By Daniel Olushola Michael 



By Abayomi Elias


In keeping the record straight, the Press Society Association of Nigeria in its wisdom as delved into the affairs of Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks ACAMB to research and highlight the reason behind the emergence of Rasheed Bolarinwa as the association President for the second term. 



ACAMB which was established at a time banks had not so good image resulting from frequent failures, poor lending to the real sector and the much-talked about round-tripping in the foreign exchange market. 



When ACAMB began operation, less than a quarter of the banks had corporate affairs departments. Even then, apart from the four big banks, reports have it that most were one-man or one-woman departments, suggesting that bank CEOs at the time did not reckon with Public Relations. 

 


ACAMB has now attained the age of maturity with over 300 registered members since inception since 1996. The first President of ACAMB was Dango who served from 1996 – 1998. 


Rasheed Bolarinwa, head, corporate communications, Polaris bank, has been elected President of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB).This was announced on Wednesday sometimes on January 2024 after an election in Lagos.


Prior to the election, Bolarinwa was secretary-general of the association for two terms.



Bolarinwa Rasheed anchored his agenda on the theme: 'PEAL". (Partnership & Platform, Engagement, Advocacy and Learning & Value addition).



After his swearing in, Bolarinwa said the new leadership will work assiduously to deliver an ACAMB that encourages and ensures every marketing communication staff in banks aspires and attains the highest level of professional recognition and fulfilment on the job while at the same time being assured of a sustainable livelihood long after exiting the industry. "We have no time to waste. Work commences immediately.” Bolarinwa asserted


Other elected executives include Oze Kalu, 1st vice-president (FirstBank); Lola Egboh, 2nd vice-president (First City Monumental Bank, FCMB); Sipe Babajide, secretary-general (EcoBank); Omide Odekina, assistant general-secretary (United Bank for Africa, UBA); Patrick Osilaja, financial secretary (Fidelity Bank); Funmilayo Falola, treasurer (Wema Bank); Abdul Imoyo, publicity secretary (Access Bank); Utulu Ozena, social secretary (Heritage Bank).


Some of his strides in capacity as ACAMB President include;


ACAMB advocacy visit to CIBN charting the discussions to bridging the perception and reputation management gap in the nation’s banking sector.


1st National Stakeholders  Conference on Synergy between the Nigeria Banking Industry  and the organized private sector


Second National Stakeholders Meeting Themed “Marketing Financial Services in Dynamic Times”, the ACAMB stakeholders’ conference spotlight the evolving role of marketing communications in Nigeria’s burgeoning financial services industry.