FirstBank partners AES to chart discourse on economy diversification
Consistent with its thought leadership position and commitment to promote entrepreneurial development, Nigeria's most valuable bank brand, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has partnered the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nigeria (AES) to host the 7th AES Annual National Conference with the theme 'Nigeria: After Oil What Next?'
The Conference which is scheduled to hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos on May 11, 2016, beginning from 9:00am is a flagship event of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies (AES) and is aimed at building a strong and sustainable Nigerian economy via dialogue.
It will be a convergence of top and middle level government functionaries, captains of industry, experts, and representatives of labour unions, civil liberty organisation, students ' unions, academia, the diplomatic community and relevant stakeholders to brainstorm for the success of the Nigerian Project and provide practical solutions to identified problems ravaging Nigeria through the diversification of the economy. The Conference is part of activities organised by AES to entrench sustainable socio-economic, intellectual discourse, entrepreneurship and wealth creation in Nigeria for inclusive national growth.
According to the MD/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Subsidiaries, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, 'FirstBank supports initiatives that encourage the rapid diversification of the Nigerian economy from its current over-dependence on the oil and gas sector. As Nigeria's leading retail Bank, we are focused on promoting entrepreneurial development and empowering SMEs towards capacity building and development to contribute to the growth of our economy in providing employment to people, adding to our GDP and repositioning the national economy for sustained growth, he added.
FirstBank's Acting Head, Agric Finance, Mr. Mohammed Kagu is expected to lead the FirstBank delegation at the event.
First Bank of Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, is Nigeria's leading financial services institution by total assets and gross earnings and one of the largest corporate and retail banking financial institutions in sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa). Since its establishment in 1894, the Bank has consistently built relationships with customers focusing on fundamentals of good corporate governance, strong liquidity, risk management and strong capitalization.
FirstBank operates an extensive distribution network with over 750 business locations (623 branches, 61 quick service points and 69 cash centers/agencies), over 2,600 ATM's and over 10 million customer accounts. The Bank provides a comprehensive range of financial services and has international presence through its subsidiaries, FBN Bank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FBNBank DR Congo, FBNBank Ghana, FBNBank Gambia, FBNBank Guinea, FBNBank Sierra-Leone and FBNBank Senegal as well as its Representative Offices in Johannesburg, Beijing and Abu Dhabi.
FirstBank is the recipient of many awards. The Bank has been named 'The Best Bank Brand in Nigeria' five times in a row - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 - by the globally renowned 'The Banker Magazine' of the Financial Times Group. FirstBank's brand purpose is to always put its stakeholders, customers and partners at the heart of its business, even as it is poised to standardize customer experience and excellence in financial solutions across Sub Saharan Africa, in consonance with its brand vision 'To be the partner of first choice in building your future'. The brand promise is to always deliver the ultimate 'gold standard' of value and excellence. This commitment is anchored on the FirstBank's inherent values of passion, partnership and people, to position its customers first in every respect.
For three consecutive years, 2012, 2013 and 2014, FirstBank was named the 'Best Retail Bank in Nigeria' by the Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards. Other recent awards include the 'Best Bank in Nigeria' in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence, 'Best Bank in West Africa' and 'Most Innovative Bank in Africa' in the African Banker Awards, 'Best Bank in Nigeria' in the EMEA Finance African Banking Awards for the fourth time, 'Best Foreign Exchange Services in Africa' in the EMEA Finance Treasury Services Awards, 'Best Banking Group in Nigeria' by World Finance Banking Awards, and 'Best Financial Reporting Company' by Africa Investor.