TheFirstBanker Quarter 1, 2016k1

03 04 08 12 16

Ibukun Awosika, the Parting shot: Words and Meet FirstBankers who Take a look at some of Forget it! Love is a head
new Chairman, inspires pictures of Bisi Onasanya, are going the extra mile the great moments of thing according to new
the FirstBank Group. former GMD/CEO to share love 2015 and 2016 research findings

The FirstBanker

QUARTER 1, 2016

The New Helmsmen
Dr. Adesola Adeduntan Olugbenga Shobo

GMD/CEO DMD Designate

Inside FirstBank

DEAR FIRSTBANKERS,

I would like to commend As a bank, our central task over the reducing the burden on our bottom-line from
the most hard working next plan cycles is non-negotiable: about 10% of them that currently operate at a
to reclaim our position as the loss. In this instance, we will be targeting cost to
and best banking team in domestic industry leader, and the country’s income ratio of 55% within the next 2 years.
Nigeria....I am proud to bank of first choice. This will require a
return to our core market: commercial and We are also committed to boosting
work alongside all of you. retail banking while not yielding ground in technology’s contribution to our business
I am proud to be the the corporate banking space. Given the especially concentrating on improving our
head of this family. dynamics of these sectors, it would likewise customers’ ease of doing business with us
require that we strengthen our risk and the convenience of their access to our
management and control model. various touch points. We plan to double our
customers base over the next three years
A cutting-edge customer service value while aggressively migrating our customers
proposition means that we cannot equally to alternative channels to reduce our cost
ignore the invaluable role that our of serving them.
technology endowment must play if we are
to ramp up our innovation capabilities and Finally, I would like to commend the
make our processes even more efficient for hardest working and best banking team in
businesses and individuals alike. Nigeria. To be the Group Managing
Director/Chief Executive Officer of a large
Over the next weeks, I will detail out the corporation is everyone’s dream, but to be
various things we must do to improve as a the Goup Managing Director /Chief
business, and the metrics we will use to Executive Officer of the most recognisable
measure achievement of these initiatives. banking brand in the country, an institution
Before that, however, it is important to that has dominated the financial services
landscape for over a century, is epitome of
state that my focus in the coming year such dreams.
is on reducing our non-performing
loans to less than 3% of our I am proud to work alongside all of you. I
loan book, and our cost of am proud to be the head of this family. It is
risk to less than 2%. In in that spirit, that I wish you all a happy
addition, we would be new year filled with the best of everything
initiating a cull of our this season comes with. We must all be
network of prepared for the new year with a renewed
branches, focused on all the key ingredients of
aimed at performance at the individual, Group and
Corporate levels.

Everyday a better way. Thank you and
God bless.

Dr. Sola Adeduntan
GMD/CEO

The FirstBanker 02

Inside FirstBank

NUGGETS FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Inspirational Words from Ibukun Awosika,

Chairman, FirstBank

Ibukun Awosika, first female the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Sometimes you have to take a
chairman of FirstBank, is founder Programme. A fellow of the Aspen Global hard decision and when you
of The Chair Centre, multiple Leadership Network, founder and board take such a decision, you have
award-winning entrepreneur, host of member of Women in Management and to stand by it. It's not everybody
a popular television show, Business Business (WIMBIZ), she sits on the boards who sees what you are seeing.
His Way, author of two books: The of many companies and non-profits.
Girl Entrepreneur: Our Stories and
Business His Way, and a passionate Here are a few nuggets from the
advocate for entrepreneurship and Chairman:
job creation.
Take a personal decision to be
She heads a FirstBank Board excellent in whatever you do.
comprising people of repute: GMD,
Dr. Adesola Adeduntan; DMD I come from a place where
Designate, Gbenga Shobo; UK Eke, there are opportunities
Group Managing Director of FBN staring you in the eye, but
Holdings; Dauda Lawal, Executive these are looking for the
Director, Public Sector; Abiodun people who have the heart
Odubola, Executive Director/Chief and courage to do it and do
Risk Officer; Lawal Kankia Ibrahim, it right.
Ambrose Feese, Ebenezer Jolaoso,
Obafemi Adedamola Otudeko, Tunde There are challenges
Hassan-Odukale, Ibrahim Dahiru everywhere. You must have
Waziri, Mrs. Olusola Adetoun Oworu tenacity; you must have
and Dr. (Mrs.) Ijeoma E. Jidenma, strength of character not to
Non- Executive Directors. cheat. Don't run at the sight
of the first problem. He who
Mrs Awosika holds a B.SC in confronts challenges wins.
Chemistry from the University of Ife
(now Obafemi Awolowo University),
an MBA from IESE Business School,
Barcelona, Spain and is an alumna of

