By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
FINCA Microfinance Bank Ltd has lighted up Owerri, the Imo State Capital and it environs with its 10 years anniversary, stiring delight among the residents. The bank recounted its humble beginnings of operations in the country in 2014 and the milestones recorded by the financial institution a decade after. This was as the bank used the opportunity to reward excellence, hard work and dedication by honouring deserving members of staff with various awards.
The event which took place on Wednesday, December 4, at the Rockview Hotels, Owerri, drew in large participants, while providing the bank the opportunity for stock taking, repositioning for the future, as well as an avenue for relaxation, recreation and sharing of values and ideas of mutual benefits among workers. It was all fun, excitement, rejuvenation and rededication towards actualizing the goals of the bank.
In his address, the Managing Director/CEO of the bank, Mr. Kingsley Ukoh, while expressing joy, described the ten years anniversary of the bank as amazing. He posited that the bank was able to record remarkable progress because of the commitments of its workers to the objectives of the bank as well as the trust and loyalty from its numerous customers as he expressed pride in the noble place of FINCA Bank in the financial services sector.
The CEO, who also interacted with journalists at the sidelines observed: “It has been an amazing 10 years, beautiful and made possible by our team of fantastic staff and loyal customers. The past 10 years has been impactful in meeting customers’ expectations in Imo State and Nigeria at large,” Mr. Ukoh, stated, while appreciating the fruitful collaboration between the bank and other financial institutions in driving growth and progress in the country.
He disclosed that FINCA Microfinance Bank as an international brand with footprints in several countries, has always operated with the special drive that focuses on customers in the rural areas; the undeserved customers and those without banking activities, adding that the aim was to secure financial inclusion for them, while assisting them in meeting their basic needs. Mr. Ukoh enthused: “Our customers are defined and we know them,” as he solicited renewed zeal among the workers for the bank’s progress.
Speaking further, Mr. Ukoh, stated that the success story of the FINCA Microfinance Bank in Nigeria, was a testimony of clear definition and concerted efforts towards bringing people out of poverty. “In FINCA, we strive on daily basis to ensure that we lift people out of poverty by driving financial inclusion. As you know, FINCA is a pioneer microfinance bank with forty years of existence with the aim of getting people to meet their financial health and freedom from poverty, he explained, expressing confidence that the bank would achieve greater heights in future.
Contributing, the bank’s Secretary/Head of Legal Department, Barr (Mrs.) Lilian Opara, described the anniversary as awesome, exceeding their expectations. She thanked God as well as appreciated the workers and customers for the achievements of the bank, while expressing excitement and hope for a brighter future. According to her, FINCA Microfinance Bank strives towards impacting the society, adding that in this regard, the bank has touched its customers positively, hence the numerous testimonies from them.
At the event tagged: “Celebrating 10 Years of Impact” the bank also used the opportunity to honour hardworking and deserving workers who have played significant roles in the success story of the bank within its ten years of operations. Leading the workers with exceptional recognition was the winner of the FINCA Star Award 2024, Mr Emeka Anthony Ogbuga. It would be recalled that Mr. Ogbuga was rated best among other 71 nominees after vote cast by other workers.
The winner who is also the Credit Analyst of FINCA Microfinance Bank, Nigeria, while answering questions from journalists, described his motivation as his resolve to work towards realizing the strategic objectives of the bank which consisted in ensuring customers’ satisfaction. He thanked the management and his colleagues for finding him worthy of the honour, promising to redouble his efforts towards the progress of the bank. The anniversary also witnessed Mr. Ola Isaac Iwindipe as one of those honoured.
