Buhari Salutes Management of First Bank @ 125 Anniversary

President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday celebrated with First Bank of Nigeria Plc on its 125th anniversary, saluting the bank’s “vision and strength of character of the management in providing a voice for the Nigerian economy by rendering competitive financial services that have culminated in spread of branches across the country, Africa and Europe.”

The President, who

congratulated the bank on behalf of the Federal Executive Council, and Nigerians in general, said the bank’s pioneering operations “remarkably marked the commencement of banking in the country in 1894.”

Buhari joined the financial services industry, particularly the banking sector, in celebrating the purposefulness, prudence and propriety that has become the hallmark of the bank for more than a century and quarter. He lauded the bank’s Board, management and staff for upholding the vision of the founder, Alfred Lewis Jones.

“As the oldest bank in Nigeria, the President believes First Bank Nigeria Limited has lived up to the expectation of customers over the years, both private and public, necessitating its survival and continuous service as a formidable training ground for many Nigerian bankers and chief executives, who have also established banks and served the country as Governors of Central Bank of Nigeria,” Buhari said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

While celebrating the milestone and great achievements of First Bank Nigeria Limited, the President commended banks in the country for “generally supporting government policies in buoying the economy, especially with the renewed focus on infrastructural development and providing financial lifelines for businesses,” urging them “to always explore partnerships that will benefit the country and promote trust.”