By Ojotule Romanus
Governor Ahmed Usman Odoodo, has unveiled Premium Trust Bank Lokoja with an assurance that his administration remains committed to providing a business-friendly environment for investments to thrive.
Speaking at the grand opening of the Lokoja branch of the bank, Governor Ododo, stated that his administration’s deliberate policies on ease of doing business, security, and infrastructure were yielding visible results ; just as he asserted that Kogi State remains best place to do business.
According to him, Kogi State offers immense lucrative opportunities for investment and is blessed with abondance of the vital resources of quality manpower to meet the needs of the industry and other commercial activities being undertaken in the state.
“Today, we proudly welcome Premium Trust Bank as one of the latest investors to believe in our vision for a prosperous Kogi as the Confluence of Opportunities.
“I wish to sincerely thank the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, CON, FCIB, for keeping to his word and for this strong statement of confidence in our State. This new branch will not only create jobs but will also expand access to financial services for our people. It is a major step toward achieving financial inclusion in our dear state.
“Kogi is a blessed State. We house the largest cement factory in Africa. We also boast of another cement factory that is growing so fast. We have the best and largest iron ore deposits in Africa. We have over 30 mineral resources in large quantities and our land is one of the best for agriculture. As the most central state in Nigeria, we share borders with ten other states and the Federal Capital Territory. We are also blessed with a lot of tourist attractions. You can’t bring your business to Kogi State and regret it”. The governor pointed out.
He assured that his administration was ready and willing to partner with Premium Trust Bank and other forward-looking institutions to accelerate development in the state, urging the management of the bank to key into his administration’s industrialization and agricultural transformation drive.
The Governor deslosed that his administration was opening up industrial parks, revitalizing farm settlements, and supporting agro-processing clusters. These initiatives he stressed require strong financial backing, and as such, banks like Premium Trust could play a pivotal role in providing the needed capital and expertise to small and medium enterprises.
He equally used the medium to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for what he described as “radical, timely, and people-focused reforms in the financial sector”. According to him, President Tinubu’s policies have strengthened the banking Industry, increased depositor confidence, and opened new opportunities for investment and growth.
Governor Ododo further assured that his administration remained committed to ensuring that Kogi continues to be a safe, stable, and attractive environment for businesses to thrive emphasising his administration’s policies would continue to support institutions like Premium Trust Bank to grow and serve the people better.
Earlier in his address, the Managing Director/ CEO of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim had stated that the opening of the bank in Kogi state was not merely an expansion of the Bank’s physical footprint but a deliberate and profound investment in the future of the state and it’s people.
Mr . Emefienim said the establishment of the bank in the state represents a resolute commitment to partner with the state in unlocking extraordinary economic potentials and delivering solutions that is transformative, enduring and purpose driven.
He commended Governor Ahmed Usman Odoodo, for his vissionary leadership and bold transformative initiatives which he noted were designed to reposition the state for sustainable prosperity.
” We are here to serve with excellence, to partner and grow with unwavering determination. We have come to lokoja, not simply to open a branch, but to unlock pathways to financial emporwent, accelerate enterprises growth and catalised community development that will resonate for decades” the MD further added.
