BUSINESS
125 YEARS ANNIVERSARY: FIRSTBANK HOLDS RELAY WALK, PLEDGES COMMITMENT TO TEAMWORK, SERVICE DELIVERY, VALUE CREATION
By Eric Elezuo
Nigeria’s premier Bank, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, has reiterated its commitment to continue to provide quality services to its over 15 million customers, create value and exhibit wholesome teamwork and coordination among its staff.
The remark was the collective stand point of the Bank’s principal officers as it held a 125 kilometres Relay Walk to celebrate the bank’s 125 years of uninterrupted existence as a heavyweight in the financial industry and general corporate world.
The walk which took place simultaneously at major FirstBank stations across Nigeria, was described as a significant activity to prove that achievements involve everyone committing his own quota for the common good of the whole organization.
Speaking at the Mobolaji Bank Anthony, Ikeja branch of the bank, which hosted one of the walks, FirstBank’s Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Dr. Remi Oni, stated ‘that it takes collaboration, working together, teamwork, empowering ourselves to be able to achieve what we have’.
He pointed out that everyone else’s tiny bit of cooperation contributes to what the Bank has achieved.
He also said that the exchange of baton is “significant in the sense that it suggests that the present group has done their part and has passed on to the next generation that will continue the milestone achievements the bank is known for.”
The walk moved to the headquarters at Marina where the leadership and customers of the bank assembled.
In his speech, the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, said the bank remains committed to value creation and effective service delivery to all stakeholders in the years ahead.
He said the bank would continue to provide standard services and products to its customers and stakeholders for value creation to maintain its market share.
“What we intend to deliver to them will go up in terms of quality and in terms of value,” he said.
Adeduntan reiterated Dr. Oni’s stand that the Relay Walk was very significant because it shows greatness and synergy.
He explained that the 125km was a representation of the collaborative effort of not just FirstBank but all its entities in the last 125 years.
“The 125km is a mark of our incredible journey of delivering impeccable financial services to our customers as we leave no stone unturned to remain an icon of admiration in today’s financial services industry in Africa.
“The Relay Walk is very significant and symbolic.
“It’s symbolic because it’s a collaborative efforts, not just FirstBank’s but other operating entities within the FBNHoldings family.
“We came together to organise a relay and the significance is when you think of a relay, when you think of 125, if you want to run a relay of 125 on your own as an individual you can get tired but when you collaborate, together you can achieve it.”
Adeduntan said the walk signified power synergy, noting that the leadership of the institution had moved from individual to individual, generation to generation in the last 125 years.
“What we are doing is to pass on the baton of this relay to the next generation of our staff,” he said.
In his remarks, the Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings Plc, UK Eke, said the Bank has been able to create a network of partners in the last 125 years.
“What we have been able to achieve today by the Relay Walk is to create a network of partners.
“No other institution in Nigeria has achieved this and we belong to a unique club globally of those that have clocked 125 years and more and we are proud of this day.”
Eke said the passing of baton shows that the bank has come to stay with successive leadership team, team spirit, innovation and self-development.
The Bank’s Chairman, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, on her part, said the bank would continue to be the number one in the industry with long enduring legacy of value creation.
“If you had the kind of legacy we have had, we are 125 years, you can only look forward to the future.
“When you remember that the only way you can have the opportunity to celebrate 125 years today is because at different times, different generations from the least to the highest worker have added value and created value.”
Also speaking, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, said the bank would remain committed to helping customers build and grow their businesses as it has been committed to creating value for 125 years and counting.
She said: “We will continue to partner with our regulators to make sure there is a strong robust financial services system in Nigeria.“
The anniversary celebration continues with more activities including a Jumat service on Friday, March 22, Church Thanksgiving service on Sunday, March 24 while a lecture will take place on Tuesday, March 26 with a prolific guest speaker, followed by a gala night.
First Bank of Nigeria Limited has rewarded six of its customers with N1 million each at the fourth
and grand finale of its ‘WinBig’ promo draw held at its head office in Lagos recently. The promo,
which kicked off in October last year, was one of the biggest campaigns in the financial industry
with FirstBank targeting to give out N170 million cash rewards and recharge cards to customers
who participated and met the criteria to qualify for the monthly draw selections.
In his remarks at the event, Adesola Adeduntan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FirstBank
Group, lauded the customers for what he described as their partnership and patronage over the
years.
Adeduntan, who was represented by Ini Ebong, the bank’s Executive Director, Treasury and
International Banking, said the promo was designed to reward new and existing customers for
making incremental deposits and savings amongst other transactions on their FirstBank
account. He said the initiative was aimed at reiterating the longstanding commitment of the bank
to put its customers first by rewarding them for their loyalty.
