Wema Bank wins 2024 Nigeria Bankers’ Games

Wema Bank has emerged as the winner of the 2024 Nigeria Bankers’ Games which had its grand finale at the sports centre of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Saturday.

The main attraction of the grand finale was the Men’s Football final between Sterling Bank and FCMB which dragged on to a penalty shootout after the regulation time ended 1-1.

The penalty shootout saw Sterling Bank win Gold to the delight of chanting supporters who filled up the sports centre.

In athletics, Adewunmi Oluwaseun won the Women’s 100-metre race to clinch the Gold medal for Wema Bank. It was her first time competing in the tournament.

The 100-metre Men’s final was won by Access Bank. Sterling Bank won the 400-metre Men’s final, while Wema Bank emerged victorious in the Women’s 200-metre finale.

Miracle Henry, who won the Women’s 400-metre race for Sterling Bank, expressed delight that she was able to make her bank proud.

“I sacrificed a lot in terms of training and this victory crowns all the effort put in. After my heat last weak, I was expecting to win. Amid fears and doubts. I won. I thank God for making Sterling Bank proud,” she said.

In the Men’s Chess event of the Nigeria Bankers’ Games, Biodun Yekeen won Gold for Stanbic IBTC, Seyi Fidelis Ajanaku of Access Bank won Silver, while Bronze went to his colleague Olajide Olatunbosun.

Ngozi Uba-Eze won Gold for Access Bank in the Women’s Chess event, Margaret Okpnai of Sterling Bank won Silver and Oluwaseun Oloruntola of Access Bank took home Bronze.

The 2024 NBG also featured a Scrabble event, with Samuel Onifade of UBA winning Gold in the Men’s event while Malafakumo Akpos of Wema Bank won the Women’s event.

Wema Bank won the Volleyball event while March Past which took place at an earlier date was won by First Bank.

Ilufoye Afeez of Access Bank won the Men’s Singles Table Tennis event while Wema Bank won the Women’s event through Bukola Olorunmaye.

In the Table Tennis Men’s Doubles, Ilufoye Afeez and Oluwashina Akiti clinched Gold for Access Bank while Bukola Olorunmaye and Chiamaka teamed up to win the Women’s event for Wema Bank.

First Bank shined in tennis, and Gafar Olaleye and Toyin Solano won gold in the men’s and women’s events.

Ibrahim Ganiyu and Adedoyin Adegoju won Gold for Sterling Bank in the Tennis Men’s Doubles while Toyin Solano and Stellamaris Onuoha won the Women’s Doubles for First Bank.

At the conclusion, medals were presented to the winners who appreciated the organisers for putting together the tournament that enabled them to showcase their talent.

The organiser, Fela Bankolemoh, Co-founder of MediaVision Limited, said the conclusion of this year’s edition signified that something right was being done.

“The Nigeria’ Bankers’ Games brings together bankers from different banks to meet, network, engage and have timeouts. It is a work-life balance and it’s exciting to see that people come with their families. We look forward to the tournament becoming stronger and stronger each year,” he said.

Bankolemoh expressed delight that this year’s edition featured quite a number of games and expressed confidence that more games would be incorporated into the tournament.

He concluded by commending the medalists and giving encouragement to others who participated, saying, “A fall in the Olympics is participating; everybody cannot win but everybody is part of it.”