BY ABUCHI IFESINACHI, AWKA
There was unusual jubilation at Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, recently when an illustrious son of the town, and Group Managing Director of Nestoil PLC, Dr. (Sir) Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, formally handed-over a-multimillion naira edifice of Diamond Bank he singlehandedly built for his community to the management and staff of Diamond Bank PLC for immediate and optimum monetary transaction.
The official take-off of the first bank to be established in Okija; a community with an impressive population, attracted mammoth crowd of Okija indigenes both young and old, among other notable Nigerians including Chief Obinna Uzoh, Anambra State former Governorship Aspirant under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Hon. Emeka Anohu, the lawmaker representing Ihiala 2 at Anambra State House of Assembly; Chie f Abot Kalu.
Speaking at the epoch making event, the Oil magnet, Dr. Sir Obiejesi explained that the banking project was necessitated by his utmost desire to combat crimes in the society, create wealth and employment opportunities, because according to him, the financial institution would cripple the activities of hoodlums, who in the recent past rob workers of their wages and salaries whenever they received the cash payment.
Dr. Sir Obiejesi, who had enriched many lives through his foundation, Obijackson Foundation; maintained that he had no personal interest in the business, and urged the citizenry to judiciously utilise the commercial bank for cashless economy and savings of their hard earned resources, even as he called for a collaborative effort in transforming Okija to London.
While noting that his foundation would never relent in putting smiles on the faces of everybody within and outside Anambra state, Osuofia (as his fondly call) reaffirmed that he would sponsor the forthcoming Anambra under 17 Football Championship; Face of Okija pageant show; Okija December Wrestling as well as to open Okija Children Hospital and Okija town hall whose structures are already completed.
Receiving the key, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Diamond Bank PLC, Dr. Alex Otti, described the first generational financial institution as best among other branches of Diamond bank nationwide, adding that it was fully furnished with Information and Communications Technologies equipments needed for cashless economy such as internet banking, mobile banking among other services.
Hence, he pledged to consolidate Obijackson’s effort by giving loans and other incentives to the people whenever they applied for any with a view to combating insecurity which he said were brainchild of joblessness and poverty.
Earlier speaking, the Manager of Obijackson Foundation, Arch. Barr. James Akporero, described “the free gift of financial institution” as part of the measures geared by his boss to showcase Okija to the world.
According to Barr. Akporero, international community is yet to hear of Okija because the foundation is striving harder to partner with international donor agencies so as to reach-out to Nigerians as well.
Speaking to 247ureports.com, Chairman of Okija Royal cabinet, Ichie Ezenweme; President General of Okija, Hon. Chidi Austin Anyaji; and Chairman of Okija Youth Vanguard, Comrade Kenneth Okoye disclosed that the kind gesture would entrench lasting peace in the community and reduce the hell they pass through channeling their financial transactions to Nnewi, Onitsha and other cities where most banks are situated in the state.
They also used the medium to enjoin other wealthy Nigerians to learn to invest at home through humanitarian services “because givers never lack”.