He stated: “At the onset of the promo, we set out to give 170 million naira cash rewards to our
customers who participated and met the criteria to qualify for the monthly draws. “I am happy to
announce that 1,240 customers have been rewarded in fulfilment of our promise today. “Today,
six more customers who have been certified to meet the criteria for the final draw will be
rewarded with N1 million each. “Let me also use this opportunity to thank all our customers for
their wide adoption of this promo across all the geographical locations in Nigeria, accentuating
the steady confidence reposed in the FirstBank brand.”
The FirstBank CEO assured the customers of the bank’s continued commitment to digitalise
financial inclusion, “where every Nigerian has ample opportunity and access to financial
services irrespective of age, location and geography.” Ikemefula Nwachukwu, Head of personal
banking at FirstBank, said 1,240 winners had won N100,000 each in the four draws. He added
that six lucky Nigerians won a million naira each while 40,000 customers got N1,000 airtime.
Representatives of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Federal Competition
and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming
Authority (LSLGA) witnessed the draw. Nkiru Onuzulu, zonal coordinator, Lagos zonal office,
NLRC, commended the transparency of the process and commended the bank for the promo.
She said the cash prizes would go a long way in alleviating the economic hardship faced by
families in Nigeria. Two past winners at the last draws — Precious Daniel and Nnaji Alphonsus,
who won a cash prize of N100,000 each, were also recognised.
BUSINESS
A’IBOM GOVT SET TO PARTNER CHINA FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE, TOURISM, OTHERS
Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, brokered a strategic partnership with Niger State — a sub national entity with the largest agricultural farmland in the country — towards enhancing food production and security.
Governors of the two States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos for a cooperation geared towards exploring their comparative advantages in order to facilitate constant supply of agricultural commodities for the end consumers.
The agreement tagged “Produce for Lagos Initiative” is part of the efforts of the two parties to key into the Emergency Food Security Initiative declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cultivate thousands of hectares of land to sustain food production and supply chain.
This arrangement is a long term strategic partnership between the two States in building competencies around their areas of strength. While Lagos is positioned as a ready organised food market for consumers, Niger has its core strength in arable land for agriculture and food production.
The signing of the agreement will be followed by massive supply of fresh farm produce to the Lagos Food Logistics hubs for storage and distribution.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Niger State counterpart, Mallam Umar Mohammed Bago, signed the contract on behalf of the parties.
Sanwo-Olu said: “We have just put the pen to paper and signed the Government-to-Government agreement between Lagos and Niger states for agricultural production. Lagos, being the smallest State in terms of landmass, and Niger, being the largest State, is no coincidence that the biggest and the smallest are looking for at opportunities to citizens of our both states to be the beneficiaries of this historic partnership.”
l-r: Lagos State Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Niger State counterpart, Governor Mohammed Bago during the signing of MoU on Agriculture, at the Lagos House, Marina, on Wednesday, 06 March 2024. Behind are: Commissioners, Hon. Olanrewaju Layode (Home Affairs); Mr. Ope George (Economic Planning & Budget) and Ms. Abisola Olusanya (Agriculture).
Gov. Bago described the partnership as “a landmark” for both parties, noting that the North Central state was willing to leverage organised market in Lagos to boost economic activities in his State.
He said: “This is a landmark agreement that has been made today. Lagos is the largest consumer of agricultural resources in the country based on its population, while Niger State has the largest agricultural land. So, this Memorandum of Understanding came on the heels of exploring the strength of each state to promote food security and safety.
“Niger State is to produce agricultural commodities for Lagos State, and also process staple food items. Lagos State is to leverage the organised market and supply chain to meet consumers’ demands. This is basically the simple explanation of the Memorandum of Understanding, which is in tandem with Mr. President’s food security agenda.”
Lagos Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, noted that the arrangement would help in price stability, as the MoU accommodated pre-production contracts in the value chain to enable farmers cut costs and improve output.
She said the first phase of the Food Security Systems and Central Logistics Park being built in Ketu-Ereyun, Epe would be commissioned in December to warehouse the large supplies from Niger State. In the meantime, she said the existing middle level hubs would be used as distribution points for the supplied commodities.
“This is a marriage made in heaven for our two States. This is a function of production meeting markets. Once there is an off-take market, it would catalyse the production end of the market. Then, this will lead to price stability and food availability.
“Farmers’ profit will also be guaranteed, just as consumers will be happy for timely supplies. We will also have middle men who will have regular sources of income by acting as a bridge between both ends of the market.”
Some of the agricultural commodities to be produced and shipped to Lagos markets include staple foods, rice paddies, tubers, beans, legumes, maize and grains.
-
Banking2 days agoFIRSTBANK ‘WIN BIG’ PROMO ENDS WITH EXCITEMENT AS MILLIONAIRES EMERGE
-
NEWS2 days agoRivers State Unity: Group Takes a Swipe at Abiye Sekibo over Plot to Destabilize it
-
NEWS2 days agoLagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Critical For National Development – MOSOP
-
NEWS2 days agogun Agency Trains Staffers On Techniques, Evaluation Of Statutory Reports
-
NEWS2 days agoTinubu, Northern Elders and the Politics of Regrets