In a bid to deepen specialization and service delivery as well as strengthen its corporate governance culture, the Board of Directors of Nigeria’s largest lender, FirstBank of Nigeria Plc (FirstBank), has made five key strategic appointments to its business operations.

The new appointments, which fill vacant and new executive management roles, are made from experienced individuals within the organization. In an official statement, the Bank named the five officials as follows:
• Bayo Adelabu: Chief Financial Officer (Formerly Financial Controller)
• Bayo Adeleke: Head, Institutional Banking (continuing in his present capacity)
• Dauda Lawal: Head, Public Sector North (formerly Business Development Manager, Maitama Abuja)
• Gbenga Shobo: Head, Retail South (formerly Head, Products and Channels)
• Bernadine Okeke: Head Private Banking (formerly Business Development Manager, Lekki)

The appointees will be part of an enlarged management committee headed by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bisi Onasanya. Others in the committee are
• Alex Otti: Executive Director Public Sector, South
• Kehinde Lawanson: Executive Director Corporate Banking
• Yerima Ngama: Executive Director Retail North (formerly Executive Director, Public Sector, North)
• Remi Odunlami: Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer.

The appointments which take effect from October 1, 2010 are in tandem with the bank’s ongoing operations and service transformation to improve service quality and customer satisfaction.

FirstBank Strengthen ItsOperations, Makes New Appointments