Business
FirstBank Celebrates Annual Week of Kindness, Partners NCF to Plant 50k Trees in Three Years
In furtherance of its leading role in promoting socio-economic development, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, has announced the commencement of its Annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Week.
For the past seven years, FirstBank colleagues and customers come together to participate in global annual volunteer (Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness) SPARK initiative, to give back to and foster positive change within the communities where they live and work. This has seen an impact of over 200,000 lives across eight countries, over 103 charities supported as well as over 121,015 volunteer hours achieved.
The activities of the 2023 edition, which is scheduled for 23 to 28 October 2023, include Tree Planting, Women Empowerment, SPARK Schools Engagement, Orphanage Homes, the less privileged engagement, and Kind Comments Day.
In partnership with Nigeria Conservation Foundation, FirstBank employees and partners will progress its planting activity which targets 50,000 trees over a three-year period from 2023. Tree planting is one of FirstBank’s initiatives to reduce its carbon footprints and promote environmental sustainability as part of its overarching sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) strategy and in alignment with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation’s Forest Programme – Green Recovery Nigeria (GRN) which is designed to help increase Nigeria forest cover from its current state of about 4-7% to 25% by 2047.
Additionally, in line with FirstBank’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG) of women empowerment, the Bank will support cancer foundations focused on women and skills acquisition for women on 25 and 26 October 2023. As a member of UN Women, FirstBank employs the relevant women empowerment tools to empower women internally and externally as well as partner with International Women Society to drive skills acquisition.
The Kind Comments Day is an advocacy campaign encouraging staff, customers, and other stakeholders to say kind things about one another. It focuses on inspiring and encouraging people to be deliberate about the use of kind words in relation to others.
On 27 October 2023, staff of the Bank will visit schools for the SPARK School Engagement. This activity is aimed at engaging school students through the Bank’s employees on financial literacy and inculcating and equipping young people with entrepreneurship skillset and mindset to inspire self-belief despite the increasingly daunting economic challenges while preparing them for the future of work.
Rounding off the 2023 CR&S Week will be visits to Orphanage Homes, the less privileged engagement which will hold on 28 October 2023. Orphanages, including the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs), will be visited in six geo-political zones in Nigeria as well as other SSA markets.
“At FirstBank, we are committed to promoting the culture of kindness as it continues to engender positive relationships with our host communities. By making kindness a way of life, we build stronger communities, foster empathy, and create a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond this week, said Ms. Folake Ani-Mumuney, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications for FirstBank.
It’s great to see our volunteers demonstrate their continued commitment to positively impact our communities. In the spirit of kindness, I encourage everyone to join us in celebrating the FirstBank Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability week as we make kindness a part of our daily lives, interacting with one another in impactfully memorable ways,” she concluded.
FirstBank has continued to receive awards and recognition for its consistent positive impact and performance from reputable companies globally. Amongst these awards and accolades are the Most Socially Responsible Bank (2018) (International Finance Banking Awards); CSR Bank of the Year (2020) Business Day Banking & Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; Market Leader Nigeria (CSR) Euromoney Market Leaders 2022; Best CSR Bank Nigeria (2021) (Global Banking and Finance magazine); Excellence in Women Economic Empowerment (2019) (Central Bank of Nigeria); Market Leader Nigeria (ESG) Euromoney Market Leaders 2022.
The Ogun State Government, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun MFR, CON, has issued the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for Treasure Park and Gardens Phase 2 (City of David) and Treasure Park and Gardens phase 3 (Capetown Estate), to the foremost real estate developer in Nigeria, Adron Homes.
The gesture, according to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Maureen Echefu, and made available to Pointblank.ng, is to showcase Ogun State’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for real estate development.
The milestone, the statement further revealed, reflects the state government’s unwavering dedication to partnering with credible organizations that are driving development and growth in the real estate sector. By issuing the C of O to Adron Homes, the Ogun State Government has not only demonstrated its efficiency in processing land documentation, but has also emphasized its trust in reputable developers who prioritize excellence and compliance in their operations.
This recent issuance of the C of O by the Ogun State Government marks the second time the state has demonstrated its strong belief in the power of Public-Private Partnerships to drive development. During the tenure of the previous administration, the past governor, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, similarly issued Certificates of Occupancy for Treasure Park and Gardens Phase 1 (Genesis Estate), and Treasure Park and Gardens (Glasshouse Estate). This continued collaboration shows a consistent commitment to fostering a thriving real estate sector, creating jobs, and delivering quality housing solutions for the people of Ogun State.
