"UBA Celebrates 75 Years of Existence: A Legacy of Excellence, Innovation, and Global Impact"
Monrovia-
Multinational pan-African Financial Services group with headquartered in Lagos Island, lagos United Bank Africa (UBA) also known as Africa’s Global Bank celebrated its seventy five (75th) years of existence on Monday May 19, 2024 hosting a press conference global, where Group Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, reflected on the bank's rich history and shared its future aspirations.
Speaking to tongs of journalists from UBA headquarters’ in Nigeria through a global press conference, Alawuba articulated deep appreciation to the bank's former and current leaders.
"It is with great pleasure and a profound sense of pride that we gather here today to commemorate a momentous occasion – the 75th anniversary of United Bank for Africa Plc," Alawuba began. "UBA commenced operations in 1949 on Kakawa Street, Lagos Island, as the British & French Bank."
In Liberia, UBA Liberia Managing Director, Mr. Ayokunle Olajubu and other staff celebrated the 75th anniversary via live video, honoring and paying respect to the bank at Broad Street In Central Monrovia.
"First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge and appreciate all our former Chairman of Group and Subsidiary Boards, Board Members, Group and Subsidiary MD/CEOs, and staff in various capacities over the years," he said. "Without your sacrifices, contributions, support, and guidance, we would not be where we are today." Mr. Ayokunle Olajubu said during a brief speech.
The bank group managing director also gave special recognition to Mr. Tony Elumelu, UBA’s Group Chairman. "Mr. Tony Elumelu truly deserves special mention. Without his visionary push in 2005 and tutelage over the years, I doubt we would be where we are today. For these and more, we say a big and resounding thank you to him."
Alawuba also acknowledged the unwavering support of UBA’s customers. “I want to thank all our customers around the globe. Your consistent support and patronage have been amazing,” he said. “Many families have been with us for generations, and this is the true strength of UBA.”
Highlighting UBA’s pioneering achievements, Alawuba noted, “The past 75 years have been marked by stability and excellence. UBA has achieved numerous firsts, such as being the first bank in Nigeria to offer an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1970 and the first to install ATMs in Nigeria.”
Looking forward, Alawuba emphasized innovation and digital transformation as key to UBA’s growth. “Innovation and digital transformation are at the heart of UBA’s strategy for future growth and competitiveness. We will continue to invest in innovative products, services, and digital platforms that enhance customer experience and drive operational efficiency.”
He reaffirmed UBA’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. “Our initiatives in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability have made a concrete impact on communities across Africa,” Alawuba stated.
Alawuba shared UBA’s vision to be a role model for African businesses. “UBA is one bank, uniting Africa while connecting Africans to the world and the world to Africa,” he said. “Our recent $6 billion SME funding agreement with the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) exemplifies our commitment to collaboration and growth.”
Restating UBA’s customer-first philosophy, Alawuba said, “Our three key pillars of service – People, Process, and Technology – are all geared towards delivering excellent customer experience. The customer is our employer and the sole reason we come to work every day.”
Alawuba concluded with an inspirational quote from Soren Kierkegaard: “Honor the past, celebrate the present, and embrace the future. Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
United Bank Africa or UBA for short operates across 4 continents with presence in 20 African countries, United States of America, France, United Kingdom, and UAE; and over the past 75 years, they have exemplified stability, reliability, and excellence in banking, achieving numerous milestones and positively impacting the communities that we serve.
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