By Stanley Simon, Senior Correspondent
First Bank of Nigeria has again recommitted to impact investment especially in the areas of education and healthcare to enhance social development and the standard of living of the people.
The assurance was made by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Firstbank, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, at the inauguration of the Primary Health Centre at Ijedodo community, in Alimosho Council Area of Lagos State.
Adeduntan, represented by the Executive Director, Retailing Banking (South), Seyi Oyefeso, said the Health Centre, executed under the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) project will create a positive impact in the society.
He noted that FirstBank’s CSR approach focuses on citizenship, stakeholder management and impact management, adding that “As a brand, the bank is committed to creating a positive impact to the society, which are anchored on three pillars — strategic education, health, and welfare.”
Regarding the Health Centre, he said: “It is heart-warming that from today residents of Ijedodo community will no longer have to travel long distances to access fundamental amenities such as health and welfare.
“The reality is one of the biggest inspirations behind the partnership with the Lagos State Government to execute this project, and also congratulate everyone who is part of this life changing history.
“The bank is confident that the residents of Ijedodo community will become healthier and wealthier and we implore everybody to take advantage of the banking services that will be provided at this establishment.”
As a brand, the bank is committed to creating a positive impact to the society, which are anchored on three pillars — strategic education, health, and welfare.
Benefit of PPP
Speaking on the realisation of the 20-month project, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwa-Olu, said the Health Centre project is in line with the government’s mantra to “leave no community behind in development strategy under the ‘One Community At A Time’ (OCAAT) initiative.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mrs. Folashade Jaji, noted that in the last two and half years, Lagos has collaborated with the private sector to implement a number of projects on sanitation, health and recreation to transform communities in the state.
He said such collaborations have yielded a lot of benefits in terms of building recreation centres, rehabilitation of schools, and a host of others.
He said the OCAAT initiative is being implemented in eight other council areas in Lagos State, adding that the Ijedodo Primary Health Centre was started in 2021, in partnership with First Bank of Nigeria.
He said the Centre will provide health care service for over 10,000 people in the Ijedodo community, and appreciated the support of the residents, especially the traditional rulers, whose efforts ensured the realisation of the project.
Jaji, on her part, said the health care facility will boost the standard of health for residents of Ijedodo community, adding that the Sanwo-Olu’s administration will continue to do its possible best to improve the health and welfare of Lagosians for a greater and better Lagos.
The Permanent Secretary, Primary Health Board of Lagos State, Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, appreciated the Governor and SSG for their efforts in making the project a reality.
He also pleaded with the government to construct the access road leading to the Health Centre to give residents in the community unfettered access.
