Ex-CBN Deputy Governor, Lemo Charges Wema Bank Employees To Sustain Employers-Employees Relations

Tunde Lemo

LAGOS - A former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Tunde Lemo has enjoined former and current employees of Wema Bank Plc to always grasp the value of keeping the bond between employer and employee relationship after the two have parted.

Lemo disclosed this at the weekend in Lagos at the Maiden edition of Wema Ex-Colleagues group's reunion.

Lemo, a former Wema Bank Managing Director between 2000 - 2003 noted that ex-employees are increasingly becoming a treasure trove of brand ambassadors, potential clients, future business, partners, and top-notch rehires, hence, the need for every former employee to stay in touch with their former company, network with fellow alumni, find new opportunities and to continue benefitting the rich legacy they have built.

He noted that the employer-driven alumni initiative will change the business environment where organizations are keen to maintain a relationship with anyone with who they have had a formal relationship.

Lemo however highlighted the benefits of alumni association to include: networking opportunities, Alumni events, Up-to-date information about organization, corporate diversity goals, discounts from businesses, career services, volunteer opportunities, giving back to current and future employees among others.

"Gone are the days where former employees were referred to in the past tense. An increasing number of Organizations are now grasping the value of keeping the bond between employer and employee strong long after the two have parted. 

"Ex-employees are increasingly becoming a treasure trove of brand ambassadors, potential clients, future business partners and top-notch rehires. Even after you move on in your careers, the time you spent together connects you all.  Alumni network provides you with opportunities to stay in touch with your former company, network with fellow alumni, find new opportunities and continue contributing to and benefitting from the rich legacy you helped build.

"Much like college and University administrators who enthusiastically welcome former students back to their campus community, HR leaders and managers are reaching out to individuals who left their jobs for any number of reasons.

"The employer-driven alumni initiative is still novel in Nigeria and only very few companies (mostly foreign companies) are actively doing it."

The KPMG Nigeria Alumni President, therefore, enjoined the Wema Bank Ex-Colleagues Alumni Association to ensure the association achieves its objectives, members of the group must maintain the principle of equality, decorum, political neutrality, religious neutrality, moral ethics, and others.

In his opening remark, the Managing Director, Wema Bank Plc, Mr. Ademola Adebise noted that the Wema Bank Network Alumni would create opportunities for support to members even after leaving the bank.

Adebise noted that a strong network can open doors to several opportunities for personal, social, and even financial well-being. 

"It is my strong belief that our relationships do not have to end after we move on to the next phase of life. There are so many mutually beneficial opportunities that can still be tapped into if we have a structure that allows us to continue to maintain our community. 

"It is on that note that the organisers have set up this Wema Alumni Network. This platform will create room for us to continue to support each other and the bank, even after leaving the bank.

How can this platform benefit you? As distinguished professionals yourselves, I need not go through a lecture on the power of networking. 

"A strong network can open doors to several opportunities for personal, social, and even financial well-being. Most importantly, there is a sense of shared purpose that comes from being a part of an active, vibrant community. And what better network or community than one that you have helped in a very meaningful way to build over so many years?

"How will this benefit the bank? It means that the current and future leadership of the bank will have unfettered access to a treasure trove of wisdom and insights that can continue to help propel the great brand forward in a way that will make us all proud to be continually associated with it. Also, you can serve as brand advocates and champions in the marketplace where though you have left the service of the bank, you continue to remain relevant and add value."