As part of its corporate social investment campaign for 2016, management and staff of Stanbic IBTC, a member of Standard Bank Group, devoted a day to mentor students of Lagos Progressive Schools, Surulere, on career choices and leadership. The mentorship class provided an opportunity for the students to have a one-on-one interaction with the staff members in a lively and stimulating class session.
The classroom sessions examined five steps to helping a child develop leadership skills. The classes were practical and engaging to gain and retain the students’ attention as well as ensure their full participation. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, head, Marketing and Communications, Stanbic IBTC, who led the staff to the school, said the bank’s staff volunteerism CSI activities are meant to create shared value with communities where Stanbic IBTC operates. She said the mentorship initiative was in recognition of the need to instil the right values and skills in school children as leaders oftomorrow, during their formative years.
“As leaders in our various spheres of operation within the Stanbic IBTC family, we understand that leadership qualities are best imbibed and nurtured early. As our future leaders, we know it is essential that these children understand these qualities early enough and start to make them a part of their everyday lives,” Olumide-Ojo said, adding, “Our desire is to equip them with these skills that will help them aspire for greatness and make smarter career choices.”
Some of the leadership lessons taught included the ability to be focused, the power of positive attitude and discipline, problem solving skills, resilience, ability to overcome challenges and the need to constantly strive for improvement. Ex-Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo’s experience, who went through corrective heart surgery and still came back to become the best in Africa, was one of many notable icons used to illustrate the need for determination and resilience. The staff members also used some of their personal experiences to drive home the point, while books designed to help improve the reading culture and skills among the students were also formally donated to the libraries of both the junior and senior arms of the school by the organisation.
According to Olumide-Ojo, “At Stanbic IBTC, we have an unwavering commitment to our CSI delivered through three key pillars, namely, health, education and economic empowerment. This, we will continue to leverage, particularly education, to ensure a better future for our children and the society. The knowledge that we have impacted in the students today will certainly give them the edge in their learning.”
Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC is a full service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars – Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management. Stanbic IBTC belongs to the Standard Bank Group, the largest African financial institution by assets and market capitalisation. It is rooted in Africa with strategic representation in 20 countries on the African continent. Standard Bank has been in operation for 153 years and is focused on building first-class, on-the-ground financial services institutions in chosen countries in Africa; and connecting selected emerging markets to Africa, by applying sector expertise, particularly in natural resources, power and infrastructure.
