Banks donate relief materials to flood victims

Nigerian banks have donated relief materials to victims of the recent flood in Jigawa State under the auspices of the Committee of Nigeria Banks Chief Executive Officers.

According to a statement from the organisation on Thursday, a delegation of the chief executives of the banks visited Jigawa State to empathise with the residents and government and provide assurances of continuing support.

The delegation included the Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa and Chairman of the Committee, Dr Oliver Alawuba; Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna; Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Adaora Umeoji; and Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.

Also on the entourage were the President of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks, Mr Rasheed Bolarinwa, and Registrar and Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Mr. Akin Morakinyo.

Alawuba, who spoke on behalf of the banks, said the banks were in Jigawa State to lend helping hands to the state government by donating relief materials in support of the affected residents and also critical institutions that provide care, such as public hospitals.

He noted that the multi-million naira 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.

He said, “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 recalled that banks had continuously shown support for national interests, citing the previous donations for victims of national disasters and more than N32bn galvanised for national healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Nigerian banking industry has a long history of interventions, dating back to the 2011 and 2013 flooding when 28 and 32 states were affected by floods. In trying moments, we provided significant support to the affected states and communities,” he said.

Alawuba highlighted the contributions of the banking industry during the COVID-19 pandemic to society and businesses.

He added that Nigerian banks have also always been at the forefront of many other laudable initiatives across both economic and non-economic sectors, particularly in the area of security.

Alawuba reaffirmed banks’ commitment to continue to lead from the front as agents of positive change in society.

“We will continue to work together to support those in need, promote economic growth and development, and contribute to the well-being of our great nation,” Alawuba assured.

He commended banks that generously contributed to the relief efforts, noting that their support underscores banks’ unrelenting passion for national development and care for the environment where they do their businesses.

“As industry leaders and key stakeholders, it is our conviction that, through our collective efforts and actions, we can make a big difference together and in our individual space. And this is what we, as the Committee of Nigeria Banks CEOs, have affirmed again here today. Indeed, together, we can rebuild our Nigeria into a prosperous nation that works for all,” Alawuba said.

Governor of Jigawa State,  Umar Namadi, who received the banks’ chief executives, commended banks for their developmental roles through direct finances and several corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Namadi said, “Never did we imagine four MDs of big banks in Nigeria would visit our state on behalf of their colleagues to empathise with us.”

He said the government would continue to work together with the banks for Nigeria’s progress.

He specifically noted the support of banks to Jigawa State, pointing out that at one time or the other, many banks in Nigeria have helped the government of Jigawa.

He assured that the relief materials would be evenly distributed to the people they are meant for while calling for continuing efforts across the public and private sectors to improve the well-being of the people.

“As you rightly noted, the flood victims have suffered enough in a period but with institutions like Nigerian banks, they know they have hope. We do not take this gesture for granted.  We pray to God to replenish the purse of Nigerian banks for their generosity to the people of the state,” Namadi said.