The FirstBanker 03

Inside FirstBank OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS,
FIRSTBANK’S ABILITY TO PROMPTLY
ONASANYA BOWS OUT RESPOND TO EMERGENT THREATS
IN ITS OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
12 HAS BEEN A CRITICAL COMPONENT
34 OF ITS RESILIENCE. MUCH OF THIS
5 CAPACITY WE OWE TO MR. BISI
ONASANYA, OUR DEPARTING GROUP
The FirstBanker 04 MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO, WHOSE
EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP OF THE
BANK STRENGTHENED OUR SERVICE
PROPOSITION BY BUILDING ON OUR
TRADITION OF PUTTING OUR
CUSTOMERS FIRST. AS WE BID HIM
FAREWELL, WE ARE INVITED TO
REMEMBER THAT THE STRONGEST
TRIBUTE WE CAN PAY HIS LEGACY IS
TO REINFORCE THE INSTITUTIONAL
FOUNDATIONS THAT HE LAID WHILE

IN OFFICE.

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan

GMD/CEO

1. Bisi Onasanya delivering the CIBN Valedictory
Lecture December 8 2015 2. Dr. Segun Aina,
Immediate Past President/Chairman, Research,
Strategy& Advocacy Committee, CIBN and Mr.
Onasanya, 3. Dr. Aina, Onasanya, President
CIBN, Otunba Mrs. 'Debola Osibogun, former
Governor, CBN, Chief (Dr.) Joseph Sanusi and
Registrar/ Chief Executive, CIBN, Mr. 'Seye
Awojobi 4. Dr Adeduntan with Mr. Shobo leading
the pull out parade of Mr Onasanya. 5. Goodbye
from Onasanya: End of an era.

Inside FirstBank

Signing on the wall: CAMA 2013 With Mrs. Awosika and Timothy Arowogun, PARTING SHOT
Most Entrepreneurial Staff (2011)
With Bello Maccido, former GMD FBN Holdings and I am proud of what we have
Tijjani Borodo, FBN Holdings Company Secaretary Leading roadshow on FirstBank 120th achieved collectively, starting
Anniversary Celebration and Brand Refresh from the successful delivery of
WithMonday Ezeh, Best Gross, With Olumide Ojo, our Century 2 Enterprise
2014 Golf Tournament top performing BSM Engaging with Annette Nijs and Carlijn Transformation Project, to the
Nouwen, senior researchers from CEIBS planting and sprouting of our
footprints in other African countries.
With wife, Helen, receiving the Sun We have grown strongly as an
Banker of The Year Award2014 organisation and I am happy to have
played a part in that success.
FirstBank Paypal Launch
It has been an honour and a
privilege to serve FirstBank in
various capacities. It's an
understatement if I say that I will
miss you all. Nevertheless, I am
confident in the new leadership
team's vision for the Bank and
determination to see that vision
come to fruition. I couldn't be
more optimistic about the Bank's
future. Our mantra of putting our
customers first has served us for
over 120 years. By going back to
the basics of banking and
continuing to put our customers at
the heart of all we do, we are
positioning FirstBank for continued
success.

I have utmost confidence in your
future success. I will be watching
with anticipation and optimism.

