Press Release
First Bank of Nigeria Plc on Wednesday May 18, 2011 reaffirmed its dedication to the empowerment of emerging Nigerian leaders when it renewed its sponsorship of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) Future Leader’s Seminar for another three years. Participants who go through the programme will become Associates of NLI.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) renewing the sponsorship of the Seminar was signed in a ceremony which took place at the head office of First Bank. It was anchored by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya and NLI’s founding patron, Dr. Christopher Kolade CON.
The partnership between the two organizations began in 2008 and has enabled the discovery of over 200 young Nigerian achievers at home and in the Diaspora. NLI created the Future Leaders Seminar (FLS) with the mission of institutionalizing its core values for leadership development through knowledge, engagement and social projects. This year’s May seminar features Associates from Nigeria, Ghana, UK, US and South Africa.
Mr. Bisi Onasanya, while commenting on the choice of NLI, said First Bank is proud to be associated with an organization that seeks to identify and nurture leadership potential in young Nigerians.
“We have been at the forefront of championing good corporate governance and developing a workforce comprising people of impeccable integrity. There’s an alignment of vision between our organizations and we see our partnership as another way of contributing to the development of the next generation of Nigerian leaders”, he said adding that Dr. Christopher Kolade, NLI’s patron should be commended for his commitment to replicating the ideals of professionalism and selfless leadership that he is distinguished for, under the NLI platform.
Dr. Christopher Kolade, on his part commended First Bank for its unwavering support, noting that the Bank has remained a formidable institution committed to implementing robust corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Established in 2006 by the Nigerian Trade & Investment Minister, Olusegun Aganga, NLI is a platform for highly accomplished, uniquely qualified Nigerians to develop and express their values-based leadership skills and to assume a transformative role in Nigeria’s development.