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Flood Relief Efforts Strengthened as Committee of Banks in Nigeria Provides Essential Aid to Jigawa State

Published

11 hours ago

Dec 20, 2024.

The Committee of Banks in Nigeria demonstrated their solidarity and support for the victims of the recent flooding in Jigawa State with a visit to Dutse on Thursday.

Eko Hot Blog reports that during this visit, the committee, led by Chairman and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Dr. Oliver Alawuba, presented assorted relief materials to Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi.

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The donated items included essential food supplies such as bags of rice, cartons of vegetable cooking oil, mattresses, and beverages.

This contribution aims to provide some measure of relief to those impacted by the September 2024 natural disaster and serves as a testament to the commitment of the Committee of Banks in Nigeria to support the people of Jigawa State during these challenging times.

Other banks’ CEOs that were on the delegation included the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna;

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), Zenith Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji; and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO); Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.

In his remarks while presenting the relief materials, Dr. Alawuba stated that the gesture by the bankers was one of the ways to empathise with the government and people of Jigawa State, and importantly the residents who were severely impacted by the floods.

Flood Relief Efforts Strengthened as Committee of Banks in Nigeria Provides Essential Aid to Jigawa State

He added that the relief materials were targeted at boosting the current multi-stakeholder efforts to support the flood victims in getting back on their feet, as well as supporting critical institutions that provide care for the victims, especially public hospitals.

“I stand before you today as the Chairman of the Committee of Banks in Nigerian, to demonstrate our solidarity with the Government and good people of Jigawa State. Principally, we are in Jigawa State to empathize with the State Government, families, and relations of those who were severely impacted by the recent flooding that occurred across some local government areas of the state, in specifically in September this year.

We pray for the repose of souls that were lost in the devastating floods, as well as comfort for their families. We also pray for the recovery and restoration of those who lost properties and valuables during the floods,’’ he said.

Speaking further, Dr. Alawuba asserted: “We are here today to lend our hand of help to the State Government by donating relief materials worth several millions of Naira in support of the affected residents, and also critical institutions that provide care such as public hospitals.

We believe the 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.’’

The Chairman, Committee of Banks in Nigeria added that the humanitarian gesture was a testament to the Nigeria banking sector’s commitment to supporting the well-being of Nigerians in times of need.

“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 noted.

Dr. Alawuba stated that the gesture further affirmed the commitment of the Nigerian financial institutions to leading from the front as agents of positive change in society, while assuring that they would continue to work together to support those in need, promote economic growth and development, and to contribute to the well-being of our great nation.

He expressed gratitude to his colleague CEOs of Nigeria banks for their generosity and contribution to the relief effort. “Your support underscores our unrelenting passion for national development and care for the environment where we do our business,’’ he applauded.

Dr. Alawuba affirmed the long history of commitment of the Nigerian banking and financial institutions to the well-being of the Nigerian people and the environment, stating that the banking sector provided similar interventions to the victims of the 2011 flooding which affected 28 states and that of 2013 flooding which affected 32 states of the federation.

Other interventions by the financial institutions include corporate support for the management and containment of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, including funding support for public healthcare infrastructure, and access to credit for micro and small businesses to stay afloat in the post-pandemic era.

He said, “Notably, we were proud to be part of the Central Bank of Nigeria-led Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) Relief Fund, where we contributed significantly to the Fund’s effort.

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