ACAMB Begins 30th‑Anniversary Celebration with Tree‑Planting Event

The Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks, ACAMB, began its 30th‑anniversary celebrations on 11 June with a tree‑planting event on Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Spokesperson Abiodun Coker said the activity was part of the association’s effort to promote environmental sustainability while marking three decades of advancing corporate communications and marketing excellence in Nigeria’s banking sector.

The well‑attended exercise was led by ACAMB President Jide Sipe and the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Akin Morakinyo. They were joined by Vice President 1 Chinwe Bode Akinwande, Vice President 2 Morolake Onifade, executive committee members, both past and present, and heads of marketing, corporate communications and other departments from banks. Despite heavy rain, participants planted trees, demonstrating their commitment and setting the tone for the milestone celebration.

Each tree planted was named after a participating bank.

President Sipe welcomed members and dignitaries, reaffirming ACAMB’s commitment to the reputation and growth of the banking industry.

“Thirty years ago, a handful of professionals chose to put the reputation of the banking industry above rivalry. We are standing today on the foundation they laid, and every tree we plant here is a promise to keep building and, most importantly, deepen credibility by proactively addressing issues which directly improve our collective brand image and customer loyalty,” he said.

He added, “What ACAMB is doing also coincides with our 30th anniversary celebration. One of the best ways to celebrate this milestone is to contribute to the environment by planting trees that will, in the long run, be environmentally and economically impactful to society at large. We are planting trees in honour of banks in the country, and each of the trees will be named after them.”

Outlining the anniversary programme, Sipe announced a series of activities running through September 2026, including a Golf and Networking Experience on 27 June 2026 at Ikoyi Club, Lagos, with the celebration culminating in a grand Gala Night on 30 September 2026.

“We are marking three decades the way they should be marked, with substance and with joy,” he said.

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CIBN, Akin Morakinyo, HCIB, unveiled ACAMB’s 30th‑anniversary logo and praised the association for its longstanding collaboration with the Institute.

“This anniversary is dedicated to the glory of God and the service of humanity,” he said. “I charge every member to hold firmly to professionalism and ethics in the discharge of their duties.”

Founding member Dr Nkechi Ali Balogun reflected on ACAMB’s origins. The association was established in 1996 by representatives of five institutions: IBWA (later Afribank), Union Bank, NEXIM Bank, First Bank, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“The late Mr Dangogo of the CBN gathered us at Kuramo Lodge with a simple idea: that banks could compete and still respect one another,” she said.

Board of Trustees member Ogie Eboigbe traced the formation to concerns that banks were de‑marketing each other. “Banks were winning customers by tearing down their rivals, and it was hurting public confidence in all of us,” he explained.

The tree‑planting exercise reflects ACAMB’s commitment to environmental sustainability and stands as a fitting symbol of the association’s growth and impact over the past three decades.

President, Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB), Jide Sipe; Representative of Wema Bank, Precious Akpan; Vice President 2, Morolake Onifade; Representative of Alpha Morgan, Tolu Onipede; and General Secretary, ACAMB, Olugbenga Owotoomo during a tree planting initiative put together to flag off the 30th anniversary celebration of ACAMB, held at Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.