• Govt lauds banks’ developmental roles
The developmental roles of banks again came to the fore yesterday as Nigerian banks donated multi-million naira relief materials to victims of recent floods, with a commitment to continue to provide supports for socio-economic development of the country.
The donations to victims of floods in Jigawa State were made yesterday under the auspices of Committee of Nigeria’s Banks’ Chief Executive Officers.
A delegation of the banks’ chief executives visited Jigawa State to empathise with the residents and government and provide assurances of continuing supports.
The delegation included Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Chairman of the Committee, Dr Oliver Alawuba; Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Dame Adaora Umeoji and Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.
Also on the entourage were President, Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), Mr Rasheed Bolarinwa and Registrar and Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Akin Morakinyo.
Alawuba, who spoke on behalf of the banks, said the banks were in Jigawa State to lend helping hands to the state government by donating relief materials in support of the affected residents, and also critical institutions that provide care such as public hospitals.
He noted that the multi-million naira relief materials consisting of food items such as bags of rice, cartons of vegetable cooking oil, mattresses, and beverages would go a long way in providing comfort and lessen the burden of the victims impacted by the floods.
He said the humanitarian gesture was a testament to the Nigeria banking sector’s commitment to supporting the well-being of Nigerians in times of need.
“As bankers, we are not just concerned about the economic implications of natural disasters; we are also deeply troubled by the human suffering that accompanies them. We believe that it is our collective responsibility to support those affected and help them rebuild their lives,” Alawuba said.
He recalled that banks had continuously shown supports for national interests citing the previous donations for victims of national disasters and more than N32 billion galvanized for national healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Nigerian banking industry has a long history of interventions, dating back to the 2011 and 2013 flooding when 28 and 32 states were affected by floods. In trying moments, we provided significant support to the affected states and communities. More recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian banking sector played a critical role in supporting the governments at all levels efforts to contain and manage the spread of the virus.
“Notably, we were proud to be part of the Central Bank of Nigeria-led Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) Relief Fund, where we contributed significantly to the Fund’s efforts to provide palliatives to vulnerable Nigerians and strengthen the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. The intervention of the banking sector resulted in over N32 billion being pooled to fill a significant funding gap for the governments during the unexpected global pandemic.
“Furthermore, as we navigated the post-pandemic era, Nigerian banks played important roles in helping businesses recover. Banks in Nigeria supported firms of all sizes, to mitigate the impact of the extended lockdown and disruption to business activities in many ways. Through the stabilization funds, Nigerian banks provided loans and credits to small and medium businesses to stay afloat, thereby ensuring business sustainability, preventing job losses, and fostering national economic growth.
“In addition to boosting the resilience of businesses, the support of various banks to their customers through the establishment of safety protocols such as keeping a safe distance, and provision of face masks, hand sanitizers, and handwashing points across bank branches and payment points, significantly impacted on Nigeria’s effectiveness in responding to the pandemic. These efforts were acknowledged by many global institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO),” Alawuba said.
He added that Nigerian banks have also always been at the forefront of many other laudable initiatives across both economic and non-economic sectors, particularly in the area of security.
For instance, banks has been given supports to state and national security outfits such as the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, which has become a model copied by other states for sustainable funding of the training, equipment, and welfare needs of personnel of the Nigeria Police deployed to the state, thereby improving the security of lives and property in the state.
Also, in the aftermath of the destruction of Police facilities by the #EndSARS protesters, in 2020, bankers responded to the government’s call for the rebuilding and remodeling of the destroyed stations into more befitting workplaces for the personnel of this critical security agency.
Alawuba reaffirmed banks’ commitment to continue to lead from the front as agents of positive change in society.
“We will continue to work together to support those in need, promote economic growth and development, and to contribute to the well-being of our great nation,” Alawuba assured.
He commended banks which generously contributed to the relief efforts, noting that their supports underscore banks’ unrelenting passion for national development and care for the environment where they do their businesses.
“As industry leaders and key stakeholders, it is our conviction that, through our collective efforts and actions, we can make a big difference together and in our individual space. And this, is what we, as the Committee of Nigeria Banks’ CEOs, have affirmed again here today. Indeed, together, we can rebuild our Nigeria into a prosperous nation that works for all,” Alawuba said.
Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, who received the banks’ chief executives, commended banks for their developmental roles through direct finances and several corporate social responbility initiatives.
He noted that by identifying with the good people of Jigawa in their hour of need, banks have again demonstrated their love, care and mutual relationship.
Apparently overwhelmed by the high-powered delegation of Banks’ CEOs who visited him in his office, to formally handover the multi-million naira relief items, Namadi said both the visit and relief materials provided succours to the people.
“Never did we imagine four MDs of big banks in Nigeria will visit our state on behalf of their colleagues to emphatise with us,” Namadi said.
He said the government would continue to work together with the banks for Nigeria’s progress.
He specifically noted the support of banks to Jigawa State, pointing out that “at one time or the other, many banks in Nigeria have helped government of Jigawa”.
He assured that the relief materials would be evenly distributed to the people they are meant for while calling for continuing efforts across the public and private sectors to improve the wellbeing of the people.
“As you rightly noted, the flood victims have suffered enough in a period but with institutions like Nigerian banks, they know they have hope. We do not take this gesture for granted. We pray God to replenish the purse of Nigerian banks for their generosity to the people of the state,” Namadi said.
