and Chief Compliance Officer of StanbicIBTC, Mr. Rotimi Adojutelegan, said the career talk was part of the association’s 10th anniversary which began with a walk, adding that it decided to go round schools so that students can understand the importance of compliance in the society and the benefit of being a compliance officer and the role they play. “We are doing it in schools across the federation. The way it is structured is that we have compliance officers everywhere we have our branches. The whole idea is to sensitise the younger children as to what compliance is all about and the role it plays in the society. It is about following rules and laid down regulations and ensuring that the organisation does the right things.” For organisations, he said they have to be compliance to avoid financial loss and going to jail, adding that government is also focusing on same to maintain their integrity. “Every day you are faced with a choice to be compliant and you are thinking of a sustainable future for yourself. Compliance is important in the society as you have to promote market discipline, rule of law, as well as culture of transparency.” In charting a career path for the students on compliance, he stressed the need for them to have integrity and be honest, apart from a university degree. “You must aim for professionalism, be knowledgeable and solve problems for people. You must also be able to network, manage stress and meet deadlines.” He advised them to be focused, diligent and understand that education is key in whatever they want to do, regardless of any discipline. “It is the foundation and they must also make sure that they pay attention to their studies and be focused, once you do that the sky will be your starting point.” Speaking with journalists, Adojutelegan said his association achieved its aim, adding, “from the questions they asked, it shows that they understood what we were saying and from the interest that they showed it is a testament to the fact that it had its impact. I am hoping that this same result will be achieved in every other place where our members had career talk with the students.” The Chairman, Planning Committee, Mr. Franklin Bennie said from the interactive session his association had with the students, they would be able