By NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Mr Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has commended Dr Umar Useni on his appointment as the Secretary-General of the Arbitration Centre of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).
Cardoso gave the commendation at a dinner reception organised to celebrate Useni on Saturday in Abuja.
The event was organised by one of Useni’s Mentees, Rahmah Aderinoye, the CEO of Rashak Farms and Agro Allied Limited.
According to the apex bank chief, the journey of the introduction of Islamic Banking was started by the CBN.
“The journey was led by a then part time pastor, but today, a full time pastor. So, it was not an idea to islamise Nigeria or islamise financing in Nigeria.
“This journey saw one of your own poring through documents that started the relationship with one institution that Dr Umar Useni headed at the OIC.
“He has represented Nigeria very well. The love for country is always in his heart. Useni is a humble guy, but will always like to take the bull by the horn.
“Useni has done well, and the journey of Islamic Banking has produced many banks which has reached out to everybody who is into business in Nigeria.
“We are proud of Jaiz Bank, TajBank and recently, Alternate Bank in the country; and I believe that so many others will come. We are also happy to drive on roads finance by Sukuk,” Cardoso stressed.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cardoso was represented at the event by the CBN:s Director of Legal Services, Mr Kofo Salam-Alada.
Meanwhile, the Keynote Speaker, Dr Ibraheem Dooba said great men in history have knowledge, either in science and religion which they shared; and today they have followers due to the knowledge they shared.
According to him, to attain greatness, one has to be ‘the only’ and have monopoly’, be super knowledgeable, generalist, obsessed and credible.
“Dr Useni possess all these qualities and that was what made other experts in the world to recognize him for this appointment”.
Useni in his address appreciated his parents, friends, media and those that came to celebrate him on his appointment, adding that he does not care about accolades.
“Rather I prefer us to be focus on the job and bull duzz my way in doing the right thing and impact positively in the lives of others.
“We are living in a world were we are all interconnected. Let’s ensure that we make positive impact on anybody that comes our way. Touch the person positively without expecting appreciation.
“The focus of OIC Arbitration Centre basically is for investment, financing and commercial disputes resolution.
“So, in all the bilateral treaties Nigeria is entering into with other countries, we are going to ensure that there is a clause for dispute settlements.
“The OIC has 57 member countries globally, the largest body after the UN; and this body has a lot of trade among member countries”, Useni said.
He further explained that Nigeria could utilize the platform to give confidence to foreign investors who would want to invest in the country.
“If the investors realised that there is a mechanism for amicable resolution of dispute via the OIC platform, they would have the peace of mind to come and invest in the country”.
NAN reports that Auchi Development Foundation and other organisations presentated gifts and award to Useni.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA