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The SPARK of kindness that is impacting communities through FirstBank staff initiatives

Published

3 years ago

March 21, 2022

Have you seen the videos on this link: https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/home/impact/crs-week/? Piece of advice: Please hold your handkerchief or make sure there is a good supply of tissue paper while you view.

The initiative that inspired the efforts and results seen in the videos is not a strange one but it has a way of surprisingly leaving people teary-eyed. Viewers tear up as they get to see the positive difference it has made in the lives of ordinary people in communities across Nigeria.

Many people across the country are familiar with SPARK – Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness – an initiative by First Bank of Nigeria Limited, West Africa’s premier banking institution with its impact woven into the fabric of society. SPARK was initiated to spread the message of kindness and inspire people to adopt kindness as a way of life. What many may not know is how much of a kindness revolution the initiative has birthed within FirstBank itself.

What started out in 2017 as a simple effort to reignite acts of kindness in the society through events that could help to reorient people towards the right values, has turned FirstBank itself into a massive kindness enterprise. The management and staff have become part of a giant machinery that constantly generates kindness. Staff of FirstBank are involved in several initiatives informed by their kind heart and disposition. A number of staff run private charities on the side, that help the underprivileged. A number are deeply involved in private charities run by other people. And every staff, by department or directorate, is involved in collective endeavours to make a positive difference with their touch of kindness in poor and challenged communities around them.

Tagged “SPARK Amplification”, the collective endeavours involve each department or directorate within the bank and its staff using an assigned month in the year to collectively identify and fund an impactful project in a challenged community. Executed as an internal initiative under the banner of SPARK, itself a part of the bank’s impactful Employee Volunteering and Giving programme, SPARK Amplification seeks to expand and deepen FirstBank’s involvement in its stakeholders’ communities through integration and institutionalisation of acts of random kindness.

In 2021, at least seven groups, comprising departments and directorates, took turns (in their assigned months) to fund and execute projects of their choice. The bank did not determine or contribute to support any of the projects. Each project was fully funded by the staff of the executing group, and each involved engagement through departmental champions. The projects ranged from visits and donations to the underprivileged, to business support, educational support and construction. In terms of impact or the difference made by the departmental projects, the reactions of the direct beneficiaries speak volumes.

They are only children. So, one must forgive the occupants of Treasure Care Home, Port-Harcourt Children Home and Atunda-Olu School for Physically Challenged in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos respectively, if their best attempt at defining the word “corporate” is no more than a mere description of the men and women of the Corporate Banking Group of FirstBank. Even adults may struggle to do any better when totally overwhelmed by the visits and donations of teams of august visitors from the directorate who came calling in August 2021.

The staff of FirstBank’s Corporate Banking directorate, rather than allowing for unnecessary individualistic efforts and brilliance, aggregated all efforts and thus demonstrated that they understood the multiplied power and impact of corporate efforts. The result was the overflow of food items and other provisions delivered in Abuja and Port Harcourt, and in Lagos, water closets, empowerment training tools, food items and toiletries donated to the physically challenged children.

Even the 356 children in 16 orphanages and a hospice located in 11 cities across the country visited by the E-Business and Retail Products directorate could make a similar mistake if asked to define the concept of e-business. So, there should be a readiness to extend the same forgiveness to them. They were completely overwhelmed by the donation of back-to-school supplies and food items by the directorate. To create a deeper connection, men of the directorate cooked for the children in October 2021.

Demonstrating their full awareness of risks, especially security risks, the staff of the Risk Management directorate elected to construct a perimeter fence and security gate at St. Peters African Church Schools (I and II) in Oke-Aro, Ifo, Ogun State. November 2021 was the month that witnessed this intervention to mitigate against a serious security risk.

December 2021 was the month of the learned minds manning the bank’s Legal Services department. And as expected, they did not disappoint. Knowing the power of education to elevate the mind, to inform and correct, our learned friends channelled their efforts towards visiting the Ikoyi Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service, in Lagos, to donate educational materials, tables, chairs and fans to support education of the inmates.

Earlier in 2021, May precisely, staff of the Marketing and Corporate Communications department had donated SPARK-branded umbrellas, tables, chairs and cash in support of small businesses. These small businesses were being run by petty traders around FirstBank head office (Samuel Asabia House) and an annex (Elephant House) in Lagos Island.

Staff of the Compliance department of the bank had chosen educational support as their project. The beneficiaries were students of Gbara Community Secondary School, Jakande, Lagos State. The students received mathematics and English language textbooks – the two compulsory subjects. This intervention was in June 2021. And in September 2021, staff of the Human Capital and Management Development department (HCMD) stormed the Makoko community in Lagos. Widows and aged women were the target. They received a large donation of food items and toiletries from the HCMD team.

