The Nation Newspaper

Tag: First Bank

  • ACCW qualifiers: Coach Aderemi, four players rejoin First Bank BC

    First Bank Basketball Club coach, Adewunmi Aderemi and four players who have been with the national team at the African Games (AG) and the Afrobasket will rejoin their team on Wednesday to continue preparation for the FIBA African Champions Cup for Women (ACCW), which will hold early next month at a yet to be disclosed venue.

    The four players, who were part of Nigeria’s second and third place finish at the AG and the Afrobasket are Akashile Nkechi, Udeaja Chioma, Upe Atusu and Akaraiwe Nkem Uwa.

    Aderemi told SportingLife that the experience gathered by the players at both events would come in handy when the ACCW qualifiers take place next month. He said the players who returned early last week would have rested well before rejoining their teammates on Wednesday.

    He stated that the players were now more exposed, experienced and would have no fear facing players from other teams at the qualifiers, noting that they can transfer some of the new techniques they have learnt in their absence to their teammates.

    “I must praise the players for their contribution to the D’Tigress campaign at the AG and the Afrobasket. They will resume on Wednesday and they will bring their experience to the team and hopefully we will make it to the final of the ACCW in December. Some of the players at the AG and Afrobasket will also be at the ACCW qualifiers and the finals and some of my players have played against them, which is good for the team.”

    Coach Aderemi said he has been able to see some of the players that would play at the qualifiers and also expressed hope that what he has learnt would come in handy as he rejoins his team on Wednesday. Going by what took place at the AG and the Afrobasket, Aderemi stated that his team would have to improve on defensive and offensive plays to make an impact on the continent.

    He also stated that he would have to meet with the management to decide whether or not to bring new players to bolster the team for the challenges ahead. He, however, assured that his team would do everything possible to qualify for the finals.

  • ACCW: First Bank BC resumes training today

    ACCW: First Bank BC resumes training today

    First Bank Basketball Club will resume training today at the sports hall of the National Stadium, Lagos after the Sallah break to continue preparation for the qualifiers for the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women.

    Ten players were in training last Thursday with two staying off due to personal reasons, while four are away on national duty with the D’Tigress at the Afrobasket for Women in Cameroun. The training, which was conducted by assistant coaches, Chris Acha and Taiye Adeniyi in the absence of head coach, Adewunmi Aderemi who is on national assignment with the D’Tigress in Cameroun.

    According to Acha and Adeniyi, the emphasis is to put the players in top shape for the qualifiers, which might likely take place in Togo.

    “What we intend to do is to ensure the players return to top form before the qualifiers begin. Since we began training in early September the players have regained fitness and are already imbibing some of the things we are teaching them and hopefully they will perform well at the qualifiers.  They have been on recess since the leagues ended and we believe that putting them in shape for the qualifiers is the right thing to do,” they added.

    “Some of the players would be rusty after resting for so long. So the training they are getting now will put them in good shape for the qualifiers. Coach Acha and I will take the team through training until the head coach returns from the Afrobasket Championship,” Adeniyi said.

  • Zenith Women Basketball: First Bank, Dolphins, 6 others qualify for Final Eight

    Zenith Women Basketball: First Bank, Dolphins, 6 others qualify for Final Eight

    FirstBank Basketball Club of Lagos, the defending champions of the 11th Zenith Female Basketball League, the runners-up, Dolphin have qualified for Final Eight play-off of the league. Six other clubs also qualified for the stage.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the eight teams emerged after the second phase of the league, held from June 9 to June 17 in Ilorin, the Kwara capital.

    The other six qualifiers are First Deepwater, AHIP Queens, Sunshine Angels, Customs, IGP Queens and Delta Force.

    First Bank topped its Group A table with 16 points, having won all their eight matches. They are followed by First Deepwater with 15 points having won seven matches, and losing only one.

    Surprisingly, the final eight debutant, AHIP Queens, edged past final eight regular, Sunshine Angels, with goal difference after being tied at 13 points apiece.

    Dolphins topped the Group B table with 16 points from eight matches, Nigeria Customs was placed second with 15 points, IGP Queens’ third with 14 points and Delta Force, fourth with 13 points.

