By Peter Egwuatu

The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has commenced move to obtain from accreditation from the Ministry of Education for its professional Diploma in Securities and Investment. Vanguard gathered that the CIS has held discussion with the Federal Ministry of Education on the need to accredit the institute’s professional diploma in Securities and Investment and push for its acceptability for admission into higher institutions.

Also, it was gathered that the institute is seeking acceptance of both its professional diploma in Securities and Investment and full professional certificate as qualifications for employment in the Federal Civil Service. As a prelude to the accreditation, a meeting was held between the CIS and Ministry of Education. The meeting, the first in the series as gathered was very successful.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau expressed his willingness to ensure that his ministry supports the institute in its bid achieve the goals of accreditation.

Capital market operators have opined that accreditation of the professional Diploma in Securities and Investment for admission into higher institution and recognition of the certificate as well as full Professional Certificate for job in the public and private sector would encourage more youths to make a career in the financial market, boost morale of the beneficiaries and reinforce the need for competent manpower in the public and private sector.

It will be recalled that following its renewed membership drive, the institute introduced Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment to assist the numerous youths desirous of making a career in the financial market. The programme has potential to boost the financial inclusion programme of the Federal Government.

As part of recent enhancement of the Diploma in Securities and Investment, its examination has become computer- based while the examination is now done monthly as against twice annually.

It was gathered that the preliminary meeting with Shekarau was attended by the acting President of the institute, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe, the second Vice President, Mr. Dapo Adekoje, the Registrar and Chief Executive, Mr Adedeji Ajadi, Special Assistant to the Minister of Education, Mallam Nasiru Mohammed and two senior Abuja based stockbrokers, Mr Sehinde Adenagbe and Tom Laah