Kashim Shettima, the Vice president of Nigeria, Babajide Sanwo-olu the Lagos State Governor, Aliko Dangote president of Dangote Groups, Femi Otedola, the Chairman of FBN Holdings, and Bukola Saraki the former Senate President were among the distinguished guests that convened on Wednesday for the groundbreaking ceremony of First Bank’s 40 storey headquarters at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The new headquarters is designed with a strong focus on sustainability, incorporating a green-certified structure that minimizes operational costs and reinforces FirstBank’s position as a pioneer in sustainable banking practices.
Read also: First Bank receives certificate to construct 43 storey Headquarters building at Eko Atlantic
The ceremony also saw the attendance of key government figures, Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice president Kashim Shettima in a statement on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a sustainable and globally competitive financial system to allow Nigerian banks and other financial institutions to thrive.
Shettima disclosed this in a statement posted on X.com on Wednesday.
The statement read, “President #officialABAT has said that his administration is working assiduously to create a system that is sustainable and globally competitive, enabling Nigerian banks and other financial institutions to thrive.
Read also: Elegance, class as First Bank turns sod to build 40-floor office in Eko Atlantic City
“He noted that government policies under his administration are driven by the reality that the nation no longer has the luxury of time to postpone its economic transformation.”
“Banks are the engines of economic growth, and we owe it to them to champion a system that guarantees sustainability and global competitiveness.
“Our expectation is for our banks to excel, expand beyond our shores, and earn their place among the world’s most viable and profitable enterprises,” he was quoted as saying.
In a post on X.com following the ceremony, Saraki congratulated First Bank on its remarkable achievements over the past 130 years.
He emphasized that the headquarters would mark a new era for sustainable and technologically advanced infrastructure within Africa’s financial sector.
He wrote, “As one of Nigeria’s oldest banks, in its 130 years of existence, FirstBank Nigeria has achieved remarkable milestones. This is why, today, it was a privilege to join the Management, Board, and friends of the bank at the official groundbreaking of FirstBank’s innovative 40-story green headquarters in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
“Congratulations to FirstBank on this landmark development, which will not only redefine the Lagos skyline as Nigeria’s tallest building but also lead a new era of sustainable and technologically advanced infrastructure in Africa’s financial sector.”
Sanwo-Olu also shared his excitement about the project on X.com, highlighting the significance of the development for both the local economy and the transformation of Victoria Island’s skyline.
“Today, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the First Bank Plc Iconic Tower at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, alongside the Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima.
“This marks the beginning of a significant development project that promises to transform the skyline of Victoria Island and further enhance the economic landscape of our state” he wrote.
Photo Credit: The Punch
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