Heritage Bank Promises To Support Lagos Gov’t Efforts On Education And Security

Managing Director, Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo has pledged his bank's determination to support the efforts of the Lagos State government in the twin areas of security and education.

He made this disclosure when he led the bank's management on a recent visit to the governor in his Alausa Office Complex.

Mr. Sekibo said Heritage Bank had concluded plan to adopt one deprived school in the state, under the Lagos State Government's 'Adopt a School Programme'.

The unnamed school, according to him, would benefit from the Bank's complete turn-around package that would include facility upgrade, provision of learning aids and students' motivation, among others.

He also promised that the Bank would be partnering with the state government on security matters by donating fund and equipment to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

While describing Heritage Bank as a bank keen on promoting Nigeria arts & culture, Mr Sekibo mentioned that the bank had already signed an MOU with the Nigerian Tourism Development Company (NTDC) and sponsored the virtual museum Lagos Business School

to showcase Nigerian arts to the world. He added that the bank's primary mission is 'to assist those who want to succeed to make it happen and those who have succeeded to preserve and transfer their achievements to future generations'.

In his response, the Lagos State Governor, Barrister Babatunde Raji Fashola said he was happy to hear that Heritage Bank had put in place mechanism for depositors of trapped funds in the old SGBN to recover 100 percent of their money.

He noted that growth could only be measured through empowerment and sustainability and called on the bank to look at how to empower and lead in the effort to strengthen the mortgage sector as well as the small and medium scale businesses in the state.

While thanking the bank for its pledge to partner with the state government, Governor Fashola emphasised that the State had put in place adequate capacity to respond to emergency irrespective of who is to benefit.

'As for the school adoption, I am very happy over your decision; who knows whether the school you are going to adopt could produce the next CEO of your bank', he noted.

The governor also pointed out that Heritage Bank's support for preservation of historical sites is a welcome development.