Zenith Bank Plc, at the weekend marked its 35th year anniversary with a commemorative Chairman’s Dinner in Lagos amid pomp and pageantry layered with a mixture of glitz and glamour.
The bank also presented commemorative awards and plaques to pioneer customers and long-serving staff, who have served meritoriously for 25 years and above at the event which brought together key stakeholders of the bank including customers, staff (past and present), regulators, partners, and friends. They all came together to celebrate 35 years of excellent and innovative banking services that has propelled the banking giant to the peak of Nigeria’s financial industry.
The roll call of eminent personalities at the ceremony included Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima; Governors of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Taraba, Dr. Agbu Kefas; Borno, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Delta, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir. Monday Onyeme; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and former governors Peter Obi and Udom Emmanuel (also a former Executive Director of the bank).
Welcoming guests, the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, applauded the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia for his 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 a goodwill message, Senator Shettima, praised Ovia for being at the heart of the very successful brand that today stands as Nigeria’s largest bank by Tier-One capital.
“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,” he added.
Responding to the streams of accollades, Ovia expressed immense appreciation to all guests for joining the bank in celebrating this momentous occasion, beginning with the 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. He also thanked the Zenith Bank family, led by the Group Managing Director/CEO, for their loyalty and commitment; as well as his beloved wife and family for their love and support.
Founded in May 1990, Zenith Bank has grown 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.
