In a significant move aimed at fostering economic development, a management team from the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Auchi Branch, paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, His Royal Majesty Engr. Michael Eshioronoya Olorufemi Sado.
The visit, which took place on Thursday, was led by Mr. Kasimu Eshemogie, Branch Manager, served a dual purpose: to congratulate the monarch on his recent ascension to the throne and to seek his royal blessings for a renewed business partnership with Okpella community.
Central to the discussions was the consideration of the return of UBA to Okpella after an absence of many years. Mr. Eshemogie stated that the primary factor in the decision to return would be a concrete guarantee of security for the bank’s operations and staff.
Addressing the monarch directly, Mr. Eshemogie began by conveying the bank’s congratulations. “We want to congratulate you for your ascension to the throne,” he said. “We have the confidence that you are not only young and vibrant to pilot the affairs of the community, we know you have all it takes to lead and succeed.”
He continued, “We are also here to seek your blessing as we navigate the business environment. Although we have no branch, we have been able to provide the necessary platforms for our customers in Okpella to operate seamlessly.” He then clarified the procedure for reopening, noting, “We don’t need CBN approval to return”, if we have security guarantee.
In an interview on the sidelines with the PALACE WATCH, Mr. Eshemogie elaborated on the bank’s current strategy, which has heavily relied on technological solutions to serve the community in its absence. He pointed out that the area is a significant industrial hub, hosting major companies, and that UBA has deployed robust digital platforms to allow them to conduct all their banking remotely.
“They can sit down where they are and do all their businesses, including with their customers”.
“We also deployed technology to the customer such that we gave them codes. Now they can just walk through any bank in the country and make payment on a platform. Nobody goes into cash, in line with the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria”, he explained.
In his response, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella was direct in his assessment of the community’s needs. He argued that, despite the prevalence of internet banking, many in his people still lack access to it. The monarch also emphasised the growing commercial activity in Okpella, which is fast becoming a commercial hub for Edo North. He believes a standard bank is essential to serve the financial needs of the community and is more profitable for all parties involved.
To pave the way for this, the king detailed the extensive security measures he has championed, including the establishment of a Police Area Command and the deployment of state-trained vigilantes to ensure absolute safety. He also spoke of ongoing investments in infrastructure to spur fast development.
He said: “This is a village setting, not the city where you have access to Internet banking. In a rural community, it’s not like that. What Okpella needs right now is a physical bank”.
He reassured the UBA team that his primary mission was to ensure a secure environment for businesses to thrive. “We have started putting up security measures to ensure that the community is safe for banking operations,” the monarch said, revealing that he had already taken proactive steps by instructing his palace secretary to write to UBA’s headquarters.
Furthermore, he disclosed that other banks had already agreed to establish a presence in Okpella and offered his direct support to UBA. “We will encourage the companies in Okpella to have accounts with you,” he pledged. Ending on a poignant note, he emphasised the community’s urgency, saying, “My people have suffered enough and we can’t allow that to continue.” The monarch provided his personal assurance of ultimate security, promising to protect the bank’s business and personnel from any and all threats.
In response to these points, Mr. Eshemogie found the king’s arguments compelling. “What he has said is quite germane, and there is also wisdom in it,” he conceded. “Despite the security challenges which we have both seen and understood… we will convey this to the management on the physical presence of banks in this environment, in line with his vision. We will do that and hope to see something very soon.”
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