Nigeria’s Premier financial institution and iconic banking Brand,
First Bank of Nigeria Limited had the world stand still on Friday, 1
March 2019, as it held its symbolic flag hoisting ceremony across
Nigeria and other countries where it does business. The FirstBank celebratory flag
hoisting officially flags off the bank’s commemoration of attaining
the milestone year of 125.
The event was also to reinforce the Bank’s continuous march to
greatness; a march that exemplifies tenacity, doggedness, viability,
socio-economic impact and commitment across the length and breadth of
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy.
In Honour Of Firstbank 125 Years Anniversary
The flag hoisting ceremony was held in honour of the Bank’s
illustrious journey that started 125 years ago, a journey that
encompasses more than half a dozen nations across Africa, Europe and
Asia; notably Ghana, DR Congo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea,
China, UK, and France.
The distinctively designed anniversary flag comprised the Bank’s
iconic logo – the elephant head in the yellow gold dynamic shape; the
figure 125 written in The Dreamer Font with the number “5” chipped
out of an elephant tusk; the weaving needle; the embroidered fabrics
from different cultures – Yoruba Adire, Tiv Lishi, Ghana Kente, the
Scottish kilt to illustrate the diversity of a brand that transcends
beyond borders and across Continents.
In the course of the event, the symbolic flag was presented to the Oba
of Lagos, his Royal Highness, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, in recognition of his
traditional leadership of Lagos, the State where the journey began 125
years ago; the Chief of Naval Staff, represented by Rear Admiral
Adebari, in recognition of the movement across the waters by the
Bank’s founders from the United Kingdom; the Deputy Governor of the
Central Bank, Mr Adebisi Shonubi represented by Director of Banking
Operations, Dipo Fatokun as the event is not just about FirstBank but to
pride the industry as one that has impacted the Nation through a century
and a quarter years and lastly, the Chief Executive Officer, the
Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar N. Onyema, signifying the Bank as the
oldest listed company.
Firstbank Anniverary Welcome Address
In the welcome address delivered by the Bank’s Chief Executive
Officer, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, he noted that the flag symbolises the
identity, impact, permanence and reverence of a long-standing
institution which predates Nigeria as a unified entity and added that
FirstBank is entrenched in the nation’s development; woven into the
very fabric of society, with the Bank’s involvement in every stage of
national growth and development.
Reinforcing the Bank’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability,
whilst forging ahead into the future, across its business location,
Adeduntan said “Supporting our host communities to promote sustainable
development and of course, putting You First, in all our business
activities are some of the many secrets of our long existence. We are
now building for the next 125 years and beyond; purposefully blazing the
trail in our industry and ensuring that we maintain our leadership
position.
Expressing his goodwill message to the Bank, the Chief Executive
Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar N. Onyema OON
buttressed the Bank’s impact on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He said
“FirstBank is one of the very first companies to be listed on the
Exchange and they have become a bellwether for us when you look at the
Banking industry.
In addition Onyema identified the leadership role by the Bank in the
NSE stating that “They have also produced a number of Presidents of
the Council of the Exchange; from Oba Otudeko to Asabia and other
captains of industry that FirstBank has offered to the Nigerian Stock
Exchange.
Also speaking, Mr Adebisi Shonubi, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank
of Nigeria, represented by Director of banking operations, Dipo Fatokun
lauded the bank for its achievement in the development of the financial
sector and Nigeria as a whole.
Shonubi said that the history of the Central Bank of Nigeria cannot be
written without the name of the Bank, FirstBank, lettered in gold, as
the Bank has impacted the nation at large.
Other eminent personalities and dignitaries at the event include the
former Managing Director of FirstBank and former Governor of the Central
Bank of Nigeria, Mr Joseph Sanusi; immediate past Managing Director of
the Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya; Former Nigerian Minister of Industry and
former President of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Mrs. Nike Akande and former Nigeria’s Minister of Communication
Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson.
Horse guards parade by the Nigeria Police were at the venue to add to
the glitz and glamour of the event as well the military band who were on
ground to provide music throughout the event, thereby instilling the
Bank’s resolve to foster its support to customers, Nigeria and other
locations across Continents where the Bank operates.
The anniversary flag and flag of countries where the Bank does business
were hoisted at the Bank’s headquarters to represent the nations,
peoples and the diversity the Bank represents.
The 125 anniversary celebration will continue all through the month of
March and through the year with other activities which include the Bell
Ringing at the Nigerian Stock Exchange; a religious thanks-giving to be
held in churches and mosques across Continents and locations of its
business activities; the Anniversary Lecture; the Anniversary Gala
Dinner & Command drama Performance by the famed Bola Austen Peters group
among others. Staff and customers of the bank will also have the
opportunity to participate in the milestone ceremony with donations and
volunteering efforts as part of the bank’s Corporate Responsibility
and Sustainability initiative, SPARK (Spreading Acts of Random Kindness)
