Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin and two other staff members of Rokel Commercial Bank have received top honours at the second West African Bankers Awards Night, organised by the West African Bankers Association (WABA), in recognition of their leadership, professional excellence and contributions to the banking sector.
The regional awards ceremony brought together banking professionals and industry leaders to celebrate outstanding achievements and recognise individuals making significant contributions to financial development across West Africa.
Held under the theme, “Empowering Women in Banking for Inclusive and Sustainable Finance in West Africa,” the event also highlighted the importance of gender inclusion, leadership and sustainable financial practices in strengthening the region’s banking industry.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Banking for West Africa 2025 to Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin, in recognition of his distinguished career, leadership and contributions to the growth and development of the banking sector.
The award acknowledges Dr. Gilpin’s professional achievements, his commitment to advancing financial services and his role in promoting excellence within the banking industry.
His recognition represents another significant achievement for Rokel Commercial Bank, placing the institution in the regional spotlight for the contributions of its leadership to the financial services sector.
In addition to Dr. Gilpin’s recognition, two other Rokel Commercial Bank staff members received awards for their dedication and professional contributions.
Mr. Umaru Yanka was honoured with the Outstanding Supporter of the WABA Secretariat Award in recognition of his contributions and continued support towards the activities and objectives of the West African Bankers Association.
Similarly, Ibrahim Sorie Kamara received the Rokel Commercial Bank Sierra Leone Ltd. Employee of the Year 2025 Award for his outstanding performance, professionalism, dedication to duty and commitment to delivering quality banking services.
Kamara’s recognition reflects his contributions to the bank’s operations and his commitment to maintaining high standards of service delivery within Sierra Leone’s financial sector.
Beyond celebrating individual accomplishments, the awards ceremony provided an opportunity for banking professionals across the region to reflect on the importance of inclusive financial systems and the growing role of women in shaping the future of banking.
The event also reinforced the need for stronger regional cooperation, professional development and sustainable financial practices to support economic growth across West Africa.
Through initiatives such as the West African Bankers Awards, WABA continues to promote professional excellence, recognise outstanding leadership and encourage collaboration among financial institutions within the region.
For Rokel Commercial Bank, the recognition of Dr. Gilpin, Yanka and Kamara marks a significant moment for the institution, highlighting the achievements of its personnel at both institutional and regional levels.
The three awards also underscore the contributions of Sierra Leonean banking professionals to the wider West African financial industry, as financial institutions across the region continue working towards stronger, more inclusive and sustainable banking systems.
