The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, FNIALS, has commended Zenith Bank Plc for its robust Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
Asagba Prof Azinge gave the commendation when the Manager of the GRA, Asaba, branch of the financial institution, Adaugo Iloanochiezi, visited him in his palace on Monday.
He said the bank had done well in the sponsorship of the Principals’ Cup football competition for secondary schools, and now the Headmasters’ Cup for primary schools in Delta State.
The Monarch noted that the initiative was not only targeted at promoting schools sports, but also helping to build character, discipline, teamwork and dreams among the young ones, while playing a vital role in shaping a better society through sustained collaboration with government.
His Royal Majesty remarked that while the bank was making waves in a broader sense of it, its relationship with the Asaba community was not encouraging and urged the management team to extend the Olive branch to the community so that they could be considered to be critical stakeholders in the development of the town.
The highly revered traditional ruler highlighted the ongoing permanent palace building project in Asaba as one which ordinarily required the support of corporate organizations in the community, but regretted that so far no bank had identified with the project, and none would be begged to contribute.
“Like you rightly pointed out, Asaba Amaka. This is not a statement of figment of imagination; it is a factual statement. No body who sincerely comes into this town to do business or even to live that has not told the story of Asaba Amaka because they’ve all been blessed. And you are, according to you, the most profitable banking institution, just as Asaba is the fastest growing state capital, not only in Nigeria but also in Africa south of the Sahara.
“So, we have so much going for us and we are prepared to say it anytime. And apart from the developmental trajectory, we’ve also tried to make this town peaceful, most habitable for everybody. With that comes investment; with that comes lots of business engagements that will help in the profit margin that you proclaim. So, we have made this place very hospitable to all. Whenever we undertake any engagement, we do it not just for the people of Asaba, but also for non indigenes.
“A few days ago I was at the expressway to meet the contractor working there. Ideally, it shouldn’t be my beat. I know that the road users, which you are part and parcel of, are already feeling the pain. The yuletide is fast approaching and if that road is not motorable it will have dire consequences on everybody. So, we went to ginger the contractor, to see what he can do to make that road motorable, at least before Christmas. So, on our own we try to do things that will make the town habitable for people like you, especially those who are not from Asaba, but living here, working here, making money here and eking out a living in the town”, the First Class King said.
Earlier in her remarks, the Branch Manager of the bank, Adaugo Iloanochiezi, said earlier attempts to see the Asagba were not successful, pointing out that they thought it appropriate to visit at a time he was preparing for his birth anniversary because they would want to be part of the celebration.
Iloanochiezi said Zenith Bank which, according to her, “is currently the most profitable bank, has been in Asaba for sometime, with profits to show, affirming that Asaba Amaka.
“You are a man we’ve known for a long time, even though we’ve not been privileged to meet you one on one. Seeing you today is a great honor we will not take for granted. Our visit is also to tell you that we want to be part of what is happening here; we want to contribute our quota, to be your financial custodian, have a relationship with the palace and add value to whatever is happening in Asaba”.
She revealed that the bank had been doing a lot in Asaba, including decorating some parts of the town for Christmas and annually sponsoring the Principals’ and Headmasters’ Cup football competitions to encourage the young ones to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and nurture them to be future champions.
Senator Nwoko’s Strategic Leadership, National Influence, People-Centered Representation