    NAN reports that the Final Eight play-off will be played in Lagos later in the year.

  • Court orders First Bank to provide details of bullet proof cars purchase

    Court orders First Bank to provide details of bullet proof cars purchase

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered First Bank of Nigeria Plc to disclose details of the loan facility it granted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for the 2013 purchase of two bullet-proof BMW cars for former Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah.

    The judge held that the bank is covered by the provisions of Sections 2(7) and 31 of the Freedom of Information Act even though it is a private company.

    Justice Yunusa had on April 28 delivered a similar judgment against Coscharis Motors Limited, which was involved in the transaction. The company has appealed the judgment.

    The vehicles were said to have cost N255million.

    Yesterday’s verdict was on a suit also filed by a group, Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, against the bank over its refusal to disclose the information following an application it made under the FOI Act on October 30, 2013.

    Although First Bank claimed at the hearing that as a private company, it was not covered by the FOI Act, Justice Yunusa noted that the bank did not deny EIE’s claim that it collects levies and taxes on the government’s  behalf and is, therefore, a private company performing public functions within the meaning of the Act.

    Justice Yunusa ruled that Sections 1(3) and 20 of the FOI Act give EIE the right to apply to the court to compel the First Bank to disclose the information that it applied for.

    According to him, the bank did not give any reason for its refusal to disclose the information.

    Holding that the objective of the FOI Act, as stated in its preamble, is to make public records and information more freely available, the judge granted the reliefs prayed for by EIE.

    The court, however, refused to issue an order directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate criminal proceedings against First Bank but asked EIE to write formally to the Attorney-General.

    The suit was filed on behalf of EIE last January 9 by Mr. Ayodeji Acquah of Media Rights Agenda Network.

    The applicant sought a declaration that the bank’s refusal to grant access to or make available to EIE the information it requested in its letter dated October 30, 2013 amounts to wrongful denial of access to information under Section 7(5) of the FOI Act.It sought for an an order of mandamus compelling First Bank to grant access to or make available to EIE the information it requested.

    It sought to know the credit application file the bank provided for the loan facility of N836,970,156  for the purchase of two bullet proof BMW 760 Ll HSS vehicles for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) from  Coscharis Motors.

    EIE asked for the original documents, including pro-forma invoice(s) from the supplier, request letter from NCAA and insurance certificate for the assets (the BMW vehicles); rationale for approval including the credit application (or an acceptable alternative) originating the request and details of the approving authority; and offer letter to NCAA stating  the  terms  and conditions of the loan facility.

    It also asked for the loan account statement reflecting the two payments, and an order of mandamus compelling the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate criminal proceedings against First Bank for wrongful denial of access to information to EIE under Section 7(5) of the FOI Act.

  • First Bank MD Onasanya to retire in December

    First Bank MD Onasanya to retire in December

    AFTER over three decades of “inspiring and enviable career”, FirstBank Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Olabisi Stephen Onasanya is set to retire. He has completed his tenure.

    Onasanya’s retirement takes effect at the end of the current Financial Year on December 31.

    A statement signed by the bank’s Global Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said Onasanya is retiring on the heels of an inspiring and enviable career spanning over three decades of diverse management and operational experience, 21 years of which he has spent with FirstBank, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc., serving meritoriously in the last six years as Group Managing Director/CEO.

    Onasanya was born on August 16, 1961.

    The statement added: “He has been able to stabilise and modernise the expanding FirstBank brand since his appointment in 2009, thus reinforcing the confidence of the bank’s diverse stakeholders and the global financial publics. Mr. Onasanya’s successor will be announced in the last quarter prior to his exit. This is in sync with FirstBank’s corporate governance practice, which provides for seamless transition for the office of Group Managing Director. As is well known, FirstBank’s corporate governance posture has won it much respect and awards both locally and internationally,” the statement said.

    Onasanya is described as “a seasoned banker and chartered accountant; a highly respected and personable executive who has established a reputation at FirstBank for solid performance and sound judgment”.