Bisi Onasanya

Acknowledging one of The FirstBanker 05
his many honours
With wife, Helen arriving CAMA 2012 With Maccido at FirstBank Brand Refresh Launch

Inside FirstBank

THE NEW HELMSMEN

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, international and local banking and AS A BANK, OUR CENTRAL TASK
FirstBank's new Group financial services experiences to the OVER THE NEXT PLAN CYCLES IS
Managing Director, is a Bank at a time of significant national NON-NEGOTIABLE: TO RECLAIM
chartered accountant and experienced economic challenges. OUR POSITION AS THE DOMESTIC
banker whose love for Yoruba music and INDUSTRY LEADER, AND THE
folklore belies his urbane mien. He succeeded His focus is restoring FirstBank to COUNTRY'S BANK OF FIRST CHOICE.
Bisi Onasanya who retired December 31, Nigeria's Bank of first choice: Dr. Adeduntan
2015 at the end of a six – year tenure.
“As a bank, our central task over the value proposition means that we cannot
Fondly called Sola, Dr. Adeduntan is next plan cycles is non-negotiable: to equally ignore the invaluable role that our
the 11th Nigerian chief executive of reclaim our position as the domestic technology endowment must play if we
Nigeria’s premier and most valuable industry leader, and the country's bank of are to ramp up our innovation
banking brand in its 121-year history. first choice. capabilities and make our processes even
He joined FirstBank in 2014 as more efficient for businesses and
Executive Director and Chief Financial “This will require a return to our core individuals alike.”
Officer. He brings a wealth of market: commercial and retail banking
while not yielding ground in the Mr. Gbenga Shobo, the Deputy Managing
corporate banking space. Given the Director Designate was Executive Director, Lagos
dynamics of these sectors, it would & West, until December 31, 2015.
likewise require that we strengthen our
risk management and control model. Shobo, Fellow of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
“A cutting-edge customer service (ICAN), alumnus of the University of Ife,
Kellogg School of Management and
Dr. Sola Adeduntan Harvard Business School, joined FirstBank
GMD/CEO in 2006 and won the Most Outstanding
Business Development Manager at the
The FirstBanker 06 FirstBank CEO Merit Award in 2007.
He is a self – confessed fan of Naija Hip
Hop so don't tempt him with a Don
Jazzy, P-Square, WhizKid or Davido
music.

Olugbenga Shobo
DMD Designate

Inside FirstBank

Understanding SDGs

What are Sustainable Development

Goals? The Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) are the new global
development framework adopted by
heads of states of 193 countries at
the 70th session of the UN General
Assembly in September 2015.

A set of 17 integrated goals and
169 time-bound targets to end
poverty, fight inequality and
injustice, and tackle climate
change by 2030.

Built on the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs),
implemented mostly in developing
countries 2000 - 2015.

The SDGs are designed to supporting our communities and learning opportunities for all.
continue where the MDGs left sustaining the environment. Goal 5: Gender Equality: Achieve
off and have been regarded as the gender equality and empower all
platform that will propel the The five SDGs are: women and girls
transformation of the world in the Goal 2: End Hunger, achieve food Goal 8: Decent work and economic
next 15 years. Nigeria is playing a security and improved nutrition and growth: Promote sustained, inclusive
significant role in achieving SDGs. promote sustainable agriculture economic growth full and productive
Goal 3: Good health & wellbeing: employment and decent work for all.
SDGs and FBN Holdings Ensure healthy lives and promote
wellbeing for all at all ages Watch out for more on the
Of the 17 SDGs, five are more Goal 4: Quality Education: Ensure SDGs and the role you are
related to our business and inclusive and equitable quality expected to play.
sustainability approach which education and promote lifelong
include driving sustainable
finance, investments and
insurance; empowering people;

The FirstBanker 07

Community

For Love’s Sake

Many FirstBankers are going beyond the call of duty to give back to the communities individually
and through the Bank's Employee Volunteer Scheme, EVS. Their actions fit into the Sustainable
Development Goals, (SDGs) agenda which the FBN Holdings Group endorses. You too can volunteer.

Always ready to help

Helping comes conjunction with JAN (Junior initially very unwilling to learn.
naturally to Omolara Achievement Nigeria) at Aunty “We came up with
Adewuyi, Compliance Ayo Girls Secondary School,
Officer, Regulatory Risk Keffi Ikoyi on Wednesdays 1.00 strategies that motivated
Management Unit. In - 2.00pm. The programmes them and the turnout was
Primary School, she joined aligns with SDG 4. massive. All through the
Brownies “because I heard period I had to forfeit my
and saw how they impacted Despite the various lunch break, rush out of
lives in the community.” obstacles: tight work schedules, office and return before my
road traffic, political induced absence was noticed.”
In secondary school, she closure, blistering sun shine
joined the young farmers club, and torrential rain, they were “It gives me great joy to see
an agricultural society which determined that nothing would and hear the testimonies of
educated the community on stop would them from reaching the girls and how I had been
the beauty of agriculture and and impacting the kids. who were part of those that impacted
its many benefits. their lives positively.”

“We were made to cultivate Rotimi inspires colleagues with a quote
lands, sow and harvest various
products without eating any. All For Oluwarotimi Olayanju, . “I vividly remember my crowd: “a little bit more”. He tells his
farm produce were given out
cheerfully”. one of his life's objective is to experience in one of the audience that what differentiates

At FirstBank, Omalara be a blessing to present and volunteering programmes during successful people from others is
signed up to the EVS. In
2012, she was part of a team future generations. As an active the fuel crisis last May, when I that they all did what was expected
that visited the Old people's
home where she “had so participant in the EVS, Rotimi has had to trek a very long distance of them and “a little bit more.”
much fun.” She later joined a
team of Yinka Afolabi. been privileged to participate in in order to meet up with a He wants to promote decent
Ajibola Hamed, Tunde
Ilesanmi and Nnebue Jerry to three volunteering exercises volunteer exercise.” work and economic growth, by
teach financial literacy in
namely; Down Syndrome Inter It is difficult to separate Rotimi inspiring superior performances in

House Sports Competition, Future from quotes. At a recent staff line with SDG 8.

First Financial Literacy Volunteer retreat, he relied on a quote by “Volunteering has taught me

Programme and Junior Achievers Lou Vickery. “Four short words that I should not allow the world

Nigeria E-Learning Volunteer sum up what has lifted most to change my smile; rather my

Programme. successful individuals above smile should change the world!”

The FirstBanker 08

Community

Azubike Obi is inspiring Chijioke Oji, Cash
women to take the lead Management Unit,
Transaction Banking
Azubuike Obi, Business Group of the Port Harcourt
Manager Telecoms (IBG)
and his wife drive the branch, has been involved in

several Employee Volunteer

non-governmental platform, Inspire Schemes organized by the bank,

for Women which organizes leadership such as the Future First financial

conferences to raise women for literacy programme, Junior

leadership in business, politics, career, Achievement company For the
programme and LEAP Africa's love of
ministry and the family. IFW enables youth development training street kids
programme.
women who have excelled in these
He says “volunteering has
areas to speak to other women. always been a part of me; I get
elated when I see people happy
“We realized that women were

their own best motivators and

mentors and that women find it over an act of kindness and I well being, an SDG 3 goal.

easier to empathetically connect My Father passed on when my must say that all these As a volunteer he is glad

with other women,' says Azubike. mother turned 37. volunteering experiences have all that he was able to

Since 2013, the NGO has held “Growing up without a father left been very interesting and contribute in putting smiles

three editions of Inspire for a void in my life and that of my revealing.” on the faces of these

Women in Lagos State, with over siblings and it brought into sharp “I have been able to reach out disadvantaged street

six hundred women in relief how hard my mother had to and impact people's live and I children by helping to

attendance. In 2015 the Bank work to fend for all seven of us. feel very great about that”. create an environment

was the core sponsor for the “Looking back, I often wondered He singles out the bank's conducive for their holistic

third edition of the Inspire For what would have happened if my employee volunteering scheme development in order to

Women Lagos conference. mother did not have an education visitation to De Marilack Centre enable them become a

What inspired him? His and a career in the civil service. in Diobu Port Harcourt, where part of mainstream society.

