Access Holdings Plc, a prominent African financial group, has
demonstrated its commitment to supporting the community by announcing a
donation of over ₦1 billion to aid relief and recovery efforts in Maiduguri.
The donation according to Access holdings will be facilitated through its banking vertical, Access Bank Plc.
The announcement was made during a visit by the Group's delegates, led by
Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, to the Borno State
Government House in Maiduguri.
The donation, in response to the devastating floods that have
severely impacted the region, aims to provide both immediate and long-term
relief. Access Holdings' contribution will be allocated as ₦500 million in cash
to support the state government's on-the-ground response efforts, ₦500 million
for the restoration of critical infrastructure damaged by the flood, as well as
essential food supplies to ensure the most vulnerable receive care.
During the meeting, Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, reaffirmed the Group's commitment to supporting the people of Borno. She restated a pledge to impact the lives of communities where the institution operates.
"At Access Holdings, we believe in positively impacting
the communities we serve, not only as a financial institution, but as a family
that cares deeply for its people. We recognize the resilience of the people of
Borno, and we are committed to providing the support necessary to overcome this
difficult time. This donation is not merely about the funding; it is about
offering immediate succor to families and individuals who have been affected,
while also contributing to local economic resurgence and long-term resilience
through the restoration of essential infrastructure," said Agbede.
Governor Babagana Zulum graciously received the Access
Holdings delegation and expressed appreciation for the donation and the
company’s swift response to the crisis.
“We are moved by the generosity and commitment shown by Access
Holdings and Access Bank during this critical time. This donation of ₦1 billion
is appreciated during this challenging time and will be judiciously utilized to
impact the lives of all those who have been affected by the incident. The
restoration of our hospitals and essential services will strengthen our
resilience, while the food relief will provide immediate comfort to families
and individuals in distress. Truly, this support speaks to the importance of
cooperation between the government and the private sector in improving the
lives of our local communities,” said Zulum.
The donation from Access Holdings marks the first time a
mainstream financial institution has offered support to Borno in the aftermath
of a disaster that affected over one million people. This disaster left entire
residential areas submerged and tens of thousands of people displaced. The
company is dedicated to working closely with the Borno State Government, aid
organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that relief reaches those most
in need, and to position the state for recovery.
Bolaji Olaitan Agbede is a Nigerian banker and corporate
executive who has been the acting managing director and Group CEO of Access
Holdings since February 12, 2024, following the death of Herbert Wigwe. When
appointed as acting CEO, she was the company's most senior founding executive
director, responsible for business support.
She is a Nigerian national who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Statistics in 1990 from the University of Lagos. Subsequently, she obtained a Master of Business Administration from Cranfield University in 2002. She is an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Management of the United Kingdom and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
As of March 2024, her career spans over 27 years, with
experience in banking operations, customer relationship management, and human
resources management. She commenced her professional career with Guaranty Trust
Bank in 1992 and was promoted to the position of Manager in 2001. In 2003, she
assumed the role of CEO of JKG Limited, a business consulting firm. Following
this, she joined Access Bank Plc in 2003 as an Assistant General Manager and
was appointed as the Group Human Resources Director in 2010, a position she
held until 2022.
In 2022, she was appointed as the company's founding executive
director, overseeing business support. After the unfortunate passing of Herbert
Wigwe in a helicopter crash in the United States on 9 February 2024, the board
of directors of Access Bank Group (Access Holdings Plc) appointed her as the Acting Group CEO.
She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management
UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
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