    “He is widely reputed as the architect of the modern FirstBank, associated with various innovative and creative achievements. He was Project Coordinator of Century 2 the new frontier, FirstBank’s far-reaching enterprise transformation project at the turn of the century, as well as Project Coordinator of the FirstBank Corporate Transformation project which has seen the bank accentuating its foothold on modernisation. Mr. Onasanya also superintended the latest composite Corporate Identity/Brand Refresh of the FirstBank Group, a bold step heralding the international expansion of the FirstBank brand,” it said.

    “A corporate strategy and development pacesetter, Mr. Onasanya has ensured the steady internationalisation of FirstBank, which under his leadership now boasts of subsidiaries with operations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

  • Trial begins on COSON, First Bank copyright tussle

    HEARING has begun on the prayer by Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), asking a Federal High Court, Lagos, in 2014, for N700 million in unpaid royalties and damages against First Bank Plc. for copyright infringement.

    COSON had accused the bank of “unauthorised use of several musical works and sound recordings communicated to the public, deployed and exploited as marketing, promotional and advertising materials and contained in First Bank’s video presentation, Sights and Sounds of Carnival Calabar.”

    At the opening of the case before Hon. Justice Ibrahim Buba at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, last Tuesday, Mr. Justin Ige, lawyer to COSON, called his first witness, Mr. Chibueze Okereke, who introduced himself as a Journalist, Communications practitioner and COSON’s Head of Licensing.

    Okereke, who was cross examined by First Bank’s lawyer, Mr. Ekpe Asuquo, said that the Calabar Carnival has developed into an international event, adding that the Sights & Sounds of Carnival Calabar, must have added value to the bank.

    In the Suit No. FHC/CS/L/530/2014, COSON had pleaded in its 29 paragraph Statement of Claim that the bank did not apply for or secure a license or any authorization whatsoever before using the musical works and sound recordings of its members and assignors as contained in the video, Sights and Sounds of Carnival Calabar deployed by First Bank Plc in its marketing, promotion and advertising and posted on the internet .

    Further hearings have been adjourned to April 22, 2015, when COSON chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, is expected to appear as a witness.

  • First Bank BC shifts camp to Akure

    First Bank BC shifts camp to Akure

    Zenith Bank Women Basketball  League champions, First Bank BC arrived in Akure, Ondo State, yesterday to continue preparation for the opening phase of the league, which begins on March 30 in Abuja.

    Assistant coach of the team, Taiye Adeniyi, who disclosed this to SportingLife yesterday, stated that 20 players would continue preparation for the league at the sports hall of the Akure Stadium. According to her, the move is to ensure that the players are not distracted and boost the team’s chances of retaining the title it reclaimed last season.

    Adeniyi stated that the players were in top shape and would continue the good work they started in Lagos in the build up to the new season. “The essence of shifting camp to Akure is to ensure that the team is not distracted. We have a bunch of players who are willing to do well this season and the technical crew headed by Coach Adewunmi Aderemi is committed to impart the latest basketball skill on the players.”

    The team started preparation last month and Adeniyi stated that the training in Akure would be a continuation of what the players started in Lagos. “The players will be taken through the basics of the game because without it they cannot do well in the league. And I am sure the head coach is ready to show the players the way forward.”

    Aderemi also said that the team would have about 10 new players to fill up the positions vacated by players who left the team for greener pastures after the FIBA African Club Championship for Women in Sfax, Tunisia, last year.

    Aderemi stated that the recruitment became necessary to enable the Elephant Girls, as the team is fondly called, become strong again and have the capacity to retain the title it reclaimed last year after missing out for four years.

    “What we intend to do is to get players that fit into our team and also share our aspiration of maintaining our stronghold on the league. We are not just looking for players, but quality players that can make our team better. We have lost players to foreign clubs, so we need to bolster our team, “ Aderemi added.

    Having finished fourth at the FIBA Africa Championship, Aderemi noted that the target this year is to win the title despite the strong presence of Angolan teams – Inter club and Primero D’Agosto.  “It is definitely a big task, but my target this year is to win the African Championship. The team has achieved the feat twice and I hope it can repeat it this year.”

