Why we’re harping on empowerment, kindness — First Bank

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, has said the bank will keep harping on showing kindness and driving empowerment.

Adeduntan who stated this at a webinar on education tagged “Does Kindness have a role?” on Wednesday, said every year, the bank holds projects under the SPARK (Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness) initiative while encouraging people to show kindness to others.

He also said the webinar is one of the activities that mark the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) Week of the bank.

“At FirstBank, empathy is at the core of our brand promise and we care about the mental wellbeing of every individual. There is no gainsaying that a mentally balanced student will perform excellently and make a wholesome community.

“If we all assume the role of kindness, the world will become a better place to live in starting from our own immediate circle,” he noted.

Commissioner of Education in Lagos state, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, urged people to give people from the strength they have. “And so that is why I will give more of my service rather than physical things,” she noted.

Another resources person, Prof. Elizabeth Grant of the University of Edinburgh, UK, noted that there was great gain in making kindness a way of life, and that it entails compassion, civility and charity especially at a time when suffering is prevalent among people.

Prof. Ken Amaeshi of the University of Edinburgh, UK, said, promoting kindness in educational institutions is about building a culture that would reflect in the society.

Dr. Maymunah Kadiri of the Pinnacle Medical Services, said being emotionally present is key in showing kindness, noting that “what you don’t have, you can’t give.”