Segun Atanda/
In a demonstration of corporate empathy and national solidarity, a delegation of Nigeria’s leading bank CEOs, under the aegis of the Body of Bank CEOs, has delivered critical relief materials to victims of the recent floods in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
Led by Mr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Body of Bank CEOs and Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), the group presented essential supplies to the Executive Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, during a formal handover in Abuja on Saturday.
The relief items — including bags of rice, beverages, cooking oil, and mattresses — are valued in millions of naira and are part of a broader commitment by the banking sector to support communities devastated by natural disasters.
“The Nigerian banking industry stands in solidarity with the people of Niger State,” Alawuba declared. “This gesture is not a one-off. We are committed to sustained collaboration with the government to help rebuild lives and restore hope.”
The recent flooding in Mokwa displaced thousands, destroying homes, farmlands, and livelihoods, and leaving communities in dire need. The intervention by the banking community is seen as a timely and strategic support effort that highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in disaster response and recovery.
Present at the event were some of Nigeria’s top financial leaders, including Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, GMD/CEO of Zenith Bank; Mr. Hassan Imam, MD/CEO of Keystone Bank; Mr. Hamid Joda, MD of TAJ Bank; and Mr. Akin Morakinyo, Registrar/CEO of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
Receiving the materials, Governor Bago lauded the banks for their humanitarian commitment. “This donation reinforces the vital role of the private sector in disaster relief. It is more than rice and mattresses — it’s a message of solidarity and hope,” he said.
The Governor emphasized that the state is open to deeper partnerships with the banking sector to strengthen resilience against future disasters. “On behalf of the people of Mokwa and the entire state, we are deeply grateful. This act of kindness will not be forgotten.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with climate-related challenges, the gesture by the banking sector underscores the evolving role of financial institutions in shaping not just the economy, but also the humanitarian and social development landscape.
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