mother's life struggles. Widowed “I had to find a way to he met street children who are “It has been a great

at 37, Azubike says his mother, a contribute to the betterment of being given a second chance in scheme and I encourage

civil servant, had to work very hard the life of women, to mentor, the home to reposition and the initiators of the

to raise her five children and two motivate, encourage and redirect their energies into programme not to relent”.

dependants. So on turning 37, the empower them with the requisite positive ventures in life. At the Volunteering is a

pains he nursed inside led him to knowledge and inspiration they school, he provided mentorship rewarding and impactful

become an advocate for women will require for a successful life. to the children and showed experience he says and

empowerment. Gender equality is “ For me, volunteering is life. When them how to make healthy encourages all true First

Goal 5 of SDGs. “For me, 37 was we use of our means, skills, ability and choices to brighten their bleak Bankers to embrace this

such a pivotal year in my life for energy to better the lives of others, futures, enable their overall great scheme.

one very important reason: we start to find our own life”.

The FirstBanker 09

Inside FirstBank Ogun State honours
a worthy son
The FirstBanker 10 Dr. Oba Otudeko, CFR.,
distinguished statesman, business member of the Africa Regional
mogul, renowned philanthropist Advisory Board of London
and Group Chairman of FBN Holdings Plc, Business School, London, UK.  Dr.
was honoured by his home state, Ogun, Otudeko also served on the board
as part of celebrations marking the of several blue-chip companies
state’s 40th anniversary. including Airtel Nigeria Limited,
Fan Milk Nigeria Plc, Central Bank
He received a Special Recognition Award of Nigeria and the Chairman of
alongside four others, February 2nd, 2016. Honeywell Nigeria Plc.
Dr. Otudeko (CFR) is a Nigerian entrepreneur
and visionary reputed for his highly successful He is a recipient of several
domestic and foreign investments that cut awards and national honours
across diverse sectors of the economy.  He was including the Commander of the
Federal Republic (CFR) in 2011.
a former President of the Nigerian Stock He is Fellow of the Chartered
Exchange and assumed responsibility for Institute of Bankers, UK; Fellow
the change transformation of the of the Institute of Chartered and
Nigerian capital market along with Corporate Accountants, UK;
its Council driving the market to Fellow of the Institute of
its highest capitalization ever Chartered Accountants, Nigeria
during his tenure.    and Fellow of the Institute
Outside of the private Chartered Secretaries and
sector, Dr. Otudeko has Administrators of Nigeria. 
had a distinguished
career in public service, On the award, UK Eke, GMD
especially in the area of FBN Holdings said: “We are proud
education. He was of Dr. Otudeko and the
Chancellor of the advancement that he brings to
Olabisi Onabanjo Nigeria. He is a great example of
University (formerly how to deploy your wealth of
Ogun State experience, expertise and resources
University), Ago- for the good of humanity. FBN
Iwoye, Ogun State, Holdings rejoices with him as he
between 2001 and adds another feather of success to
2010 and a his cap.”

Dr. Oba Otudeko, CFR
Chairman, FBN Holdings

Recognition

You made it happen!

2015 was another awesome year for FirstBank thanks to FirstBankers! We
were recognised at home and from abroad for our leadership, qaulity
service and a whole range of other indicators. In all, the Bank won 18
awards including the Most Valuable Bank Brand In Nigeria by The Banker
Magazine for the fifth time in a row, Bank Brand of the Year, Best Retail Bank
in Nigeria, Best Impact by Corporate University, Best Retail Bank in Nigeria and
Private Bank of the Year.

