In recognition of their contribution towards the infrastructural upliftment of Unity schools and general development of education across the country, the Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo and a host of other distinguished Nigerians have been honoured by the Alumni Association of the Federal Government Girls College, Benin City at a special event in Lagos held recently.
Apart from the Heritage Bank helmsman, other recipients of the award include a deputy director of education, Federal Ministry of Education, who is currently the Principal of the Federal Government College, Odi, Mrs Gladys Ekata Ekhabafe; President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Albert Okumagba and the first female director of the Lagos Business School, Enase Okonedo, among others.
In her welcome remark at the event, President of the Association, Mrs Abosede Ozah Osho, said the event was organized as a mark of honour for distinguished organisations and individuals who have been relentless in promoting the survival of education and, in particular, the Unity schools, through various initiatives.
Osho noted that the event was informed by the need to offer a unique opportunity for old students to reunite with a view to engender more synergy while also providing time for them to associate, network as well as pass along the great tradition which the school was known for.
She particularly singled out the Heritage Bank CEO, Sekibo, for praise over his sterling contributions to the development of unity schools across the country over the years as well as Heritage Bank’s commitment to the cause of girl-child education since it started operations.
“Our Association is particularly pleased to state that Ifie Sekibo is a distinguished Nigerian who has traversed every major sector of the economy, such as oil and gas, insurance and banking. He is known to have resuscitated many moribund entities in Nigeria among which are Moni Pulo, RIM Merchant Bank and Global Assurance.
“In all of his endeavours, we have known him to be a great advocate and supporter of girl-child education. Though, he prefers to operate silently, his contribution to education development across the country is really commendable,” Osho said.
In his acceptance speech, Sekibo, who was represented by the Bank’s Head of Brand Management, Femi Adekola, expressed happiness for the recognition. He pledged Heritage Bank’s continued support for girl child education in Nigeria, in line with the bank’s mantra of creating, preserving and transferring wealth.
He said the Bank would continue to have a voice in girl child education activism because of its belief that “Educating a girl child is equal to educating a nation”.
“Heritage bank’s partnership with Zuriel Oduwole, an international girl child activist, further reiterates the importance of combating this problem and we have taken it as a cause that is worth championing selflessly and powerfully in the overall best interest of the African Continent,” he explained.
