First Bank of Nigeria received a presidential congratulatory message from Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, as the lender celebrated its 125th anniversary as a commercial bank.
President Buhari congratulated First Bank through his official Twitter account, @MBuhari, celebrating the bank for its role in the development of Nigeria’s financial sector, as well as setting the standard for the industry.
While he commended the vision and dynamism of First Bank, President Buhari also urged First Bank to continue supporting the Nigerian economy by being the needed financial lifeline for businesses.
We celebrate the purposefulness and prudence that has become the hallmark of the bank, and salute the vision and and dynamism of the management Team. I urge the Bank to continue supporting the Nigerian economy, especially by providing financial lifelines for businesses.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 25, 2019
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said as the oldest bank in Nigeria, FirstBank, has lived up to the expectation of customers over the years. This has led to its survival and continuous service as a formidable training ground for many Nigerian bankers and chief executives.
While celebrating the milestone and great achievements of FBN, the president also lauded Nigerian banks for their renewed focus on infrastructural development and providing financial lifelines for businesses.
He also commended banks in the country for generally supporting government policies in improving the Nigerian economy.
The impact of FirstBank on the Nigerian economy
While giving an overview of the impact of FirstBank on the economy, the Chairman of FBN Holdings (FirstBank’s holding company), Mr Oba Otudeko, said First Bank of Nigeria Ltd has been a symbol of stability. He also boasted of how the bank has produced Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and Advisers to the Nigerian Government over the years.
“WE HAVE IMPACTED THE ECONOMY OF NIGERIA IN A LOT OF WAYS. MANY OF OUR STAFF AND ASSOCIATES HAVE MOVED FROM OUR BANK TO SERVE NIGERIA AS MINISTERS, PERMANENT SECRETARIES, AND AS ADVISERS TO GOVERNMENT IN A LOT OF WAYS.
“WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TODAY IS OUR BANK CONTINUES TO BE A SYMBOL. A SYMBOL OF STABILITY. A SYMBOL OF SAFETY AND INDEED OF EXCELLENCE IN THE SERVICES WE RENDER. EVEN THOUGH WE ARE AN OLD INSTITUTION, WE ARE NOT OLD IN OUR WAYS. OUR TECHNOLOGY AND OUR QUALITY OF SERVICE UNDERLINE INCLUSION WHICH IS A KEY POLICY OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.”
Why First Bank has lasted for so long
Meanwhile, FirstBank‘s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sola Adeduntan, said the bank has lasted this long because of the top class financial services it offers Nigerians.
“TODAY MARKS THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SERIES OF ACTIVITIES THAT MARK THE 125 YEARS OF THE EXISTENCE OF FIRST BANK. IT HAS BEEN 125 YEARS OF PROVIDING TOP CLASS FINANCIAL SERVICES TO THE COUNTRY. IT HAS BEEN 125 YEARS OF SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT. IT HAS BEEN 125 YEARS OF PROVIDING REAL VALUE TO ALL OUR CRITICAL STAKEHOLDERS.”