President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday laid the muse for the brand new eco-friendly headquarters of the FirstBank Group in Eko Atlantic Metropolis, which he stated symbolises Nigeria’s ambition and progress.
Tinubu additionally vowed to create the enabling setting for banks to excel and develop past the shores of Nigeria.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this statement on the groundbreaking ceremony for the eco-friendly headquarters of the corporate.
The financial institution has revealed that the constructing is a 40-story edifice set to be the tallest constructing in Nigeria and an engineering and environmental delight on account of its technologically superior, eco-friendly, and complicated development, which might set a brand new customary for the monetary companies sector in Africa.
Shettima stated, “Right now we lay the muse for a monumental construction in Nigeria’s monetary panorama, the First Financial institution iconic tower, a logo of our nation’s progress and ambition. This tower will stand as a testomony to our financial energy and vitality. The tower, which would be the tallest constructing in West Africa at 40 tales upon completion, is a logo of confidence in our nation’s future. For 130 years, FirstBank has been a pillar of our financial system, empowering companies, supporting households, and driving monetary innovation. FirstBank has prolonged its attain from Lagos to London and throughout main monetary centres worldwide, proudly flying Nigeria’s flag on the worldwide stage.
“This tower will symbolise ambition and excellence in Eko Atlantic, an funding that consolidates Lagos as a number one monetary hub and showcases the dynamism of Nigeria’s personal sector.”
He additionally hailed the Chagoury Group, the brains behind the Eko Atlantic Metropolis.
“As president, I reaffirm our unwavering dedication to fostering an setting the place vital funding and transformative tasks like this will thrive by way of daring financial reforms, strategic public-private partnerships, and infrastructure improvement. We’re guaranteeing that Nigeria as soon as once more turns into the highest vacation spot for funding.
“Past the size of this challenge, we should keep in mind that the individuals are what made FirstBank iconic. FirstBank’s buyer base displays the guts of Nigeria itself. Hundreds of thousands of women and men and youngsters, small companies, and MSMEs are the very backbones of our financial system. FirstBank has woven itself into the social cloth of the nation. It’s a financial institution that has labored hand in hand with generations of Nigerians, driving financial progress. The symbolism of the elephant in its company identification speaks to our nation’s character. Elephants are sturdy, resilient, sensible, and nurturing, carrying the knowledge of generations as they lead their herds. FirstBank embodies this spirit. Standing agency however shifting ahead with imaginative and prescient, agility, and a deep dedication to Nigeria’s prosperity. I commend FirstCo Holdings and all its stakeholders who, with their imaginative and prescient, have made this doable. We’re not simply beginning a constructing; we’re starting an image the place Nigeria leads, prospers, and conjures up. Might this tower, like FirstBank, stay a monument of shared prosperity in our land,” he asserted.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, throughout his goodwill message, offered the certificates of approval to the financial institution for it to begin development instantly.
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He stated, “First Financial institution, as regular, has led the way in which. I wish to thank the visionaries who created a brand new metropolis that shall be Africa’s mannequin metropolis that each one of us shall be happy with. Mr. Femi Otedola, effectively executed, effectively executed to your board, effectively executed to your administration, and CBN Governor, thanks for the approval. We would like you to present different monetary establishments approval as effectively. There’s house for them as effectively.
“I’m going at hand over a certificates of approval for them to begin work instantly.”
The Chief Govt Officer of FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, in his welcome handle, stated, “The groundbreaking ceremony is a momentous event for us to redefine our dedication to place solidly because the financial institution for the long run. Subsequently, this new headquarters is not only a few fashionable architectural masterpiece; it’s reimagining banking for generations but unborn. It can function a hub for monetary innovation, digital transformation, and operational excellence, guaranteeing that FirstBank stays forward in an period the place know-how is reshaping actions.
“Located within the coronary heart of Eko Atlantic Metropolis, the enduring FirstBank headquarters advanced, a 43-story edifice, will change into the tallest constructing in Nigeria upon its completion.”
The chairman of the dad or mum firm, FirstHoldCo, Femi Otedola, in his feedback, appreciated the gathering and stakeholders who made the imaginative and prescient whereas promising the financial institution’s clients monetary improvements.
He stated, “The groundbreaking ceremony represents a major milestone within the historical past of FirstBank since its inception. Grateful to the president for his assist and the vice chairman, who, regardless of his tight schedule, made it to the occasion. I recognize Governor Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering assist and, most significantly, for making a conducive setting for enterprise and investments.
“I recognize the CBN for its efforts in sustaining the soundness of the Nigerian monetary companies trade. I commend the Chagoury Group for his or her dedication to the infrastructural progress of the Nigerian financial system. Worthy of be aware is that Chagoury has all the time been an inspiration and enterprise mannequin to me. I’ve personally felt that the creation of Eko Atlantic Metropolis is the ninth marvel of the world, coming after the eighth marvel, which is the Dangote Petrochemical Metropolis. These two wonders proceed to reaffirm that Nigeria is certainly an important nation.
“To our clients and stakeholders of the financial institution, we should consistently be reminded that FirstBank is and can proceed to be a legacy to behold. We will proceed to spend money on cutting-edge know-how, vibrant human capital, strategic partnerships, and customer-centric innovation that can outline banking globally at the same time as we element our footprint throughout Nigeria, Africa, and the world. Thanks all for being part of our wealthy heritage as we unveil this iconic constructing that can function the engine room of the financial institution’s subsequent section of dominance within the monetary companies sector and efforts to contribute our quota to the monetary inclusion.”
The bottom-breaking ceremony was attended by the governors of Ogun and Ondo States, Dapo Abiodun and Fortunate Aiyedatiwa; the founding father of the Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote; the co-founders of the Chagoury Group, Gilbert and Roland Chagoury; Chairman of Pacific Holdings, Dr. Deji Adeleke; Tunde Folawiyo; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Delta State governor, James Ibori; and the governor of the Central Financial institution of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, who has represented the Deputy Governor, Monetary System Stability Directorate, Philip Ikeazor. The Deputy Governor, Company Providers Directorate, Ms. Emem Usoro, was additionally current amongst different dignitaries.
With a legacy spanning over 130 years, FirstBank has constantly demonstrated its dedication to innovation, customer-centricity, and sustainable enterprise practices. The financial institution has a sturdy worldwide presence, working subsidiaries in 9 international locations throughout three continents.
