Out-going DG, WAIFEM, Prof. Akpan Ekpo

By: Theresa Igata

The immediate past Director General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, WAIFEM, Prof. Akpan Ekpo has noted that quality education is the fastest way to rid the country of poverty.

Ekpo who was speaking at the end of year and farewell party organised by the institute in his honour, also attributed the moral decadence in the society to the lack of quality and proper education.

According to him, “corruption has become endemic and the youths endangered species because of the kind of education we have today”.

He urged government to be coordinated to make the country better, create opportunities for everyone to succeed and also find a lasting solution to the nation’s problems.

Ekpo however appealed to all donors of the institute to continue to support the institute to deliver world class training and education.

On his part, the incoming Director General, Baba Musa, lauded Ekpo for his exceptional leadership qualities, referring to him as, “a very good boss whose tenure is about to end”.

Musa said the ceremony was organised as a symbolic recognition, respect and appreciation for all the valuable skills, knowledge and positive values Ekpo had instilled in the staff and for all his efforts in the last 9 years.

“You will be remembered for the great things you have done, not only for WAIFEM and her staff but for all member countries. His leadership made working in the office easy and enjoyable. He is a great inspiration for everyone to emulate at the workplace,” Musa added.

Musa promised to put into practice the great values that Ekpo together with past Directors General of the institute and Directors of the CBN have instilled in him.

Mr. Baba Yusuf Musa, before his election as Director General of the Institute was Director, Debt Management Department, WAIFEM, the post he held since January 2006.

He has over 12 years of capacity building experience in debt management and 19 years experience in macroeconomic management. He was seconded to WAIFEM from the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1997.

He was in the Research Department, and later International Economic Relations of the Central Bank of Nigeria 1990 -1997, a research officer at the National Directorate of Employment 1988 –1990, Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Plateau State, Nigeria 1987–1988.

He will assume the position as Director General WAIFEM in January 2019.

High point  of the ceremony was a book presentation to Ekpo on his contributions and works in the institute.The event had in attendance, past Directors General of the institute, Deputy Governors of the CBN, DG West Africa Monetary Institute, WAMI and Bank Executives.