Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Dr. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has described the First Bank Group’s traditional painstaking approach to the ethics of excellent banking best practices as part of the factors responsible for its being the most customer-conscious of all the banking institutions home and abroad.
This was contained in the goodwill message delivered by Oba Balogun at the Gala marking the First Bank Group’s 40th anniversary in London, the United Kingdom (UK), where he was the Special Guest of Honour on Friday.
The Olubadan, in a release by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, described First Bank as the oldest surviving of all the first generation banks back home in Nigeria.
The traditional ruler also stated that the verdict he passed on the bank was the submission and declaration of financial experts.
He added: “I must acknowledge and admit at this juncture that by and large, the First Bank Group has successfully been able to give a good account of itself in the banking industry.”
The traditional ruler recounted how the First Bank Group had continued to survive the stormy weather of both the Nigeria financial system and that of the global financial crisis which had led to the untimely demise of some of some banks established even after it.
Oba Balogun said: “This is why those of us who have been privileged to be part of the growth and development of the First Bank group have remained so proud of you as the pride of Africa.
“The bank’s commitment to safe deposit, reliable business partnership that fast tracks transactions, good returns on investment, regular customers’ enlightenment that keeps them at a distance from scammers and a sustainable stimulating staff welfare packages have also been advanced as part of the enabling factors the First Bank group had deployed to remain perpetually afloat.”
He presented greetings and good tidings from the people of Ibadanland, described as the biggest city in West Africa and the second in Africa next to Cairo in Egypt.
Olubadan advised the Management of the First Bank to continue to consolidate on its past gains, create new stream of income lines while pursuing efforts to deploy technology into making service delivery to its customers much easier and better, both in the UK and in Nigeria and establish more branches to create employment opportunities for his people.
Oba Balogun restated the business potentials possessed by Ibadan, saying, “you are all aware that Ibadan is the commercial nerve centre of the Western Nigeria. It has the population to drive your business.
“I want to assure you that the Olubadan Palace is prepared for all the support and assistance the bank may require from time to time as a catalyst to your further growth and as partners in progress.”
Oba Balogun described the invitation extended to him to be the Special Guest of Honour at the epoch-making event as a great honour to him and Ibadanland.
He maintained that “the executives of the First Bank’s Group deserve commendations for keeping the bank on the path of consistent growth, thereby keeping its flag flying and flying it profitably too.
“Once again, I thank you so much for giving me the honour to be part of this rare and great event the type someone like me would always want to be associated with.I am grateful. Ori Ade a gbe yin, Oke’badan a gbe yin o,” the traditional prayed.
Former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, gave his goodwill message at the event zoom.
It was stated in the letter of invite with the title ‘Celebrating First Bank’s 40th Anniversary in the UK’ and signed by Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO, First Bank Group, that “beginning in 1982 as the London branch of First Bank, FBNBank UK has steadily developed into Nigeria’s premier and most prominent banking franchise in the UK.
“Notably, in addition to its Paris presence, FBNBank UK provides essential linkages between businesses in the wider African markets and their counterparts across Europe and Asia.
“FBNBank UK has weathered these four decades, thanks to the foresight of its founders, the dedication and tenacity of its employees, the patronage and advocacy of its customers and other stakeholders as well as the hospitality and support of its communities”, the letter reads further.
On the entourage of Olubadan were his brother and the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Dr. Kola Balogun, two of Olubadan’s wives, Olori Olayinka and Olufunmilayo, Olubadan’s first child, Princess Olufunmilayo Balogun-Osinowo, Prince Aderoju Balogun and Mogaji Adebayo Asimiyu.
Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the CEO of the First Bank Group led his team to receive the guests at the epoch-making event which had in attendance a long list of bankers and private sector operators.
In attendance were Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kayode Ariwoola, former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Parakoyi of Ibadanland, Chief Tunde Afolabi and a former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi.
