Women Play Crucial Roles in FirstBank Success Story, 129-Year Heritage – Adeduntan
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr Adesola Adeduntan has said female employees of the pioneer bank in Nigeria contributed significantly to the growth trajectory and success story of the organisation in its 129 years history in the country.
The CEO added that women remain actively involved at the very top level of the financial institution and are amply represented across its hierarchy grades including Executive, General Manager, Deputy General Manager and others.
THECONSCIENCEng reports that Dr Adeduntan noted that the nation’s leading financial inclusion services provider was also looking forward to the day it will have its first female Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.
The bank boss disclosed these while speaking at the First Women Network (FWN) event organised to commemorate the International women’s day IWD 2023 in Lagos on Wednesday 8 March 2023.
“As an organisation, we are very proud of our female employees who have contributed so much to the success story of our brand. They have done so well and we have not been disappointed.
“FirstBank has dedicated March 2023 as a month set aside to celebrate female and all their remarkable achievements over the years which include their leadership roles and pace-setting standards in Science Technology Entrepreneurship, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), ” he stated.
He said FirstBank has a ratio of about 39 per cent to 61 per cent female to male employees while 32 per cent women are in management driving a deliberate policy consistent with the WEPs – Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Non-discrimination.
Adeduntan who serves as the chairman of FWN revealed that the bank created the First Women Network in 2018 as a platform for female employees in the company to rally and assist one another to be their best, and maximise their potentials through mentorship, learning sessions and other engagements.
The initiative seeks to also address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation.
Its six pillars include Career Management; Program, events and networking opportunities, and Personal Branding. others are Mentoring, Coaching and Sponsorship; Support and Welfare as well as Financial Planning and Empowerment.
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Themed “Embrace Equity”, the colourful FWN event had many creative and interactive engagements including painting competition, photo booths and others which got attendees excited and full of commendations.
Former President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Andrew Alli who was a guest speaker at the event shared insights on the dynamic roles of technology as an enabler for the modern world and how female can further leverage evolving opportunities.
Alli noted that women remain under represented in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) space and encouraged them to explore the essentials deeply and embrace more opportunities.
Earlier, First bank held its First Women Network (FWN) Mentoring, Coaching and Sponsorship Pillar Webinar on Friday, 3 March 2023. The session ranks amongst other key activities lined up to celebrate the female gender in March.
