Lagos State Governor on Tuesday said his administration will sustain deep mutually beneficial transformative relationships with financial institutions, particularly the First Bank of Nigeria, to meet the needs and yearnings of the citizens of Lagos.
He said the relationship Lagos State is creating with banks is to enhance and improve the quality of life for Lagos residents, as well as improve the socio-economic situation in the country.
Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke during a courtesy visit by the Executive Management of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, led by its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, at Lagos House Marina.
Sanwo-Olu, who congratulated Alebiosu on his new appointment as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, charged him to create value for shareholders and other stakeholders of the bank.
He said: “Part of the consequences of our position in Lagos State is that we are home to many people. And since we are the commercial, economic, and financial nerve centre of our country, there will always be a need for the Lagos State Government to be pulled here and there by different stakeholders.
“We have a special space for First Bank because we have identified relationships that have been mutually beneficial. We have had banking relationships over the years, and both the state government and your institution have seen value created. We have seen extreme economic movement.
“We are building deep, mutually beneficial, transformative relationships. We will continue to nurture the relationship. We will continue to give it its rightful place, and we will continue to ensure that, as fair as we can be, First Bank truly receives a decent amount of our business.
“We have enjoyed a very cordial and forward-looking relationship with First Bank, and we believe that during your (Alebiosu) tenure, the relationship will be further enhanced and improved upon.”
Speaking earlier, Alebiosu said First Bank of Nigeria Limited is ready to partner with the Lagos State Government on infrastructural development.
He said: “Power infrastructure is important, and we know what happens in Lagos is what everybody in Nigeria copies. So, we look forward to the framework that the Lagos State Government will set up.
“We are sure that there are so many people in Lagos who want to provide power. Even if Lagos is not setting up any one on its own, we are sure that there are many private investors that will set up massive power projects that will fit into Lagos, and the cost of production will drop.
“We believe with that, there would be more employment, tax revenue, and many other things. We believe that not only Lagos State but the entire Nigeria will benefit from those projects.
“There are many special projects the Lagos State Government is doing, and First Bank will continue to support the Lagos State Government to develop the projects.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
2 JULY 2024