Access Bank Group along with 5th Chukker, The Access Bank UK and Access Private Bank hosted the 10th annual ‘Access Bank Polo Day’ at the Guards Polo Club, Windsor.
The annual event, according to the press release from the Access Bank UK Limited is part of its continued support of UNICEF and the climax to the high-profile Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament, which is “designed to celebrate a decade of commitment to UNICEF projects and aimed at reaching out to and highlighting the plight of vulnerable children and orphans and internationally displaced persons.”
From its’ base with 5th Chukker in Kaduna, Nigeria, the Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield has grown to be the biggest charity polo tournament in Africa and generates interest and support from organisations and individuals across Africa for the UNICEF/Access initiative, the report stated.
According to the press release, although, the UNICEF/Access Bank initiative was initiated in 2007, but today, it has seen the rebuilding of two schools in Kaduna and more than 8,000 students sustained in continuous education, at the same time developing new school blocks and a computer literacy building all in a more secure and friendly school environment.
In addition, communities surrounding the schools are being supported with bore-holes for water, and sewing and grinding machines to secure employment and stimulate economic and social development.
It is further reported gathered that the Access Bank PLC group managing director and chairman of The Access Bank UK Ltd, Herbert Wigwe, while explaining the reasons behind the Bank’s continued support for the Fifth Chukker UNICEF initiative, noted that the Group deem it fit and made it mandatory for herself to stay alive to community welfare and responsibilities as change agents.
“We are conscious of our role as a change agent in Nigeria that can help institute socio-economic development through responsible business practice and environmental consideration.” Adding that “we are continually seeking ways through which more resources can be pooled towards supporting the children. We are part of the community and as such should support its wellbeing.”
As reported, Access Bank’s “objective is to grow a sustainable business through customer service excellence, and innovative solutions in trade finance, commercial banking, private banking and asset management,” Access Bank UK’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Jamie Simmonds stated this while commenting on the success recorded.
The Managing Director added that: “The Award as Best Africa Trade Finance Bank, for the second year running, as voted by CFI-Co readers and contributors is a testimony to the value of our principles of relationship-based banking, growing our business through the depth and quality of customer relationships, while at the same time maintaining a moderate appetite for risk.
