The Chief Executive Officer, First Bank Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, has expressed the preparedness of the bank to support the Rotary Club of Lagos in its quest to upscale basic education and literacy by supporting the provision of school libraries with N5, 000,000.
Adeduntan, who this disclosed recently in Lagos, during the installation ceremony of Mr. Babawale Agbeyangi, as the 61st President of Rotary Club of Lagos and Commencement of Humanitarian Projects for the year 2021-2022, said the support was in line with the bank’s sustainability drive to improve reading habits in students and further increase the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy.
He also stated that the support would boost the mutually beneficial partnership between the bank and Rotary International.
“It would help actualise our mutual objectives of growing our people, minimising negative environmental impacts, and investing in the communities in which we operate,” he added.
He further explained that the bank is committed to the sustainability of the communities in which they operate, adding that its corporate responsibility and sustainability pillars are hinged on education, health, welfare, financial inclusion, responsible lending and procurement.
According to him, “In 2019, the bank was recognised with the ‘Outstanding Invaluable Company Award’ by The Rotary International.
“The recognition stems from the bank’s impactful corporate social responsibility projects in the areas of education, health, economic and youth empowerment, infrastructure, and environment, amongst others, which Rotary considers invaluable in the service to humanity. We thank you again for this honour. We are deeply committed to supporting the education sector.”
He said at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, FirstBank strengthened the sector to recover by launching an e-learning initiative aimed at moving one million students across the nation to e-learning. “We also supported public school students in Lagos State with 20,000 mobile devices loaded with educational curriculum to keep them engaged during the lockdown.
“I believe that this support will boost the mutually beneficial partnership between the bank and Rotary International, as well as help, actualise our mutual objectives of growing our people, minimising negative environmental impacts, and investing in the communities in which we operate.
“We are gathered here this evening to install a Team of committed Nigerians who will yet again raise the banner of kindness in giving back to the society. I want to urge us to ensure we SPARK our communities in every area of felt needs. For us at FirstBank, SPARK is an acronym for ‘Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness.’ Rotary International epitomizes kindness, and of this, we are proud to affiliate with you. As we all work relentlessly to improve the socio-economic standing of Nigeria amongst the comity of nations, I want to urge us to always inspire kindness in every little way possible.”