The Chairman of Adron Homes and Properties, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, expressed his gratitude to the Ogun State Government for its prompt issuance of the C of O. He commended the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun for maintaining a business-friendly environment that enables real estate developers to contribute meaningfully to the state’s housing development agenda.
“We are deeply honored by this gesture, as it further validates our commitment to building world-class estates that provide comfort, security, and long-term value for our clients. Treasure Park and Gardens Phase 2 (City of David), and Treasure Park and Gardens phase 3 (Capetown Estate) in Shimawa are demonstrations of our vision of making luxury affordable, with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities that cater to the modern homeowner. This partnership with the Ogun State Government strengthens our resolutuons to expand access to quality housing for all Nigerians,” the Chairman said.
The Treasure Park and Gardens Estates, situated in the serene locale of Shimawa, Ogun State, offers residents a harmonious blend of tranquility and accessibility. With meticulously planned layouts, paved roads, modern drainage systems, recreational spaces, and lots more, these estates set a benchmark for sustainable living. The issuance of the C of O now provides an added layer of assurance to current and prospective investors, reaffirming Adron Homes’ reputation as a trusted leader in real estate development.
The issuance of the C of O marks a significant chapter in the Treasure Park and Gardens Estates’ journey, and reinforces the Ogun State Government’s commitment to driving development, investment, and prosperity in the real estate sector.
For more information about Adron Homes, and the Treasure Park and Gardens Estates, visit www.adronhomesproperties.com
It was a moment of joy and excitement in Lagos on Thursday as the second prize-presentation event in Glo ‘Festival of Joy’ promo took place at Gloworld, Adeola Odeku Street, with a civil engineering contractor, Ayobami Adejumobi, going home with a brand new Toyota Prado.
The key to the jeep was presented to 42-year-old Adejumobi, who was accompanied by friends and relatives and the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
Speaking at the event, Osun State-born Adejumobi thanked Globacom immensely for the prize. He said, “I still can’t believe it. A call came from Globacom and the news was too good to believe. I doubted it. Could it be fraudsters? However, I remembered the promo and how I joined when it was launched, and I immediately proceeded to the Gloworld on Adeola Odeku where the Glo officials were expecting me. I thank Glo for this prize. I will use the jeep personally; it will enhance my status and help me to get more jobs as a civil engineering contractor”.
Other winners at the event also commended Globacom for providing a platform for many Nigerians to win prizes. Bukola Olatunji, from Ijebu-Ode who won a Keke Napep said, ”I have always been a faithful participant in various Glo promos and have never lost hope that I would one day become a winner”. She promised to continue participating in all of Globacom’s promotions in future.
A generator winner, 33-year-old Ayodeji Olukunmi, also said “it’s indeed a joyful period, winning a brand new generator means a lot to me, God bless Globacom”, while Daniel Eleh from Benue State, who won a sewing machine, said, “I was shocked and surprised when I got the call. Glo has always been good to Nigerians.”
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who was the special guest of honour commended Globacom for such thoughtful reward schemes. “The good thing is that this is happening at a difficult time in the country. We must thank Glo for this and just pray that next year, it will be bigger. We would love the Chairman, (Dr Mike Adenuga), to make it twice this size next year. May God continue to bless the company,” he said.
Globacom’s Divisional Head, West, Lawrence Odediran, who also spoke at the event stated that new and existing subscribers can participate in the Festival of Joy promo by dialing *611# to opt into the promo and to keep recharging (voice and data) during the promo period, in order to be eligible to win the prizes on offer. He explained that new subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.
Dignitaries at the event include Deputy Majority Leader, Lagos House of Assembly, Honourable Adedamola Richard; Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye a representative of the Nigeria Communications Commission, Mrs Ijeoma Bassey; Iyaloja of Sura Market, Alhaja Raliat Adebayo, and nollywood trio of Uche Jombo, Adeolu Saga and Broda Shaggi.
As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to France, the Chairman of UBA Group, in the presence of President Tinubu and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, signed a landmark business cooperation agreement with the French Finance Minister, Antoine Armand. The agreement is a significant indication of support by the French Government for the development of UBA’s full banking operations in France.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of UBA Group commented: ”This partnership reinforces our commitment to seamless international banking services for our customers, not just across the 11 Francophone African countries we serve, but Africa as a whole; and French and European customers transacting with Africa. Expanding into France is a natural progression, with Paris serving as our European Union hub, as we continue to bring Africa and the world together, through innovative financial solutions. Paris will join London, New York and Dubai, as a critical component of our unique global network.”
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.