According to the 2016 Top 500 Awards, which the Bank won for 12th
banking brands ranking published in the consecutive years; Best Bank in Support
February edition of The Banker magazine, of Agriculture by BusinessDay.
Financial Times Group in conjunction with
Brand Finance, London, United Kingdom, Best Retail Bank, Businessday
First Bank remains Nigeria’s number one Banking Awards; Best Bank in Support
banking brand and moved from 336 of the Manufacturing Sector by
position in 2015 to 320 this year in the
global rating. BusinessDay; Best Company In SME,
Social Enterprise Report and Awards
Other awards. include: Private Bank of (SERAs); Best Private Bank in Nigeria by
The Year, Nigeria 2015 The Banker World Finance Magazine; Best Mobile
Magazine of The Financial Times Group; Technology Bank of the Year at the
Global Reach Trade Finance Award by Nigeria Banking Technology Awards
Deutsche Bank; 2015 Financial 2015; Best Payment Bank of the Year,
Institution of the Year
Nigeria Banking Technology Awards
Petroleum Technology Association Of 2015; Best Diaspora Offering, Banker
Nigeria, (PETAN); Africa - West Africa Awards 2015; Best
Retail Bank Nigeria Banker Africa -
Best Bank in Nigeria, Global Finance West Africa Awards 2015

The FirstBanker 11

Gallery

1

23

4 56

1. ED/Chief Risk Officer, Abiodun Odubola; GMD/CEO, Dr. Sola Adeduntan; Olympic medalist and Africa’s fastest woman, Blessing Okagbare; DMD Designate, Gbenga Shobo at the
endorsement of Okagbare as FirstBank’s  Brand Ambassador recently. 2. A cross section of staff listening to Dr. Adeduntan, GMD/CEO at a Town Hall meeting at
FirstAcademy Lagos 3. Dr. Adeduntan addressing staff at a Town Hall meeting at FirstAcademy Lagos 4. A cross section of staff listening to the GMD/CEO at the Town
Hall meeting at FirstAcademy Lagos 5. Group Head, RBG, Makurdi BDO, Chuka Eze, presenting a gift to Esiolee Mena, during the FirstBank Corper Initiative Programme
at the NYSC Camp, Kubwa, Abuja. 5. FIirstBank Staff with winners at the FirstBank Corper Initiative Programme at the NYSC Camp, Kubwa, Abuja.
The FirstBanker 12

Gallery

12

34

5

67

1. Dauda Lawal, ED, Public Sector (4R) with FirstBankers at the recent Nigeria Economic Summit, Abuja 2. Group Head, Retail Banking Group, Calabar, John Iyoha with Prof Comfort
Ekpo, VC, University of Uyo and other principal officers at the FirstBank University of Uyo Endowment Chair in Petroleum Engineering 3. Head, CSR, FirstBank, Ismail Omamegbe; Vice
Principal (Academia), Meadow Hall College, Lekki, Mrs. Fatima Okeowo and Marketing Services Manager, FBN Holdings Plc, Tunde Lawanson at the FutureFirst Financial Literacy
day event, Meadow Hall. 4. Marina BM Folashade Tooki with winner during promo at the 2015 Trade Fair 5. Oze K. Oze, Head Corporate Publications & Conferences
with Beat 99.9FM's Toolz, Dapo Osobu and Emmanuel of Bestman Games in a partnership to promote financial literacy. 6. Managing Director, JNC International
Limited, Clare Omatseye; Group CEO Computer Warehouse, Austin Okere; Company Secretary, FBN Holdings, Tijjani Borodo; President, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Chief
Olusegun Osunkeye CON and Dean, Lagos Business School, Dr. Enase Okonedo at the 2015 Annual Conference on Corporate Governance, Lagos 7. Bukola Oluyadi, Head, Brands
Management, Olayide Tikolo, Brand Strategy Officer and Yewande Zacchaeus, MD, Eventful Limitedother guests on Channel sTV promoting the Fiesta of Flavours