The multi-million-naira projects by members of staff of the seven executing directorates and departments saw the staff committing about 10,000 volunteering hours, which value cannot be quantified in monetary terms. The projects directly impacted about 4,500 people across Nigeria’s 6 geopolitical regions. Many more thousands were indirectly impacted by the projects.

While the bank maintains its stance of not contributing to support any of the departmental efforts, it understands the need to spur staff to continue to champion and pursue worthy causes. So, the CEO’s Office matches the value from the directorate with the highest contributions. The November 2021 efforts of the staff of the Risk Management directorate put them in pole position to receive the matching grant, which the directorate will expend in execution of another project in this new year.

Demonstrating a true heart of service to humanity, the executive leadership of all the implementing directorates joined their team members to volunteer in the schools and homes visited.

And as the euphoria of the new year wanes and people begin serious efforts to make a success of 2022, staff of FirstBank are already raring to go. They kick off new rounds of implementing, by department, self-determined and -funded initiatives in underprivileged communities around them.

The Finance directorate will seek to set the tone for other directorates or departments as its staff embark on their own project this February. Technology and Services department will follow in March and give way to Corporate Transformation in April. May will see Customer Experience and Value Management (CEVM) in action.

Staff of Retail and Commercial Banking (Lagos and West) will take their turn in June ahead of Retail and Commercial Banking (North) in July. Then in August, the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) Week will hold. This is a full week of community-impacting activities funded by the Bank.

Departmental interventions will resume in September with Retail and Commercial Banking (South), followed closely by Internal Audit in October. Staff of Public Sector Group will take over in November while staff of Treasury and Financial Institutions will seek to close the year on a high when they execute their project in December.

The line-up of First Bank directorates/departments set to take turns in 2022 to execute their own initiated and funded projects looks really promising. Benefitting communities in 2022 are likely to see more robust engagement by FirstBank departmental staff and more impactful projects. For anyone wondering what this could mean, they should endeavour to multiply by any figure above 1 (one) the visible impact of the projects they see in the videos on this link https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/home/impact/crs-week/.
They will not see any project in 2022, when the kindness revolution is set to go notches higher, that is less impactful than its 2021 version.

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Fidelity Bank Named “Nigeria’s Best Private Bank” at Euromoney Awards

Published

8 hours ago

April 17, 2025

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Tier one bank, Fidelity Bank PLC, has been named “Nigeria’s Best Private Bank” at the prestigious Euromoney Awards 2025. The recognition was formally unveiled at the awards ceremony held recently at The Savoy in London.

The Euromoney Awards for Excellence are prestigious annual honors and a benchmark for excellence in the global banking and finance industry. Established by Euromoney magazine, the awards highlight outstanding performance, innovation, leadership, and service excellence across various financial sectors and regions.

Commenting on the award, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank PLC, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe said, “We are truly honored to be recognized by Euromoney as Nigeria’s Best Private Bank. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff as well as our strong commitment to delivering premium wealth management solutions, personalized financial advisory, and superior client service to high-net-worth individuals in Nigeria and beyond.”

The Euromoney Awards are among the most highly respected in the global financial industry. Winning such an award for its private banking business further builds on Fidelity Bank’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most trusted and customer-centric financial institutions.

According to a statement on Euromoney’s website, “The bank’s commitment to providing specialised credit solutions also sets it apart. Clients benefit from tailored lending options, including asset-backed lending, real estate financing, and customised credit facilities. These solutions are structured to support complex financial needs while ensuring flexibility and ease.”

Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 9.1 million customers who are serviced across its 251 business offices and various digital banking channels in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

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Access Holdings Records 88% Growth in Gross Earnings to N4.878 Trillion

