••• Wamako lauds Union Bank

GOVERNOR Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state has lauded Union Bank of Nigeria PLC for its appreciable contributions to the development of the national economy, stating that the bank is first among equals.

He made the commendation during a courtesy call on him in Sokoto by the board of directors of the bank, led by its chairman, Professor Musa Yakubu, SAN, OFR.

The governor stressed that the bank was one of the best in the Nigerian banking history, adding that he was proud of the bank’s achievements so far.

While calling on other financial institutions to emulate Union Bank and do more in assisting governments fight poverty in the country, Gov. Wamakko lamented the high interest charged by banks and appealed for a relaxation of some of the conditions for granting facilities so as to accommodate the rural dwellers.

Earlier, Professor Yakubu had explained that the bank was in Sokoto for its 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in line with its policy of rotating the meeting across the country to sustain the goodwill and confidence of the shareholders.

He also solicited for more business relationship between the state government and the bank.

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of the bank, Dr. Barth Ebong, according to a press release signed by the bank’s principal manager, corporate affairs, noted that Union Bank had assisted a great deal to develop the national economy and grow banking habit in the country in its over 90 years of existence, disclosing that it had consistently supported rural dwellers through its agric financing schemes and had so far disbursed close to N200 million to farmers in Sokoto state during the current farming year to boost agricultural development.

He expressed the bank’s willingness to discuss and collaborate with the state government on areas of socio-economic development to assist it attain its goals and objectives for the people of the state.

Dr. Ebong stressed that bringing the bank’s AGM to Sokoto was to confirm its regards for the government and esteemed people of the state. He added that in the history of Union Bank, it has had people particularly directors from the state helping to build it into a formidable financial institution.

At the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) where directors went on a factory visit, the chief executive reiterated the bank’s commitment to industrial development, having assisted in developing the company from inception.