Speaking at the second reunion and 80th-anniversary celebration of Wema Bank, themed "Navigating the Intersection of Past, Present and Future – A Stakeholder-Centric Approach to Sustainability and Growth," Adebise emphasized that the bank's sustained relevance is a direct result of the dedication and efforts of its various stakeholders – employees, customers, shareholders, and partners.
The event, dubbed "Oluyole 2025," was organized by the Ex-Colleagues Group, comprising former employees of the bank, and took place at the Jogor Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.
Adebise highlighted the significance of the reunion coinciding with the bank's 80th anniversary, lauding the milestone as "eight decades of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to service." He positioned Wema Bank as a frontrunner in digital innovation within Nigeria's banking sector, noting its increasing focus on sustainability and robust stakeholder engagement.
"Our ability to stay relevant today is largely due to the efforts and dedication of stakeholders – our employees, customers, shareholders, and partners – who have contributed to making our bank a force to reckon with," Adebise stated.
He specifically urged both the bank's management and the Wema Alumni community to foster "deeper, more structured engagement," emphasizing the "immense value" residing within the network of former staff. He pointed out the decades of experience, regional understanding, and deep-rooted relationships possessed by these individuals, suggesting that this wealth of knowledge could continue to benefit the institution in various capacities.
Adebise advised against allowing this valuable expertise to remain untapped, advocating for its purposeful utilization through strategic engagement initiatives.
Echoing this sentiment, an Executive Director of the bank, Tunde Mabawonku, addressed the bank's ongoing capital-raising efforts. "In terms of capital raising, we have already started the process. The bank is a commercial bank with national authorisation," Mabawonku explained, highlighting the bank's presence in 27 or 28 states across Nigeria and its ambition for further growth.
He disclosed that based on Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) requirements, the bank needs an additional N130 billion in capital and has initiated a rights issue to raise N150 billion. The rights issue commenced on April 14th and is scheduled to close on May 21st.
Mabawonku expressed satisfaction with the response from existing shareholders, stating that "almost 95 per cent of them have made payments." He urged them to complete their verification processes to finalize their participation.
He further appealed to his former colleagues and other stakeholders to support the rights issue, emphasizing the opportunity to contribute to the bank's continued legacy while reaping the rewards of their past contributions.
Earlier in the event, the Chairman of the Ex-Colleagues Group Administration Team, Wale Adedapo, conveyed his gratitude to the current management of Wema Bank for their financial support and recognition of the group. He clarified that the primary objectives of the reunion were to foster interaction among former colleagues, provide an opportunity for celebration, and commemorate the bank's significant 80th anniversary.