Zenith Bank celebrates pioneer customers, long-serving staff at 35
Representative of the Nigerian First Lady and Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (left); Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo; Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Wife of the Founder & Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mrs. Kay Ovia; Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima; Founder & Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia; Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi; Chairman of Access Holding Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole at the Zenith Bank 35th Anniversary and Chairman’s Dinner held in Lagos, at the weekend.
With a mixture of pomp and glitz, Zenith Bank Plc at the weekend marked its 35th year anniversary in a commemorative Chairman’s Dinner at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.
To honour their support to the success of the brand, the bank also presented awards to pioneer customers and long-serving staff, who have served for 25 years and above.
The event brought together stakeholders of the bank, including customers, staff (past and present), regulators, partners, and friends, who came to celebrate 35 years of innovative banking services that has propelled the firm to the peak of Nigeria’s financial industry.
Some of the personalities who graced the occasion were Vice President, Kashim Shettima; Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Taraba Governor, Agbu Kefas; Borno Governor, Baba gana Zulum; Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme; Aliko Dangote; and Peter Obi.
In her welcome address, the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. AdaoraUmeoji, OON praised the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR for his foundational role in building the structures for what has today become a shining example of excellence in the Nigerian banking industry and a globally recognised financial institution. She described him as “the Godfather of modern banking and the Nostradamus of our time, who through sheer tenacity, foresight, and uncompromising integrity transformed a modest vision into the financial powerhouse we celebrate today”.
In his message, the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, a proud alumnus of the bank, lauded the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR for being at the heart of the very successful brand that today stands as Nigeria’s largest bank by Tier-One capital. According to him, “Long before technology became the bloodstream of global finance, Jim Ovia had already woven it into the DNA of Nigerian banking industry. He introduced innovation not as a fashion but as a philosophy, placing Zenith Bank on a path where excellence is not an ambition but a standard. Yet his true signature is not only on the balance sheet. For Jim Ovia, the people make an institution. His greatest investment has been in human capital – in transferring his experience and sense of adventure to generation after generation of bankers and investors forged at Zenith Bank”.
Speaking at the event, the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, CFR expressed its immense appreciation to all guests for joining the bank in celebrating this momentous occasion. He thanked the bank’s esteemed customers and shareholders for their trust, confidence and shared vision; the regulators, for their guidance over the years; his friends and partners, for being a constant source of strength; the Zenith Bank family led by the exceptional Group Managing Diector/CEO, Dame Dr.AdaoraUmeoji, OON, for their loyalty and commitment; and his beloved wife and family for their love and support.
Founded in May 1990, Zenith Bank has developed from humble beginnings into one of Africa’s leading financial institutions with branches across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, Abuja as well as subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, France, UAE and a representative office in China.
