First Bank Nigeria limited , Omu-Aran branch in Kwara State which was closed down in May 2013, due to armed robbery attack has re-opened and commenced rendering skeletal services to customers.
Festus Egbodofo, Business Development Manager of the branch in Kwara, had earlier announced in November, during the 2016 Annual Omu-Aran festival that skeletal services would soon commence in Omu-Aran branch of the bank.
Egbodofo, in his goodwill message, commended the people of Omu-Aran for their commitment to ensure adequate protection of lives and properties in the town.
The management of First Bank had in the last two weeks being renovating the bank’s building in Omu-Aran in readiness for banking operations.
With visitation and investigations by newsmen, the bank premises on Aperan Way on Wednesday shows that skeletal services had indeed commenced at the bank, as several customers were seen carrying out transactions.
A top official of the bank, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the development.
He said that the bank would operate skeletal services from 10 a.m till 12 noon for the time being until restoration of normal services.
“As you can see, we have started attending to customers, especially regarding re-activating of old accounts and opening of new ones,” the source said.
Oba Charles Ibitoye, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, in his reaction to the development, lauded the management of the bank for being sensitive to the plight of their customers since the indefinite closure.
“We are most grateful for the honour done to us by the management of First Bank by fulfilling the promise of re-opening the branch made during the last Omu-Aran Festival of Clubs.
Also speaking, Suleiman Atolagbe-Labiaka, an iron rod merchant, thanked the Olomu-in-Council and members of Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA) for ensuring the re-opening of the bank’s branch.
He said that the indefinite closure of the bank had impacted negatively on the socio-economic development of the community.
Bisi Adeyemi, High Chief and President, Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA), pledged that the association would support the management and staff to ensure uninterrupted services at the bank.
