Firstbank Takes Another Lead With Agric Expo, August 30

FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, is proving its leadership position again by facilitating an agribusiness expo, to boost activities in agriculture sector.

First Bank is Nigeria’s premier banking brand, having sustained a leadership position in the several years it had operated in the banking sector.

The 2019 FirstBank Agric Expo would hold on Friday, 30 August 2019 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, with “Agricultural Value Chain – Spotlighting Opportunities and Managing Risks”, as theme.

This is the third in the series since the forum began, and on ground to take the sessions, are tested experts and technocrats in the critical areas of agribusiness.

Professor Benedict Oramah, President of AFREXIM Bank would deliver the keynote address, while the Masterclass facilitators include Mr. Leonard Anyanwu, Group Executive Director, Saro International Limited; Mr Segun Ogunwale, Team Lead, Kominity Digital, while Mr Bamidele Ayemibo Managing Director, 3T Impex Trade Centre, will coordinate the success stories segment.

The annual FirstBank Agric Expo, launched in 2017 provides the lead in national discourse on sustainable agriculture value-chain as a substantial source of Nigeria’s economic development, improved contribution to her balance of trade as well as foreign exchange.

The Eagle checks show that over 600 delegates would be attending, while more than 60 exhibitors are expected to showcase the latest technology in farm equipment, tools and machineries as well as packaged finished agricultural produce, logistics and supply, at the expo.

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, Chief Executive Officer of the bank, is already upbeat in hosting dignitaries and the array of companies coming.

Adeduntan added: “Inin the last 125 years, more than any other financial institution, we have played a key role in financing different sectors of not just the Nigerian economy but other economies in sub-Saharan Africa.

“As Nigeria expands opportunities in its non-oil sector – especially Agriculture – we remain committed to the growth of the agricultural sector and its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.”

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“Our consistency in convening the FirstBank Agric Expo, which is in its third consecutive edition, is a demonstration of our commitment to building the agribusiness economy which is capable of delivering sustained prosperity by meeting domestic food security goals, generating exports, supporting sustainable income and creating employment opportunities”, he concluded.

Living true to its pioneering roles in the banking sector, FirstBank recently began a foray into the promising artificial intelligence space with the bank’s digital lab playing host to experts with the topic “Artificial Intelligence in Banking & Payments”, which was facilitated by Ope Adeoye, Managing Partner, 2iLabs.

The FirstBank Digital Lab Fireside Chat is a public conversation that brings together active players in the technology community to brainstorm on critical and relevant issues of banking particularly and humanity in general.

The topic took cognizance of the extensive and growing impact Artificial Intelligence (AI) was beginning to play in the money market sector and which foresighted Nigerian banks have been seeking to leverage.

With first outing on Friday, 27 July 2018, it highlighted  FirstBank’s digital-centric approach to business as it aims to promote fintech penetration amongst its stakeholders. The engagement provided a vantage forum for practitioners to have experience of success stories and foster the exchange of ideas on trends in the industry.