First Bank tasks graduates on career development

Graduates of First Academy Foundation Tier 1 School, the training arm of First Bank of Nigeria plc have been tasked to take advantage of their admission into First Bank group to make a successful career in the banking and financial services industry.

By getting into First Bank as their foundation stone the graduates have the best opportunity to access the best working environment, best people and what it takes to attain the highest level of their career in the industry, Bisi Onasanya, group managing director/chief executive officer (CEO) of First Bank said.

First Academy was the first corporate academy of its kind in Nigeria, and it is affiliated to the Global Association of Corporate Universities and Academies and the World Institute of Action Learning, said Onasanya at the graduation ceremony in Lagos.

According to him, by establishing this academy the bank intend to continually produce talents in-house that will ensure that the bank maintains its leadership position both in Nigeria and in all the regions in which the bank has business locations.

“This has informed our commitment to continuously attract the best in the industry and also invest in them by providing them with world class development interventions which enables them to be rated among the best in their chosen field,” he said.

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The bank last week ushered into its workforce 87 graduates after completing a series of rigorous and in-depth learning sessions designed to enable them successfully progress through their careers in the bank.

Ayodele Jaiyesimi, head, human capital management and development charged the graduates to strive to be the best they can be.

“I must at this point mention that your journey is just about to begin, your character will be tried, and your knowledge, skills and abilities will be challenged. However, if you are ready to rise up to the challenge by giving it your best shot, you will succeed not only in the bank but in life,” she said.

At the occasion, the bank presented an award to Akorede Apampa, a doctorate degree holder in Veterinary Medicine, as the overall best performing student.

Apampa who graduated from the University of Ibadan said the First Academy graduates learnt diverse things, and met diverse personalities during the 16 weeks intensive training.