Aduragbemi Omiyale
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
For their outstanding contributions to corporate governance and rule of law in Nigeria’s banking industry, Juris Law has honoured the duo of Mr Herbert Wigwe and Mr Godwin Emefiele.
Mr Wigwe is the Chairman of Body of Bank CEOs and Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, while Mr Emefiele is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
They got the award at the 2021 Judges Workshop on Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 held on Tuesday, October 12 in Abuja.
Mr Wigwe and Mr Emefiele have partnered in the creation of several positive socio-economic initiatives such as the Creative Industries and Financing Initiative; a loan scheme developed to provide access to long-term and low-interest financing for entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
In addition, they were key parties in the formation of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) – a vehicle created to spearhead corporate Nigeria’s support for the federal government’s fight against the deadly virus.
The successful coalition funded the establishment of response centres, acquisition of medical equipment, supplies and food palliatives for vulnerable Nigerians.
Speaking on the recognition, the Access Bank chief stated that he was honoured to receive the Juris Law award, adding that “through innovative banking initiatives and our underlying sustainability drive, Access Bank will continue to create shared value for all our stakeholders, striking a balance between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility.”
The 2021 Judges Workshop on Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 focused on reforms and the statutory requirements imposed by CBN on all banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria to adopt policies on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism and cyber security in Nigeria.
Present at the occasion were the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN); the Appeal Court President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensen; the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho; the former Chief Justice of Nigeria and former Chairman, Board of Governors, National Judicial Institute, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and other high ranking judicial officers and the legal community.
