Bank CEOs pay solidarity visit to Jigawa, donates multimillion relief materials to flood victims
In a rare show of solidarity at this trying times, Committee of Banks in Nigeria on Thursday visited Jigawa state to lend supporting hands to the government and victims of the recent flooding in some parts of the state.
The donation of the relief materials comprising food items, including bags of rice, cartons of vegetable cooking oil, mattresses, and beverages were presented to the Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar A. Namadi, by a high-powered delegation of the Committee of Banks in Nigeria led by their Chairman and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Dr. Oliver Alawuba.
Other banks’ CEOs that were on the delegation included the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), Zenith Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji; and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO); Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.
In his remarks while presenting the relief materials, Dr. Alawuba stated that the gesture by the bankers was one of the ways to empathise with the government and people of Jigawa State, and importantly the residents who were severely impacted by the floods. He added that the relief materials were targeted at boosting the current multi-stakeholder efforts to support the flood victims in getting back on their feet, as well as supporting critical institutions that provide care for the victims, especially public hospitals.
“I stand before you today as the Chairman of the Committee of Banks in Nigerian, to demonstrate our solidarity with the Government and good people of Jigawa State. Principally, we are in Jigawa State to empathize with the State Government, families, and relations of those who were severely impacted by the recent flooding that occurred across some local government areas of the state, in specifically in September this year. We pray for the repose of souls that were lost in the devastating floods, as well as comfort for their families. We also pray for the recovery and restoration of those who lost properties and valuables during the floods,’’ he said.
Alawuba noted further: “We are here today to lend our hand of help to the State Government by donating relief materials worth Fifty Million Naira (N50 Million) in support of the affected residents, and also critical institutions that provide care such as public hospitals. We believe the relief materials consisting of food items such as; bags of rice, cartons of vegetable cooking oil, mattresses, and beverages would go a long way in providing comfort and lessen the burden of the victims impacted by the floods. I am glad to announce that we just donated relief materials to the victims of flooding in Borno State (In case we go to Borno first).
This humanitarian gesture is a testament to the Nigeria banking sector’s commitment to supporting the well-being of Nigerians in times of need. As bankers, we are not just concerned about the economic implications of natural
disasters; we are also deeply troubled by the human suffering that accompanies them. We believe that it is our collective responsibility to support those affected and help them rebuild their lives.”
The Chairman, Committee of Banks in Nigeria added that the humanitarian gesture was a testament to the Nigeria banking sector’s commitment to supporting the well-being of Nigerians in times of need. “As bankers, we are not just concerned about the economic implications of natural disasters; we are also deeply troubled by the human suffering that accompanies them. We believe that it is our collective responsibility to support those affected and help them rebuild their lives,’’ he noted.
Responding, Governor Namadi thanked the Committee of Banks in Nigeria for their humanitarian gesture, describing it as a rare demonstration of love, care and empathy for humanity. He said he was particularly touched receiving such a high number of bank chiefs leaving their offices to come and show solidarity to the families and individuals affected by the flood.
“Never did we imagine four MDs of BIG Banks in Nigeria will visit our state on behalf of their colleagues to emphatise with us
“On behalf of the government and people of Jigawa State, I want to most sincerely thank you for this visit. Certainly, what you have done today has demonstrated a good sign of love, care and maturity because, I don’t think it has ever happened like this, for four managing directors of the big Nigerian banks leaving their offices and come and sympathise with us on the incident that happened to us; that has shown the serious sign of love, care and maturity,’’ the Governor said.
