CECILA IBRU
CECILA IBRU: CORPORATE AMAZON
Cecila Ibru, managing director and chief executive officer, Oceanic International Bank Limited, has employed her rich skill to attain the rare feat of being amongst the few women calling the shots at the helm of affairs in financial institutions in the country.
Oceanic Bank, established in the 1990s, has continued to grow in Nigeria financial market; from strength to strength in the face of all odds. And Ibru has played a critical role in nurturing and sustaining the bank to the enviable status it occupies amongst its competitors today.
The bank recently formally marked the official relocation of its headquarters from Victoria Island, Lagos, to Abuja making it the first bank, commercial or merchant, to make such a strategic move. She says "relocating our headquarters to Abuja is a business decision, not a political one since the seat of the federal government has effectively moved, with all its ministries and major parastatals." She defends decision by arguing that for every bank, government is the biggest customer. "And since we deal with them frequently, we had to move close to them," she insists.
Government showed the confidence it reposes on the bank by its high-powered representation at the re-location ceremony . The bank will also cater to the needs of government contractors, civil servants, businessmen, traders and others operating in Abuja.
Right from inception, the promoters of Oceanic Bank set for themselves the objective of being "A distinctly focused commercial bank that would redefine the standards in operational delivery and customer services and offer creative solutions to customer needs."
Over the years, the bank has delivered on this promise. It has an efficient customer relations service that is primed at clearly understanding customers' business plan in order that "a comprehensive and practical financing and relationship package is then developed based on our joint understanding of the company's or individuals requirements. This way you can't go wrong because every thing you do is geared towards ensuring ultimate customer satisfaction."
Oceanic Bank continues to offer the full range of commercial banking services characterised by a commitment to professionalism, integrity and excellence in the conduct of its business. As an active player in promoting trade, finance and international money market, the bank takes advantage of its special relations with Citibank of New York and the American Express Bank to offer prompt and efficient services in all aspects of international business including financial advisory services, letters of credit management and foreign exchange loans provision.
Ibru is excited at the prospect of government divesting Central Bank of its commercial banking functions which means more funds available for competing banks. "Oceanic bank is ready for the 21st century." Ibru states confidently. The bank has ten branches in the commercial cities of the country and the bank has already meet the new share capital of N500 million and has a assets of N4.6 billion.
Ibru, who recently turned 52, is geared to pushing the bank to new frontiers by continuously providing clients new products and services to meet their needs. Ibru cut her management teeth in the Ibru organisation where she worked for 28 years rising to the position of managing director in 1989. She joined Oceanic Bank as general manager administration in November 1993, made acting CEO in January 1997 and substantive CEO a year later.
Newswatch June 29, 1998
" Newswatch 1998