The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has assured international participants attending the forthcoming World Conference of Bank Institutes (WCBI) scheduled for April 24 to April 28 in Lagos of their safety.

The President of CIBN, Prof. Segun Ajibola, gave the assurance in an interview with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.

Over 750 participants are expected at the conference with the theme “Re-thinking the Future of Banking and Finance and Life Long Learning.’’

Ajibola said the institute had received the assurance of the Lagos State Government to provide adequate security for local and international participants.

The CIBN president said the institute had engaged the services of over 100 security experts on sideline with security personnel that would be provided by the state government.

“Security starts from the time they leave the craft to their lodgements areas. We are assuring participants that there will not be any security incidence.

“Moreover, there has not been incidences of insecurity in Lagos State and we are using this medium to commend Gov. Akinwumi Ambode for providing safe environments to dwell.

“If you move around the state at nights, all the major roads and links have been lightened up, that is highly impressive.’’

On the conference theme, Ajibola said it was to think about where banks should be by 2020 and what should be happening in future as banking and finance are concerned.

“The WCBI will teach Nigeria what it should start doing to secure the future.

“This is the time for the presidency to get on roundtables to research the countries to invest in and the countries that would invest in Nigeria.

“Forty-nine facilitators are expected to speak at the conference, 25 are renowned international financial experts, while 24 would be from the country,’’ he said.

Ajibola said that the 4000 microfinance banks are expected to send participants, adding that huge resources had been deployed by the institute in the conference.

He urged the Federal Government to make good use of the conference to boost the economy and attract direct investments into the country.

“The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, is expected to be the distinguished guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the conference.

“Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode has also magnanimously adopted the conference as part of the state’s activities to celebrate the 50 years anniversary of the creation of Lagos.

“The speakers include Mr Collin Morrison, President European Banking and Financial Services Training, Mr Adedeji Bakas, Founder Trend office BAKAS and Mr Lee Arthur, Managing Director, New York Institute of Finance.

“Other are Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, the Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit  Insurance Organisation (NDIC), Mr Ari Levahi, the Executive Director, Moody’s Analytics, New York and Dr Sarah Alade, Deputy Governor,CBN Director of Economic Policy, among others,“ he said.

Some of the countries expected at the conference include U.S., Germany, Brazil, Italy, Kenya, Gambia, Togo, Mali, Kuwait, Ghana and South Africa.