By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The role First Bank Nigeria Limited has played in the nation’s economy has been recognised by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This year, the financial institution is marking its 125th year of its establishment in Nigeria and in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President congratulated the board, management and staff of First Bank for upholding the vision of the founder, Alfred Lewis Jones.
Mr Buhari said as the oldest bank in Nigeria, First Bank Nigeria Limited has lived up to the expectation of customers over the years, both private and public, necessitating its survival and continuous service as a formidable training ground for many Nigerian bankers and chief executives, who have also established banks and served the country as Governors of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He saluted the vision and strength of character of the management in providing a voice for the Nigerian economy by rendering competitive financial services that have culminated in spread of branches across the country, Africa and Europe.
President Buhari said he joins the financial services industry, particularly the banking sector, “in celebrating the purposefulness, prudence and propriety that has become the hallmark of the bank for more than a century and quarter.”
He used the occasion to applaud banks operating in the country for generally supporting government policies in buoying the economy, especially with the renewed focus on infrastructural development and providing financial lifelines for businesses, urging them to always explore partnerships that will benefit the country and promote trust.
First Bank Nigeria Limited commenced banking operations in the country in 1894 and has since become one of the top lenders in Nigeria.
