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By Nasir Kura
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated First Bank Nigeria Limited on its 125th anniversary, which historically and remarkably marked the commencement of banking in the country in 1894.
The president 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, while congratulating the board, management and staff for upholding the vision of the founder, Alfred Lewis Jones.
He also commended the 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.
As the oldest bank in Nigeria, the president said he believes that 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 the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
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.
He urged management of the banks to always explore partnerships that would benefit the country and promote trust.
