In a remarkable celebration of heritage and innovation, Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced a joint celebration marking Wema Bank’s 79th years and ALAT’s 7 years anniversaries.

This significant celebration not only commemorates nearly eight decades of exceptional service and innovation in the Nigerian banking sector but also celebrates the bank’s seven years of digital excellence with ALAT.

Since its inception in 1945, Wema Bank has been at the forefront of financial innovation, constantly adapting to meet the evolving needs of its customers. Over the decades, the bank has evolved from a regional bank to a national bank, adapting continuously to meet the dynamic needs of its customers and establishing itself as a pillar of trust and reliability for millions of individuals and businesses across Nigeria.

According to the MD/CEO Wema Bank, Mr. Moruf Oseni, the bank’s evolution from being Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank to being at the forefront of innovation, pioneering Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has been a true story of resilience and transformation.

“At 79, Wema Bank stand stronger than ever, and this achievement would not have been possible without the support of our customers and employees. We thank them for believing in the Wema vision, for entrusting their financial security to us, and for allowing us to contribute to their personal and professional aspirations. Their faith in us is deeply cherished, and we are honored to serve them.”

“As we mark our 79th year today, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering lives through innovation, and exceeding our customers expectations with unparalleled banking experiences tailored to their needs. Our pledge is to stand by our customers through every stage of life, offering enabling platforms to accelerate their growth and propel them to extraordinary heights.”

“While the past 79 years have been remarkable, we anticipate that the coming decades will be even more inspiring. With the partnership of our customers and employees, Wema Bank is poised to set new standards in financial services and redefine the future.” He concluded.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Wema Bank and ALAT are rolling out a series of customer-focused activities designed to reward loyalty and enhance the customer experience. Throughout the anniversary month, customers will enjoy various promotions, including discounts on transactions, cash prizes, special loan offers and much more.

This anniversary is more than a celebration; it’s a reaffirmation of Wema Bank’s resilience and ongoing commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction in a competitive industry. Both Wema Bank and ALAT are poised for further growth, with strategic initiatives designed to enhance customer-centric services and expand the reach yearsw capability of digital banking solutions.

Dinah Lawan, one of the freed Chibok schoolgirls, says she got discouraged from pursuing her education after she was released from captivity.

In April 2014, Lawan and over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by terrorists from their dormitory at the Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno state.

Lawan recounted her experience during a programme organised by Enough is Enough Nigeria (EIE), a civil society organisation, to mark the 10th anniversary of the schoolgirls abduction.

The programme focused on the measures adopted to improve the lives of the schoolgirls and to hold the government accountable.

During the event, EiE launched a booklet detailing the journey and challenges faced by the girls after they regained freedom.

Lawan graduated from Notre Dame University in the US and is currently a second-year PhD student in political science at the University of California.

She raised concerns over the inability of the government to establish a trauma management programme for the girls who regained freedom.

“After the kidnapping, honestly, I completely gave up on education because what happened to me and my classmates that night was very difficult in so many ways,” she said.

“I know we were kidnapped in school while getting an education. But education is not the only thing that was taken away from us that night. So many things. Happy children were taken away from their families and loved ones. Our childhood was taken away from us. Really, I hated education at a time.

“After a while, I came to the realisation that if I allow myself to be discouraged by what happened, then I will give those Boko Haram the power they sought, right? So I decided to go back to school.

“I want all my classmates to keep fighting and never give up. One of the lessons I have learned from my journey is that when unpleasant circumstances occur, things can never be the same but life has to go on.”

Grace Dauda, one of the schoolgirls, said she sustained severe injury on her thighs while they were being taken to the forest by the terrorists.

Dauda was among the 82 schoolgirls released in May 2017.

“I spent three horrible years in captivity and after gaining my freedom, I was still struggling with my leg. I had three surgeries in Nigeria before I got an opportunity to have a fourth surgery abroad,” she said.

“I also got an opportunity to study abroad but my visa got expired and I couldn’t renew. The story changed when I returned to Nigeria.

“I feel like many people are just using us for their own interest because we suffered a lot and we didn’t get what we wanted.

“I want the government to help those who are no longer interested in education with some businesses. I feel the government don’t care because they abandoned those who are not in school.”

David Umahi, minister of works, says Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, is inciting people of the south-east against the Federal Government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Umahi spoke in Lagos on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the road project.

Recently, the federal government commenced the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states.

The project has generated controversy and concerns about funding and the businesses that would be affected during construction.

On Tuesday, Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, criticised the federal government over the project, describing it as a misplaced priority.

The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.

UMAHI REPLIES OBI

Responding to the comment, Umahi said Obi supported the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was the governor of Anambra.

The minister condemned Obi for criticising the Federal Government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.

“When you condemn people you bring judgment upon yourself and that is what he has done,” Umahi said.

“I think he is inciting some of the south-east people that are not well informed.

“He is inciting and getting them into trouble and he does not go to fight for them.

“Wisdom is a defence. It gives light to those that practice it. I want our people to have wisdom because I’m involved.”

Umahi added that the federal government did not destroy the facilities of Landmark Beach, noting that only shanties on the right of way were removed.

He said the owners of Landmark Beach were not unfairly treated in the construction of the project.

The minister accused Paul Onwuanibe, chief executive officer (CEO) of Landmark Africa Group, of politicising the issues arising from the project.