FirstBank deepening financial independence, wealth creation among Nigerian youth

Oluwaseyi Akorede

First Bank Nigeria Limited has again shown commitment in deepening financial independence and wealth creation amongst Nigerian youths.

The lender recently engaged the next generation of Nigerians through its Youth Empowerment Series 3.0 programme held recently in Lagos with the theme, “Let’s Talk.”

Speaking at the event, the bank’s Chairman, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, stated that the youth empowerment series was designed to sensitise the youth on the importance of financial discipline, savings and investment.

According to her, FirstBank is committed to nation-building and any institution that is committed to nation-building cannot avoid investing in building and enlightening the next generation of Nigerians.

“Essentially, what we are doing is equipping the next generation as a seed of nation-building.

“FirstBank does this not because it wants to spend money but because it believes in the next generation that will change the country with financial knowledge,” Awosika stated.

She noted that Nigeria needed to build a generation of entrepreneurs that would address unemployment.

“We need to create jobs and we need to create an entrepreneurial mindset so they can be solution providers and business builders.

“It’s when you build businesses that you can create jobs.

“Government cannot create jobs, it can employ some people into the civil service but the bulk of the population will still remain in the private sector and you can only do that by creating enterprises.

“The most successful way to do it is to educate, empower and to reset the mind of the youth,” she said.

The chairman urged the youth to take charge of their lives by making the right decision at any given time and avoid being vulnerable.

“Early enough you must have a sense of ownership of your life, when you fail it’s not your parents that failed.

“Everything you do is essential for you and the sense of ownership is very important, you must fight and protect it.

“If you don’t do well your parents will be sad, but it’s your future,” Awosika added.

According to her, youths should pay attention to the decisions they make for a better future.

She stated that they must set their priorities right to be ahead of their peers by making sacrifice today towards their future.

Awosika said the youth must treat anybody they come across with respect and treasure them because they would likely meet them again in life.

She also stressed the importance of the network, noting that, “your network determines your network.”

Earlier, in a welcome address, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the bank’s Managing Director, said the youth empowerment summit was intended to grow the future of teenagers and youths on the path of financial freedom.

“FirstBank is passionate about the youth, we recognise that the future of our dear nation depends on you.

“We are promoting the advancement of the nation by taking conscious steps to prepare the future generation for meaningful growth and development,” Adeduntan said.

Adeduntan represented by Mr Gbenga Shobo, FirstBank Deputy Managing Director, said the bank would remain committed to national and global long-term economic development.“The youth empowerment summit is one of the remarkable investment we have made at FirstBank to prepare the Nigerian youths and to enable you to become enterprise minded”, said Adeduntan.