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2025

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Access Holdings PLC (“the Group”) (Bloomberg: ACCESSCO), a leading African financial services group, today, announced its audited financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2024. The Group delivered 88% year-on-year growth in gross earnings, rising from N2.594 trillion in 2023 to N4.878 trillion in 2024. The strong performance was driven by diversified income streams, with interest income growing by 110% to N3.480 trillion and non-interest income increasing by 47.8% to N1.397 trillion, supported by robust retail banking activities, digital expansion, and a dynamic trading strategy.Profit before tax (PBT) increased by 19% to N867.0 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) rose to N642.2 billion, despite inflationary and macroeconomic challenges. Total assets grew by 55.5% to N41.498 trillion, and customer deposits rose by 47% to N22.525 trillion. Shareholders’ funds also increased by 72%, reaching N3.760 trillion.In 2024, the Group made significant social and environmental impact across the continent, touching millions of lives and earning multiple industry accolades. Through various corporate social investment initiatives in education, entrepreneurship, health, and the environment, the Group reached over 21 million individuals across Africa. Its employee wellness programmes also covered 28,000 staff across operating entities. Access Bank, the flagship subsidiary, through its W-Initiative, disbursed loans to over a million women-led SMEs, advancing financial inclusion and gender empowerment.The Group’s efforts attracted prestigious recognition and awards, including three Euromoney Awards for Excellence (notably ‘Best Bank for ESG’); International Finance Award for ‘Most Innovative Bank for Community Development and Community Engagement’; and World Economic Magazine Award for ‘Most Sustainable Bank’.In terms of economic sustainability, Access Bank recorded strong strides through its Economic, Social and Governance (ESG) programmes. It facilitated $437.42 million in DFI inflows to support MSMEs across Africa, disbursed 1.6 million digital loans to low-income individuals, and booked its first N1.4 billion diaspora mortgage loan.The Group also achieved a 13.4% reduction in operational emissions, planted 57,302 trees, and enabled solar power adoption for 226 homes and businesses. Its headquarters was awarded the IFC EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Green Building Certification for sustainable design and construction
standards.In addition, Access employees contributed 228,500 volunteer hours to various community development programmes, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to inclusive and purpose-driven impact.The Group is focused on delivering sustainable returns to shareholders, while reinvesting in innovation, infrastructure, and cross-border expansion. Its banking subsidiary launched operations in Hong Kong, received regulatory approval in Malta, and successfully integrated its operations in Zambia and Tanzania, expanding its global footprint.Access Bank posted significant gains across all performance metrics, with interest income growing by 110% and fees and commissions rising by 81%. International subsidiaries contributed 48.5% to the banking segment’s PBT, demonstrating strong execution across key markets.In 2024, Access Holdings also became the first institution to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation directive, raising 351 billion through a rights issue. The₦ proceeds are being strategically deployed to strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance liquidity, and fuel long-term growth.Looking ahead, Access Holdings remains committed to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and profitable future, delivering delivering value not just to shareholders, but to society and the environment at large.

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JIM OVIA ADMITTED TO THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON

Published

1 week ago

April 10, 2025

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L-R: Chairman, Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR; His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON; Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Governor of Delta State, Rt.Hon. (Elder) Sherrif Oborevwori, during the admission of Jim Ovia to the Freedom of the City of London in the United Kingdom, on Monday.
The Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, has been admitted to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London in a distinguished ceremony which held at the Mansion House, City of London on Monday, April 7, 2025. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Mr. Ovia’s exceptional contributions to the global financial landscape, unwavering commitment to fostering economic development, and dedication to philanthropic endeavours that have positively impacted countless lives.The Freedom of the City of London, a time-honoured tradition dating back to the 13th century, is one of the oldest surviving ceremonies in the United Kingdom. Historically, it granted freemen certain rights and privileges within the city. Today, it stands as a symbolic recognition of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to London or the wider society. This honour places Mr. Ovia among a distinguished group of recipients, which includes notable figures from various fields such as Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Sir Winston Churchill, Desmond Tutu, Harry Kane, Morgan Freeman and Ian Wright.Commenting on his new status as a Freeman of the City of London, the distinguished honoree, Jim Ovia, CFR said “It is indeed a great honour to be admitted to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London. This is not just a recognition of my personal achievements, but also a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire Zenith team who have worked diligently to establish our institution as a leading force in global finance. I am proud to be part of a legacy that celebrates innovation, excellence and the spirit of entrepreneurship. I dedicate this to the people of Nigeria and Africa who continue to inspire me with their resilience and determination. I look forward to continuing to play a role in shaping the economic landscape of our great continent and beyond.”Joining the nation in congratulating Mr. Ovia, President Bola Tinubu, through a press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commended Mr. Ovia for being a distinguished ambassador of the nation’s private sector. He described the honour as a fitting recognition of his exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world. According to him, “This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations. As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise”.Dignitaries at the ceremony include Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu; Governor of Delta State, Rt.Hon. (Elder) Sherrif Oborevwori; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON; Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Oba of Oniru, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal; Group Managing Director, TGI Group of Companies, Rahul Savara; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, CFR, and His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who joined Zenith Bank Executives in celebrating this significant milestone.This well-deserved recognition rides on the back of many other prestigious awards that Mr. Ovia has received for his outstanding contributions to banking, education and philanthropy including conferment of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) & National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award in 2022 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. He was also named the Banker of the Year in 2007 and Titan of the year in 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper, and received the African Business Leader Award from the Africa-America Institute. He received honorary degrees from the University of Lagos as well as from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and was recognized by Forbes Africa as one of the most influential figures in banking.