FirstBank has consistently built relationships with customers focusing on the fundamentals of good corporate governance
By Eugene Onyeji
The gender social norms index of the United Nations Development Programme, estimates that nearly 90 per cent of all people have ‘a deeply ingrained bias’ against women.
The index shows that almost half of those polled feel that men are superior political leaders. Another 40 per cent believe they make better business executives and are more entitled to jobs when the economy is lagging.
Gender equity, stereotypes and biases in the society and workplace have posed concerns repeatedly. Increasingly, we see a drive for women to be more inclusive in decision making, strive towards gender equity and break the stereotypes and biases that have limited women in the past.
First Bank has consistently demonstrated its commitment to gender equality and is taking steps to ensure a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Read Also: IWD: First Bank tackles gender gap with First Women Network
Rising from its recent event on March 8, 2022, to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD) – themed Breaking the Bias, FirstBank on Friday, March 25, 2022, continued the conversation with a line up of known voices to speak at its round table for the Gen Zs and Millennials.
The event themed “Discrimination, Bias, Stereotype, Still Walking Tall!”, created opportunities for participants to learn from the speakers, cutting across diverse experiences, socio-economic backgrounds and career paths.
The webinar which was moderated by Denola Grey, Actor, Model, Fashion Consultant, and on-air multimedia personality (OAP), had panelists like, Cobhams Asuquo, award-winning music producer, songwriter and musician; Osas Ighodaro, Actress, Host, Producer & humanitarian; Ore Runsewe, the founder of Arami Essentials, a natural beauty brand and Foluso Gbadamosi, Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria.
It was an insightful and enlightening conversation as the panelists disected the issues to the satisfaction of the audience.
Like they say, “Old habit die hard”, the panelists agreed that discrimination and bias cannot stop overnight, they however encouraged the female folks to be brave and learn to shine their light at all time.
They advised parents to motivate their girl child to aspire to be the best and desire for improvement in whatever capacity they find themselves. They advocated that equal playing field should be considered along some specific roles that women play in the society in the area of carrying and nursing a baby.
They concluded that if the female folks can plan their part, be excellent in what they do and believe in themselves, they will be able to work tall against all discrimination and bias in the society and workplaces.
First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is the premier Bank in West Africa and the leading financial inclusion services provider in Nigeria for 128 years.
With over 750 business locations and over 160,000 Banking Agents spread across 99% of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, FirstBank provides a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services to serve its over 36 million customers. The Bank has an international presence through its subsidiaries, FBNBank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FBNBank in the Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Senegal, as well as a Representative Office in Beijing.
The Bank has been handy at promoting digital payment in the country and has issued over 11million cards, the first bank to achieve such a milestone in the country. FirstBank’s cashless transaction drive extends to having more than 10million people on its USSD Quick Banking service through the nationally renowned *894# Banking code and over 5 million people on the FirstMobile platform.
Since its establishment in 1894, FirstBank has consistently built relationships with customers focusing on the fundamentals of good corporate governance, strong liquidity, optimised risk management, and leadership. Over the years, the Bank has led the financing of private investment in infrastructure development in the Nigerian economy by playing key roles in the Federal Government’s privatisation and commercialisation schemes. With its global reach, FirstBank provides prospective investors wishing to explore the vast business opportunities that are available in Nigeria, an internationally competitive world-class brand, and a credible financial partner.
FirstBank has been named “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” six times in a row (2011 – 2016) by the globally renowned “The Banker Magazine” of the Financial Times Group; “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” for seven consecutive years (2011 – 2017) by the Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards and “Best Bank in Nigeria” by Global Finance for 15 years. Our brand purpose is always to put customers, partners, and stakeholders at the heart of our business, even as we standardise customer experience and excellence in financial solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, in consonance with our brand vision “To be the partner of the first choice in building your future”. Our brand promise is always to deliver the ultimate “gold standard” of value and excellence. This commitment is anchored on our inherent values of passion, partnership, and people, to position You First in every respect.
