Access Bank mobilises N800m for social support

Access Bank Plc, in partnership with Fifth Chukker, has raised $2.2 million (N800 million) in support of vulnerable children, during the finale of its yearly UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament, held at the Guards Polo Club, Windsor, United Kingdom.

The lender sees the game of Polo as an avenue to deepen its commitment towards impacting the environment and positively affecting the lives of its teeming customers.

The event further demonstrated the bank’s commitment to making a difference, as it gathered hundreds of the game’s lovers to watch the Nigerian duo, Adamu Atta and Babangida Usman, play alongside the number one Polo player in the World- Argentine’s Adolfo Cambiasso.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank UK, Jamie Simmonds, said: “The way we balance our economic, environmental and social impact, while continuing to grow our business and enhance our reputation is an area of key importance to us.

“This year we have grown our balance sheet by 26 per cent and increased year-on-year profits by 76 per cent. Our achievements owe much to the strong partnership we have with our parent bank. Our joint support of this new decade of the Access Bank Group/UNICEF Charity Shield with Fifth Chukker is an evidence of the social and economic value of that partnership,” he added.

The Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, affirmed the bank’s continued support for the Fifth Chukker UNICEF initiative, which is predicated on its role as a change agent in Nigeria and Africa.

“We will continue to look for ways through which more resources can be pooled towards supporting the children. We are part of the community and as such we support its wellbeing,” he stated.

The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; businesswoman and philanthropist, Bola Shagaya; Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu; and entrepreneurs, Kola and Tunde Karim, were some of the distinguished guests present to support Access Bank’s cause by purchasing artworks worth $30,000 (N11 million) from notable masters of the arts.

Another $2.2million (N800 million) was raised in pledges to renovate dilapidated classrooms and provide a better learning environment for underprivileged.