The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday presented a Certificate of Approval to the First Bank Group for the construction of its iconic 43-storey eco-friendly headquarters in Eko Atlantic City.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his Special Adviser on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, and General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), Arc. Gbolahan Oki, presented the Certificate of Approval to the Chairman, FirstHoldCo, Mr. Femi Otedola, and the CEO, FirstBank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the bank headquarters at Eko Atlantic City.
Speaking during the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended FirstBank Group for its leadership and vision, praising the financial institution’s courage and audacity to build a 43-storey skyscraper, set to become Nigeria’s tallest building.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while commending the development of Eko Atlantic City as a model for Africa, praised President Bola Tinubu for taking a bold step during his tenure as Governor to turn the Atlantic Ocean known as Bar Beach into Eko Atlantic City.
The Governor said he had seen several investments come to the Eko Atlantic City but believes that the First Bank headquarters is the investment that will change the future of the city.
He said: “Just yesterday (Tuesday), we laid the foundation for Lagos Financial International Centre. We told ourselves that we want to set Lagos on a trajectory that it would be the envy not only in Africa but the entire world. We want Lagos to be the centrepiece of finance and commerce out of Africa.
“It would be Africa’s model mega city that is safe, secure, and willing to take the mantle of leadership also in the financial sector. And less than 24 hours after the meeting, Mr. Femi Otedola has brought us here (Eko Atlantic City) to begin the realisation of a Lagos International Financial Centre.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while commending the audacity of Femi Otedola, the board and management of FirstBank Group in building the bank’s headquarter in Eko Atlantic City, charged other financial institutions to follow suit.
“This is a clarion call to other big financial institutions. FirstBank, as usual, has been the first bank in our country to lead the road; it is now time for all of you to follow suit. I am ready to do the groundbreaking. I will create enabling environments for investors to bring their investments into Eko Atlantic City,” he said.
The groundbreaking event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; business magnates, Gilbert and Roland Chagoury, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Femi Otedola, Dr. Deji Adeleke, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, and Senator Daisy Danjuma, among others.