Mutfwang, First Bank Join Forces to Drive Plateau's Economic Development

In‎ a statement by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere PhD, Plateau State Governor, His Excellency, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has called for deeper collaboration between the Plateau State Government and First Bank of Nigeria to accelerate economic development, particularly in agriculture, mining, energy and rural development.

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‎The Governor made the call when the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.

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‎Intimating Governor Mutfwang on progress made so far, Alebiosu said the bank was interested in supporting agriculture and rural development in Plateau State, while exploring opportunities in energy, including solar power and power plants, as part of efforts to stimulate economic development.

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‎He said the bank was also willing to support the mining sector and other productive activities, stressing that sustainable economic development required a strong partnership between government and the private sector.

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‎“It is partnership and we need to get those things done,” noting that while investments in areas such as power generation could be driven by the private sector, government had a critical role in creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

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‎The First Bank MD, who commended the Governor for the initiatives being undertaken despite the security challenges confronting the state, said the bank was determined to deepen its relationship with Plateau and contribute to economic empowerment.

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‎He disclosed that First Bank has 11 branches located in Plateau State, urging the state to give the bank the opportunity to do more in supporting its economic aspirations.

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‎Responding, Governor Mutfwang commended First Bank for its transformation over the years, describing the development as evidence that innovation and a willingness to embrace change could produce remarkable results.

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‎Mutfwang further challenged First Bank to consider immortalising the historic legacy of its Terminus branch, which he said was associated with the banking history of former British Prime Minister, John Major.

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‎The Governor also urged the bank to deepen its relationship with Plateau communities, particularly through support for microfinance institutions, saying this would help expand access to financial services, expertise and guarantees for people at the grassroots.

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‎Governor Mutfwang recalled the bank's contributions to Plateau, including its corporate social responsibility intervention for patients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, and encouraged the institution to make such interventions more sustainable.

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‎He said the state was ready to strengthen its partnership with First Bank, but expressed concern over the difficulty of accessing affordable developmental financing, particularly for agriculture and infrastructure.

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‎“We can't expect upscale production as a nation if we are not able to provide the right financing structure for agriculture,” the Governor said, stressing the need to move beyond consumption to production and processing.

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‎Governor Mutfwang expressed hope that First Bank, through its participation in the Bankers’ Committee and other platforms, would contribute to developing financing mechanisms capable of supporting increased production, processing and economic growth in Plateau State.

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