• Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh (right) presenting letter of nomination as The Sun banker of the year to Managing Director, Parallex Bank, Femi Bakre. PHOTO: DELE ONATADE
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Parallex Bank, Mr. Femi Bakre, has described The Sun Awards as highly motivating, saying he would always cherish the honour of being one of the winners.
Bakre will receive The Sun Banker of the Year award for 2023 along 33 others, who will also be honoured with other categories of awards on February 17, 2024 in Lagos.
Bakre, who spoke when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, presented a letter nominating him as the banker of the year in Lagos, said that The Sun has consistently operated within ethical boundaries and has not only remained the voice of the nation but also the amplifier of the people’s concerns.
He said: “The Sun is the newspaper to beat. It has demonstrated professionalsim in everything it does. Its award regime has proved that it is dispassionate and thorough.
“From what you said about Parallex Bank, it means you always take your time to observe, research and to sift through the list of those to be so honoured. You do your due diligence very well.
“We were just doing our thing, not knowing that we will be singled out and be so recognised. It is a great honour and privilege.
“I’m personally humbled by the accolades for our bank. I dedicate the award to almighty God and my staff. If I face challenges, I’ll go back to this award nomination letter and get some motivation.”
Bakre gave assurance that Parallex Bank will continue to build a formidable culture that caters for customers’ needs and provide a platform for other financial institutions to ascend to higher levels.
He pledged to partner The Sun in the task of nation building.
In his earlier remarks, The Sun MD outlined the good works Parallex Bank is doing to support the finance ecosystem and the country at large.
He said that Bakre was chosen as the banker of the year because of the ingenuity he brought to bear as CEO of Parallex Bank.
Ukeh said: “Known in banking circle for your natural drive for excellence, focus and drive to achieve set objectives, you have made Parallex Bank a world of banking possibilities, with a reputation of being one of Nigeria’s foremost customer-centric financial institutions.
“You deployed uncommon skills to make the bank one of the technology-driven financial institutions in the country. The bank is also attractive to customers because of its value-added services like Zero Account Maintenance Fees, Free Interbank Transfers, Free Debit Cards, Unique Account Number and Five Free Interbank Transfers.
“In less than two years of its operation as a deposit money bank, Parallex Bank has shown strong signs of being a sustainable profitable bank. Your Medical and Students Loan, Salary Advance, Unsecured Business Loan of up to N5 million, electronic statements, and account reconciliation are more goodies you introduced in the budding bank.
“We are also aware that you have nurtured Parallex Bank in such a way that there is something for everyone. In Agency Banking, for instance, prospective agents of the bank are encouraged to break financial limits. The bank promises high commissions on account opening, proactive customer support, and many more.
“As a result of the substantial investments in digital technology, the bank is gradually becoming the preferred bank in the industry due to the efficiency, convenience, and reliability of its digital platforms.
“It is for these reasons and many others that the Board of Editors of The Sun Publishing Limited has chosen you as winner of The Sun Banker of the Year Award for 2023.”
Other people receiving The Sun Awards along Bakre are: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings; and Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Innoson Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Limited (Man of the Year); Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State (Governor of the Year); Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Prof. Awa Kalu, and Rev. Uma Ukpai (Lifetime Achievement Award); HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife and HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri, (Most Impactful Royal Father).
Others are Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara State governor and Founder, Ajike People Support Centre (First Lady of the Year); Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections (Political Icon of the Year) Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, Chairman/CEO, Richland Property and Homes Limited, Lagos; Chief Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze), Chairman, Diamond Leeds Ltd and Chief Peter Oge Obih, Chairman, Sea Map Group of Companies (Businessman of the Year); High Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, Chairman, Pinnatech Engineering Nigeria Limited; Dr. Oludare Akande, Chairman, Bellagio Airlines Limited and Dr. Jayne Onwumere, MD, Property World Africa Network (PWAN) Group (Investor of the Year); Dr. Uche Ogah, President, Masters Energy Group, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu, Chairman, Tiger Foods and Chief James Uzuh, Chairman, J_Jumac Industries Ltd (Industrialist of the Year); Chief Ikenna Okafor, Chairman, Kevs Global Leasing Ltd; Lady Adaora Umeoji, DMD, Zenith Bank Plc and Archbishop Dr. Emeka Agwu, President, Voice of Evangelism International Houston, Texas, USA (Humanitarian Service Icon); and Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chairman, Tantita Security Services (Courage in Leadership Award).
Yet other award winners are, Mr. Robert Azibaola, Founder; Zeetin Engineering Limited; Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Mr. Charles Odii, DG, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) (Public Service Award); Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO, Wema Bank and Mr. Femi Bakre, Managing Director, Parallex Bank (Banker of the Year); Bukola Olopade, MD/CEO, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd. (Sport Personality of the Year); Lady Ngozi Ezeonu and Tobi Bakre (Nollywood Icon of the Year).