    He said the team’s parent company, First Bank Nigeria PLC have been very supportive and said such is also needed to enable the team realise its ambition this year.

  • FirstBank expands to DR Congo

    FirstBank expands to DR Congo

    First Bank of Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings PLC and Nigeria’s most valuable bank brand today unveils FBNBank DR Congo, formerly registered as Banque Internationale de Credit (BIC).

    In 2011, FirstBank acquired 75 per cent equity interest in BIC and immediately reinforced it as one of the strongest banking institutions in the DRC. Following the recent approval by Central Bank of Congo (BCC), the Banque Internationale de Credit has now become FBNBank DR Congo, a subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

    FBNBank DR Congo is strategically positioned to foster greater collaboration and provide better service for the country’s public and private sector clients, and the general public at large.

    The launch further consolidates FirstBank’s position as the largest corporate and retail banking financial institution in sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) with presence in Ghana, Guinea, Gambia and Senegal as well as presence in the UK and representatives offices in Johannesburg, Paris, Abu Dhabi and Beijing, China. The expansion represents FirstBank’s strategic objective to maintain significant market share, expand its pan-African footprint and diversify earnings while delivering value to shareholders.

    With over 35 branches in DRC, FBNBank DR Congo leverages FBN’s international network, business expertise, which is part of the diversified synergies of the FBN Group to offer innovative, convenient and secure banking services to its customers and better seize the emerging opportunities of the market.

  • FIBA Africa’s Romdhane rates First Bank high

    FIBA Africa’s Romdhane rates First Bank high

    Member of the FIBA Africa Women Commission, Salma Ben Romdhane, has commended First Bank Basketball Club for putting a good performance at the ongoing African Champions Cup for Women in Sfax, Tunisia.

    Romdhane, who is also a member of the Tunisia Basketball Federation (TBF), stated that the Nigerian team has shown good improvement from 2012 when they last participated in the competition. She also commended the team’s management for putting together a good squad.

    “The First Bank team has shown great improvement and played well at this competition. They were also very good in the victory over CS Sfax and can get to the top if they continue this way. Despite the fans backing their the home team, the Nigerian stood strong and won the game.

    “They also did the same against KPA  OF Kenya  and I am sure they can become champions again if they continue to play well,” Romdhane said.

    She added that women basketball has improved and predicted a good Nations Cup. “I hope the players replicate their performance at the Nations Cup and the fans will be in for a good time.”

  • 200 golfers vie for honour at First Bank Open C’ship

    200 golfers vie for honour at First Bank Open C’ship

    Over 200 golfers from different club across the country will this weekend battle for honours at the 53th edition of the Lagos Open Golf Championship at the Ikoyi Golf Club.

    According to the organisers, the event, which is being bankrolled by First Bank Nigeria Plc, this year’s edition will surpass previous editions in terms of organization and competitiveness.

    Captain of the Ikoyi Golf Club, Ted Iwere, said the historic strength of the competition as the longest running the event at the club for 53 years suggested that the programme was big enough to enjoy the corporate backing of First Bank.

    “We have enjoyed adequate support from First Bank over the years and I think it is only normal that we reciprocate by going the extra mile to make this event grand,” Iwere noted.

    Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said the sponsor would draw inspiration from the competition’s longevity to ensure its sustenance in the years ahead.

    “We have not stopped to think of innovation with regard to uplifting the championship year-in and year-out and we believe the latest renewal will reflect this year in terms of quality play and rewards,” Ani-Mumuney said.

    She said it was good to that the bank has partnered with a great institution for 52 years and was proud to have maintained this tradition as well as contribute to the growth of the nation by ensuring that people stay healthy by playing golf.

    Ani-Mumuney said that that apart from playing golf, the competition also afford the Ikoyi Golf Club, First Bank and the players the opportunity to network, while assuring that they would continue to sponsor the tournament. She also promised that the bank would continue to support Polo, football and basketball.

    Also, participants would have the opportunity to plays against professional golfers, Ian Keenan from Royal Liverpool Golf Club and Alex Rowland from the Hawarden Golf club, in the Beat the Pro Challenge.