The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has urged the Chief Executive Officers of banks in Nigeria to reopen their closed branches across the state, assuring that “there is a new Sheriff in town”.
Spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed disclosed this in a statement obtained by The Herald.
According to the statement, the governor spoke at the commissioning of the rebuilt Ede branch of First Bank of Nigeria on Friday.
This newspaper can report that attacks by dare-devil robbers forced some banks in the state, particularly in Osun West and Central, to close shop.
Adeleke said his administration has reworked the security architecture of the state to secure major towns and villages.
“The conditions responsible for the closing of banks’ branches at Ila, Iree, Ikirun, Iwo and other areas of the state no longer exist. Osun is secured for banking operations.
“I call on top bank managements, reopen your branches. Osun is under-banked, even with digital applications, physical offices are still needed in many towns.
“I recently launched a sustainable industrial policy for the state. I call on banks to partner with us for implementation. We want to grow the private sector. This is good news for financial institutions.
“We are receiving high volumes of investors’ interest to enter the Osun market. We are creating the enabling environment. Bank chiefs should join us.
“I commend the First Bank for its deep partnership with Osun state. Expand your reach, our administration is prepared to deepen partnership with financial institutions and private organizations”, the governor noted while commissioning the branch.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Dr Adesola Adeduntan reassured the governor and all Osun residents of the resolve of his bank to provide banking operation of high standard to their esteemed customers across the state.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adewale Egbedun, the Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye and four commissioners-designates.