The FirstBanker 13

Etcetera

My Favorite Holiday Destination duty was to ensure my movement to
the hotel location. Not later than ten
See Dubai and Die was the my friend the intention to travel and she minutes, other passengers and I were
commonest cliché used to was so happy she offered to include me in taken to our respective hotel
describe the 8th oil richest her “Family and Friends” slot which accommodations. On the second day,
country of the world and holiday resort attracted some rebate on tickets. All my holiday tour guide took me around
in the early 21st century. I often arrangements including hotel to see the popular Desert Safari, eye-
wondered what the fuss was about this accommodation, logistics and flight popping Gold-Suk, Emirates Shopping
Arab nation. bookings were set for my trip to Dubai. mall, Jumeirah beach and best of all, the
tallest and only seven-star hotel in the
My best friend who was working with It was a eight - hour trip from Murtala world – Burj Al Arab. I could not help
an international airline had just returned Muhammed Airport, Lagos to Dubai but take pictures of these sites so I
from the popular Dubai, United Arab International Airport, United Arab Emirates would have their memories with me.
Emirates and rang my phone on this where the plane landed at midnight owing to
fateful Sunday to gist about her vacation three hour time-difference. Instantly, I On the seventh day, it was time to
trip. “You must visit Dubai” she gushed beheld a magnificent airport incomparable leave this interesting city that everyone had
with excitement. to the best. Wow! Awesome indeed! After talked so much about and I was not
going through the immigration screening, exempt to say from then that Dubai is
At last the opportunity came for a one I was ushered into a waiting room by the indeed my favourite holiday destination!
week vacation and it could not be any very warm hotel representative whose
other place than Dubai. I announced to Story by EO, a FirstBank staff

The FirstBanker 14

Etcetera

‘All White’ wedding between Julian Etuokwu of M&CC Abiodun&Bridget Olusola Ajayi. Abiodun
and Dr. Bode Oludumila at Oniru Beach of Credit Risk Management

Wedding between Tiese Ekpo and Jide Aboderin of M&CC   Sowande Olusegun Kayode (RM, Ibafo)
and Olalekan Oluwatoyin Olaide

The FirstBanker 15

Etcetera

FORGET THE HEART,

LOVE IS A HEAD THING
You have heard that love is a heart thing
but there is not scientific evidence to coke addict's
support that wild claim. According to Dr.
William Eiler, of the Indiana University School of stash,
Medicine, when it comes to love, “all the heart
does is beat a little faster. removing your

“It's that 3 pound, grayish-pink gelatinous dearest from
mass resting snuggly in your skull that gives
us what we call “love”. you can lead

A 2015 study by Frontiers in Human to a sense of
Neuroscience says that love has the
capacity to remodel your brain. despair as

Using modern medical imaging technology, dopamine
researchers at Syracuse University reveal that
when a person falls in love, 12 areas of the levels
brain are involved producing several euphoria-
inducing chemicals. plummet.

Researcher Helen Fisher says when people Says Fisher:
who are in love focus on the object of their
affection, a whole host of brain parts start "No wonder
lighting up. The brain areas associated with
dopamine and norepinephrine production light lovers talk all
up. Both are brain chemicals associated with
pleasurable activities and excitement. night or walk

Norepinephrine, a chemical found in the till dawn,
brain and circulating throughout the body is
responsible for those pesky physiological write
effects that we experience when we are
around our cutie pie, such as an increased extravagant
heart rate that leads to that pitter-patter,
increased blood flow to your head and face your lunch is making a return visit. poetry and
that give you that splotchy, red “glow”, and
an emptying of the blood from your Thank norepinephrine also for its activation self-revealing e-mails, cross continents or
digestive system that makes you feel like of the sympathetic nervous system, better oceans to hug for just a weekend, change
jobs or lifestyles, even die for one another.
known as the fight-or-flight response. It's
Drenched in chemicals that bestow focus,
kind of comforting to know that the body
reacts to looking at that special girl/guy in stamina and vigor, and driven by the
the same way it would if you were face-to- motivating engine of the brain, lovers
succumb to a Herculean courting urge.”
face with a hungry zombie.
The second brain chemical involved in love Unconditional love, such as that between a
is the “pleasure” chemical, dopamine. When mother and a child, is sparked by the common
dopamine is released in the brain, you feel a and different brain areas, including the middle
portion. If these areas are damaged or not
sense of euphoria and pleasure. This
chemical is also responsible for addiction. working properly, it may lead to a lack or
Just like cocaine, being in the presence of unstable parental love and hence a
your sweetie can produce increased release dysfunctional family.

of dopamine in the brain giving you the See more at http://www.brainhq.com/brain-
warm fuzzies, and just like taking away a resources/brain-facts-myths/brain-in-love

The FirstBanker 16

SIX WAYS TO SPOIL Etcetera
YOUR HEART
The FirstBanker 17
Do you want to give someone your heart? Make
sure it is a good one. Here’s how:

Avoid salt
Reduce your salt intake, it raises your blood pressure and
puts extra stress on your heart. Try spices instead which
have extra health benefits. Cayenne pepper particularly
has been proven to help fight heart disease.

