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By Elizabeth Chukwwuma
In spite of the adverse effects of the Asian country of China, emerged coronavirus, popular, COVID 19, on the global economy, the United Bank for Africa, UBA, plc, popular, Pan African Bank, through its Foundation has been ‘’spreading joy and happiness’’ across the African Continent . This is evident as the Bank for many years has continued ‘’to give back food to the under- privileged in the communities in which it operates’’.
Take for instance at the UBA Foundation gardens in Lagos, the nation’s Commercial nerve centre, where the bank’s Headquarter is situated, Kennedy Uzoka, the Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Pan African Bank was said to have lights up the garden ceremony to mark the start of the festive season. Uzoka, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, CEO, was said to have been joined by other key management staff and some Valuable customers of the bank to light up the Foundation garden, amidst the admiration of visitors and guests including bystanders.
An elated Uzoka, who incidentally is the chairman of the UBA Foundation has made it clear to those that care to listen that ‘’giving back to the society what it gets was the main tenet of the UBA Foundation had said that the bank will not stop putting smile on the faces of the people’’.
He noted that the foundation over the years, have engaged in various activities aimed at appreciating its host communities all around the 51 African countries , particular, in countries where it operates. The UBAplc, helmsman, who could not hide his feelings had said that the ‘’Christmas lights symbolise hope for the future and all the goodness it will bring into people’s lives’’.
‘‘it is hard to believe that we have been in this pandemic for almost two years. People have lost friends and family members and businesses decimated by the effects of the pandemic. There has been a general feeling of hopelessness but our desire is to fill people’s lives with hope once again’’, the UBA, GMD, had said.
There is no gain saying the fact that UBA Foundation has been very active in combatting the spread of COVID-19 across Africa as the bank did not waste any time at the start of the pandemic, by donating over $14m to its host communities across Africa to support the fight against the pandemic
This year, according to informed sources, the Foundation will be feeding tens of thousands of people across Africa through its ‘’annual Food bank initiative’’ where food, hygiene products and other gifts items will be distributed to those who have less, especially during the festive season.
Mrs Bola Atta, the CEO, of the UBA Foundation and who incidentally is theHead of the Bank’s Corporate Communications, had described the lights up ceremony as very important for the Foundation , stressing that “it goes beyond lighting up the entire Marina axis of the city of Lagos and the adorning the streets with beautiful colours.
She opined that It reminds them as an institution of its promise ‘’to continue totouch lives and treat host communities with kindness’’. Aware that Nigerians and Africans in general are living in very difficult times, Mrs. Atta contended that a ‘’little gesture will put a smile on even one face, which will go a very long way. This may have informed why she had said. ‘‘We will continue to do whatever we can, within our power, to uplift others’’ in the African Continent.
The Lighting Ceremony which was said to have been witnessed by the staff and customers, who were said to have Observed all the necessary COVID 19 protocols as the event featured Christmas carols by UBA’s CFC choir,. The lights up ceremony was said to have been rounded up with a guided tour of the beautiful UBA Foundation Garden as the people showered encomiums on Uzoka and his Management Team for their foresight.
Already, Mrs. Atta, has assured the host Communities that the UBA Foundation, and the Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR arm of the UBA Group, will remain committed ‘‘to the socio-economic betterment of the communities in which the bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of Education, the Environment, Economic Empowerment and other Special Projects’’.
