1. It’s All About Celebrating You!
A WELCOME ADDRESS BY MR. BISI ONASANYA, GMD/CEO, FIRST BANK OF
NIGERIA PLC, AT THE 2010 FIRSTBANK BALL, EKO HOTEL & SUITES, VICTORIA
ISLAND, DECEMBER 3, 2010
PROTOCOL:
Distinguished Special Guests;
Fellow FirstBankers;
Ladies and gentlemen:
I am pleased to welcome you as we felicitate with one another this evening in the sixth edition of
our annual merit awards. Let me quickly explain that I personally requested that we fine-tune the
nature of this ceremony to be more staff-friendly. This is because I believe that after working so
hard for a whole year our staff deserve an unfettered opportunity to totally unwind in a suitable
environment devoid of any encumbrances. That's the major reasoning behind the change of
nomenclature to the FirstBank Ball, which incorporates the FirstBank Annual Merit Award
(FAMA). I have no doubt that going by the sneak preview I was opportune to glimpse, you will
sure have a great ball this evening. After all it’s about celebrating you.
About this time last year during the CAMA 2009 edition, we were regaled with lots of
performances by FirstBankers. Well, for this edition all I can say is “you ain't seen nothing yet”.
Tonight we are once again showing that FirstBank's got talent beyond our usual provision of
outstanding banking services. Someone has even suggested that considering the abundance of
diverse talents, we should establish a FirstBank Entertainment subsidiary.
Ladies and gentlemen, a lot of you have worked very hard for the continued success of the
Bank. We have made our stakeholders happy in various ramifications. For this I am particularly
grateful. You therefore deserve this opportunity to play hard. Too much of everything, however,
is a problem. I urge you therefore to reserve some energy for the rest of the festive season and
the year ahead.

2. Meanwhile, let me assure you that going by the outlook and strategic plans of Management for
the next financial year, it promises to be the best year ever, by the grace of Almighty God.
However, effort in the right direction is required to achieve our set corporate objectives. But we
are not anxious about tomorrow, as I am sure you are all equal to the task.
As we are single-minded on celebrating you tonight, it is not a time for a long speech. Let me
salute Mrs. Ayodele Jaiyesimi, Head Human Capital Management & Development and Mrs.
Folake Ani-Mumuney Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, as well as the Bankwide
team that has worked hard to deliver the enlivening ceremony we are enjoying today.
Please relax and share a wonderful time together as it is all about celebrating you.
May God bless FirstBank and may God bless Nigeria.
Bisi Onasanya
GMD/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Plc