The Greenwich Group, a financial solutions provider in Nigeria, is celebrating 30 years of operations where it delivered innovative financial solutions tailored to the evolving needs of stakeholders while contributing to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.
The institution, formerly known as Greenwich Trust Ltd, has transitioned from its early days as a financial adviser and issuing house into a Merchant Bank.
In March 2024, Greenwich Merchant Bank was granted an Approval- In-Principle (AIP) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a non-operating financial holding company structure. Today, Greenwich Merchant Bank is the most capitalised Merchant Bank in Nigeria, with an asset base of N146 billion as of June 30, 2024.
In commemoration of its 30th anniversary, the company hosted a dinner at the Grand Ballroom, Oriental Hotel in Lagos, to celebrate and appreciate its loyal customers and stakeholders who have been part of its journey, while rewarding 45 members of staff who have been instrumental to its success.
Amongst the awardees was a posthumous award for leadership, which was awarded to the late Sir Remi Omotosho with the sum of N50million. The best staff across the Greenwich Group, Mrs. Yakashim Shettem, also received the Kayode Falowo Award for Excellence which also went with a cash prize.
In his welcome remarks, Chairman of Greenwich Group, Kayode Falowo, expressed gratitude to God, appreciated the Company’s stakeholders, and noted that the dinner is part of the Group’s broader initiative to further appreciate its clients and recognise the efforts of the staff for their loyalty as it progresses to its next growth phase.
Speaking of some of the awardees, the Chairman said that Greenwich has continued to build on the legacy of the late Sir Omotosho’s good governance, integrity, and professionalism, as he was part of the journey of the Company while alive. He further explained that the recipient of the Kayode Falowo Award for Excellence, Shettem was honored for epitomising the core values of integrity, efficiency, innovation, loyalty, and transparency.
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, a special guest at the event, commended the Chairman of Greenwich for demonstrating exemplary leadership and commitment to excellence in his role for spearheading the remarkable traits that have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the Institution.
“We are celebrating the testament of the triumph of tenacity, which is predicated on faith, hope, and fortitude. Kayode is somebody who is dependable, reliable, and very consistent. Kayode upholds all the attributes of good governance. He has demonstrated himself to be a good manager of human and financial resources over the years. I am convinced that your best is yet to come,” he added.
In his vote of thanks, the MD of Greenwich Merchant Bank, Benson Ogundeji acknowledged the presence of the stakeholders, other distinguished guests, top executives of other banks, and valued customers. He emphasized the significance of the celebration, attributing the success of the past decade to the unwavering support and guidance of the Chairman which has been instrumental to the growth of the institution, the commitment of the Staff, and the unwavering faith of the esteemed Shareholders in the Company’s vision, as their continued patronage has been fundamental to Greenwich’s success.
Dignitaries who attended the event included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; Phillip Ikeazor, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability of the CBN; President and Chairman of the Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Professor Pius Olanrewaju; Kayode Fayemi – Former Governor Ekiti State; Haruna Jalo Waziri, MD/CEO, CSCS Plc and Dr Emomotimi Agama, DG, SEC.
Other dignitaries who attended the event included Mrs. Olufunke Agagu, the wife of a former Governor of Ondo State; Chief Pius Akinyelure, Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ray Atelly, Chairman, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) and many others.