Enhancement of education sector, our priority - Union Bank

Stories by Akin Adewakun, Lagos

Barth Ebong, MD, Union Bank

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, recently demon-strated its commitment to the development of education in the nation’s tertiary institutions when it formally laid the foundation of a 1,500 sitting capacity audito-rium for the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Ondo State, to enhance teaching and learning in the institution.

The Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr Barth Ebong, who laid the foundation for the project during the University’s 19th convocation ceremony recently, stated that Union bank placed a high premium on corporate social responsibility as it affects the education sector.

He stressed that the Bank was committed in many ways to the growth of education in the country and added that the gesture to FUTA was part of the bank’s continuous contribution towards reviving and rejuvenating the education sector to ensure that it contributed meaningfully to the process of economic growth and technological development. Dr Ebong also highlighted the various contributions of the Bank to the education sector including endowment of professorial chairs in some universities and donation of computers to institutions of higher learning across the nation, among others and assured that Union Bank would continue to support the sector as part of its resolve to enhance capacity building.

The Union Bank boss was one of the two eminent Nigerians conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by FUTA in appreciation of his sterling leadership and modest contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria and humanity. In a citation read on the occasion of his presentation for the award of Doctor of Management Technology (Honoris Causa), Dr Ebong was described as a man of vision and mission, a sagacious administrator and profound achiever, and an apostle of the rejuvenation of the education sector of Nigeria, highly committed to human capacity devel-opment.

Later, at a reception in his honour, Dr Ebong enthused that FUTA was recognising a family that worked as a team, with him as a team leader. He acknowledged the support of the directors, especially members of the executive management, saying together they had built a formidable team that was working so hard to move the Bank to greater heights.

Earlier in a toast, Dr Kenneth Adeyemi, Executive Director (IT & Services) had described Ebong as a diligent worker whose knack for details was legendary and in tune with his passion for total commitment to strengthening the Union Bank to the greater heights. The Chairman, Prof. Musa Yakubu (SAN) and other members of the Board, top management staff and valued customers/shareholders, among many other dignitaries, witnessed the conferment of the honorary doctorate degree on Dr Ebong and also, attended the reception.

ETB embarks on MoneyGram promo

Determined to reward her MoneyGram International money transfer customers for their loyalty and patronage over the years, Equitorial Trust Bank has flagged off its Moneygram Season’s Instant Thrill promo.

This, according to a statement issued by the bank, was ‘to ensure that the bank’s numerous customers end the year on a high note by splashing them high quality gifts.’

The promo, which commenced on Monday December 10, 2007, according to the statement, would last for two months in order to accommodate teeming customers of the bank that would receive money through Money-Gram during this period.

Items to be won in the promo, according to the bank, include motorcycles, generators, MP3 players, traveling bags, t-shirts, umbrellas, thermo mugs and others. Speaking on the development, the bank’s Group Head, Treasury & Investment Banking, Ms. Mojisola Bakare, explained that apart from using the promo as a way of rewarding customers for their loyalty over the years, it is also meant to identify with MoneyGram International as it celebrates its ten years of successful business operations in the country.

She explained that the decision to embark on the MoneyGram promo confirmed the symbiotic relationship that existed between MoneyGram International and the bank. The bank, according to her, would continue to identify with MoneyGram activities and consolidate its stronghold in international money transfer. The bank, she assured, would not deviate from its vision to remain the undisputed leader in the provision of top quality services to its customers as well as to streng then the equity of the MoneyGram brand in Nigeria.

Ms Bakare also said “that this promo tagged season’s Instant Thrill is unique in nature. It is a 3-in-1 promo because it is coming at a season of Eid Kabir, Christmas and the New Year.”

The management of the bank strategically chose this unique season to reward the loyal customers of MoneyGram who have contributed so much to the phenomenal growth of the product by the bank.

The promo is an attestation of the bank’s appreciation of the unfettered loyalty of her numerous customers. Moreover, the bank is expanding dedicated MoneyGram Red shop locations in key cities in order to treat, service, and receive her ever increasing customers in a world class ambience.