Eat less fats, cholesterol.
Saturated fats are found in prepared foods and animal
products like meats, milk, butter and eggs. Limit your red
meat intake and eat more soy protein and fish. Take more
fiber, go for fruits, vegetables, beans and whole-grain foods.

Pay attention to your gums
Stay on top of your oral hygiene. Avoid too much sugar.
Research shows that those with gum disease are twice
as likely to suffer with heart problems, because bacteria
from the mouth enters the blood stream and goes on to
damage the heart.

Work Out regularly.
Your heart is your most important muscles. To keep it
strong, keep working it! A 30-minutes walk, five days a
week can do wonders.

If you smoke: STOP.
Smokers have about a 70 percent higher death rate
from coronary artery disease than do nonsmokers. If you
don't smoke, do your best to avoid secondhand smoke.

Drink less alcohol
Too much alcohol can cause abnormal heart rhythms,
high blood pressure, damage to your heart muscle and
other diseases such as stroke, liver problems and some
cancers. So if you do alcohol, keep the volume low.

The FirstBanker

QUARTER 1, 2016

LEARNING TO STAY

IN DIALOGUE

ADDaEvGidBOYEGA “This time, I've had it up to here. You despite that, most people still display the
can fire me if you will!” Nasir worst attitude when it matters most. Those
THOSE MOMENTS WHEN exploded at Eze, his boss; this was moments when people blow the top are
PEOPLE BLOW THE TOP ARE some few minutes past 10 pm, a few most often crucial to progress for which
days to the Company closing for the they have been working hard all along. These
MOST OFTEN CRUCIAL TO year. Eze fired back “Nasir! You are…” The moments are trapped in dialogues.
PROGRESS FOR WHICH words refused to come out of his mouth
when, for a split seconds, he realized Learning to stay in dialogue, like any
THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING that Nasir was one of his best hands skill, must be learnt and committed to. Did
HARD ALL ALONG. who usually bends over back in ensuring it ever occur to you that staying in
they keep their customers happy. Eze dialogue is a vital skill? The starting point
looked at him, forced a smile out of his to staying in dialogue is to keep the
mouth and walked back to his office. corporate objective in mind and
consistently prevent communication (oral,
Nasir's outburst is people's most written or body language) from swinging
common style under pressure, which to the left (violence/fight) or to the right
breaks down communication. Every (silence/fright). 'Crucial Conversations' by
breakdown in communication in the VitalSmarts.com deals with this extensively.
workplace will tell negatively on the You should check it out.
partnership that needs to happen
internally in order to deliver exceptional Let's commit to stay in dialogue with
service to customers. Breakdown in our internal customers so we can achieve
communication in any facet of an the 'You FIRST' promise to our external
organization threatens the going-concern customers. Moments crucial to your
if not curtailed at the outset. success and that of the organization are
trapped in dialogues; so, dialogue right.
The billion dollar question, therefore, is
how to stay in dialogue regardless of Every day, a better way! Every day, a
pressure. It's common knowledge that better dialogue!!
one's attitude is one's altitude but
David of Product Promotion, P&MS, is author,
Sound Character: Maxim for Successful Future

The FirstBanker is published quarterlyy by the Marketing and Corporate Communications Department, First Bank of Nigeria, 35, Marina,
Lagos for internal use only. Contributions are welcomed from all staff. All contributions to [email protected].
The Team: Folake Ani-Mumuney . Oze K. Oze . Bukola Oluyadi, Funmilayo Falola
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