Enugu Bankers’ Committee Rewards Three For Outstanding Performance

The Enugu Bankers’
Committee has given three awards for outstanding performance by banks and bankers in the area for 2013.
Reports say that the awards were presented at the weekend at a well-attended dinner and awards ceremony.
The Banker of the Year award was won by Mr Charles Anyaokie of Unity Bank Plc., while Zenith Bank Plc., won the Most Efficient Cash Handling and Processing Award.
Similarly, Union Bank Plc., won the award for Effective Participation in Development Financing.
The Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Enugu, Mr Patrick Okonkwor, said it would soon embark on the sensitisation of the citizenry in respect of the cashless policy which would be extended to the state from July 1.
He regretted that the ceremony could not hold in 2013 because of exigencies of the time.
In a lecture on the bank’s cashless policy, the Cashless Champion of the CBN, Enugu branch, Mr Franklin Umeh, described cash as an integral element that fuelled many vices in Nigeria.
Umeh listed some of the consequences of huge cash transactions as inefficient treasury management, corruption, kidnapping, armed robbery, election rigging and revenue leakages, among others.
He acknowledged that in spite of its numerous benefits, the cashless policy also came with its challenges.
Umeh identified some of the challenges to include lack of confidence, low level of internet penetration, lack of regulatory framework for e-payments, inadequate banking system and high rate of illiteracy.
He, however, said that the cashless policy remained an innovative platform of doing business the other way with reduced risk, but with an enhanced comfort.
Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State was represented on the occasion by the Commissioner for Local Governments, Mr Okey Anih.