Apparently worried by the state of the less privileged children’s education in Nigeria, Access bank Plc has moved to salvage their education with the support of N800million.
The financial company, according to report, helped the children to raise the fund which was meant to improve their education in Kaduna State through its charity programme in United Kingdom.
The money was raised at a Polo tournament Access Bank organised, in partnership with UNICEF and Fifth Chukker, at the prestigious Guards Polo Club, Windsor, United Kingdom.The fund is to support 240 orphans and at-risk children in six local government areas in Kaduna, with a specific focus on 12 communities.
The Nigerian banking industry sees Polo game as an avenue to further deepen its commitment towards impacting the environment and positively affecting the lives of its teeming customers but the game of Polo to an average Nigerian may be nothing more than a group of men riding on a horse trying to hit a round
object.
The event saw hundreds of game lovers throng the pitch to watch the Nigerian duo, Adamu Atta and Babangida Usman, play alongside the number one Polo player in the World, Argentine, Adolfo Cambiasso.
Some distinguished guests such as the Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; businesswoman and philanthropist, Bola Shagaya; CEO of Oando Plc., Wale Tinubu; and entrepreneurs, Kola and Tunde Karim, were present to support Access Bank’s cause by purchasing artworks worth $30,000 (N11 million) from notable masters of the arts; Ben Enwonwu, Muraina Oyelami, Ablade Glover and Bruce Onabrokpeya.
Jamie Simmonds, Access Bank UK MD/CEO, commented on the success of the year’s edition, saying, “The way we balance our economic, environmental and social impact while continuing to grow our business and enhance our reputation is an area of key importance
to us.
“This year, we have grown our balance sheet by 26 per cent and increased year on year profits by 76 percent. Our achievements owe much to the strong partnership we have with our parent Bank. Our joint support of this new decade of the Access Bank Group/UNICEF Charity Shield with Fifth Chukker is an evidence of the social and economic value of that partnership.”
Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, in his remark, confirmed that the Bank’s continued support for the Fifth Chukker UNICEF initiative is based on its role as a change agent in Nigeria and Africa, which can help institute socio-economic development through responsible business practice, social initiatives, and environmental consideration.
“We will continue to look for ways through which more resources can be pooled towards supporting the children. We are part of the community and as such we support its wellbeing,” he
said.
