FCMB re-states commitment to supporting less privileged

In line with its commitment to continually empower and impact lives in all segments of the society, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has donated 15 Braille machines designed to aid the blind in reading and writing.

The bank made the presentation to the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) at its Vocational Training Centre (VCT) located at Oshodi, Lagos state. The Braille machines (comparable to a typewriter) are designed to aid the blind in reading and writing, with a view to assisting them get sound education.

The donation of the machines forms part of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which focuses on poverty alleviation, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.

A statement from the bank said the gesture is aimed at effectively supporting the efforts of the FNSB towards enhancing the standard of teaching, as well as learning of the blind, who are students of the VCT. The centre was established 60 years ago and so far, over 2,000 visually impaired men and women have benefited from the various training programmes at the centre.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony recently in Lagos, the Group Head, Corporate Affairs of FCMB, Mr. Diran Olojo, said that the Bank recognises the importance of every segment of the society. He added that, ‘’as a corporate organization, we believe that it is necessary to constantly extend the hand of fellowship, support and love to the physically challenged and other less privileged groups through charity programmes like this. We will continue to support initiatives and programmes that empower people to fulfil their aspirations. We are committed to helping a wide spectrum of our stakeholders to ensure the emergence of a sustainably progressive society.”

Also speaking, the Divisional Head, Human Resources and Strategy of FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa, explained that, ‘’as an institution, we will do our best to help remove barriers, give new hope, provide resources and expand possibilities, so that people with vision loss can achieve their full potential’’. She urged the students not to see the physical challenge as an impediment to the attainment of their respective ambitions.

The Divisional Head further commended the Board and Management of the FNSB for sustaining the Society and the VCT over the years and for its contributions in alleviating the plight of the visually impaired.

In his response, the Chairman of Council, FNSB, Asiwaju Fola Osibo expressed, “profound gratitude to FCMB’’. He said, “We are determined to give the best support to the students of the Centre so that they can actualize their potential and subsequently contribute to national development”. Asiwaju Osibo appealed to the government, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to assist in providing support for the center.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional customer experience, while empowering its customers to achieve their aspirations.