Why should a company worry about serving the interest of the society in which it operates rather than concentrating on its primary focus of growing the investments of its shareholders? The answer is very simple: no business venture, no matter the size, can thrive in a failed and pauperized society. Put differently, the growth and welfare of the society is not the sole responsibility of the government; it involves appropriate and concerted efforts by all stakeholders, of which the corporate sector is extremely important. The World Bank describes this scenario as the commitment of businesses to “sustainable economic development by working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their lives in ways that are good for business and for development”.
In Nigeria’s corporate environment, most organisations have since realized the importance of giving back to the society in which they operate. One of such organisations is Nigeria’s leading financial institution, First Bank of Nigeria Plc ((FirstBank), arguably the biggest financial institution in the country.
Conscious of its rich heritage and the realization that its future wellbeing and indeed, that of the country can only be assured if there is a sustained regeneration strategy that ensures that Nigeria has a pool of well-groomed, well trained and well mentored future leaders, the Bank partnered with Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI), an international non-profit, established in 2006 by the incumbent Minister of Trade & Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga. The objective of the organisation is to groom future business leaders by creating global network of credible and community spirited young Nigerians who are committed to taking responsibilities for driving positive changes in the country.
One of the key programmes to achieving this is the annual Future Leaders Programme (FLP) for emerging public and private sector leaders between the ages of 25 and 35 years. The programmes, which usually take place in a serene environment, are facilitated by members of the NLI Senior Fellows. Since the commencement of the partnership in 2007 and its renewal for another three years last year May, the Future Leaders Seminar has graduated 247 Associates, half of whom are Nigerians in the Diaspora.
During the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), FirstBank’s GMD/CEO, Mr. Bisi Onasanya said FirstBank is proud to be associated with an organization that seeks to identify and nurture leadership potentials in our youths.
“We have been at the forefront of championing good corporate governance and developing a workforce comprising people of impeccable integrity. There’s an alignment of vision between our organisations and we see our partnership as another way of contributing to the development of youths that will be in the driver’s seat of leadership in future”, he said adding that Dr. Christopher Kolade, NLI’s patron should be commended for his commitment to replicating the ideals of professionalism and selfless leadership that he is renowned for under the NLI platform.
Unfolding its plan for year 2012, NLI’s CEO, Yinka Oyinlola said the organiation’s focus for the year will be on four key areas which include: Guest Speaker Fora, Mentoring to Lead, Community Service & Involvement and Annual Conference.
FirstBank’s Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney said the Bank’s partnership with the Nigerian Leadership Initiative is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives which place emphasis on promotion of initiatives that impacts Nigerian youths at home and abroad.
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Firstbank grooms generations of business leaders