NIGERIA – Polaris Bank, one of Nigeria’s universal commercial banks has appointed Mr. Innocent Ike as the Bank Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer effective September this year.
The Bank said that Mr. Ike’s appointment was approved by the bank’s board, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, and the bank’s shareholders.
The Bank through its secretary further revealed that Mr Innocent Ike will assume the role on acting capacity, succeeding Mr Tokunbo Abiru who will be proceeding to retirement.
Mr Tokunbo Abiru, will be proceeding on his retirement, having successfully completed his two terms of two years each, first as group managing director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc and managing director/CEO Polaris Bank Limited.
“It gives me great pleasure to say that with the support of the board, executive management and all of you, we have delivered on the mandate given to us by the Central Bank of Nigeria upon assumption of office in 2016,” Mr. Abiru said during a farewell meeting with the bank’s staff.
Abiru said that under his leadership the bank commenced an upgrade of the Bank’s IT infrastructure and digital platforms a move that enabled Polaris provide result customers improved service delivery.
He further noted that during his tenure, Polaris Bank introduced and committed resources to the Agency Banking model and by so doing contributed in no small measure to deepening financial inclusion for the unbanked and under-banked in Nigeria.
Polaris stated that the incoming acting managing director was until now the executive director, technology & services while also overseeing the South-South/South East directorate of the bank.
The bank said Mr. Ike has been a pivotal part of the bank since July 2016, and a major driver of the corporate transformation journey.
“This gives an assurance of continuity: a definite continuation of the strategic plans and initiatives that brought the bank the successes it has recorded till date,” it added.
Ike according to the Polaris Bank statement, has over three decades’ professional experience in the banking industry.
He is a graduate of accounting from the University of Lagos, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, a certified IFRS expert and an honorary senior member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
Mr. Ike holds an executive certificate in strategy & innovation from MIT Sloan School of Management; Boston and he is also a member of Institute of Directors.
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