Finance

Kristalina Georgieva, John Kerry Discuss How to Turn Climate Ambitions Into Action

Published

3 years ago

April 8, 2021

As the world emerges from COVID-19, there is renewed impetus to tackle climate change. Ahead of COP26, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva joined U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry to discuss how to turn climate ambitions into action while creating vibrant and inclusive opportunities as part of the transition to the new climate economy as part of IMF and World Bank Group’s Spring Meetings.

“Climate change is a growing risk to macroeconomic stability and to financial stability. But also with the same token climate action, investment in clean technologies and in climate resilience generate green growth and green jobs. This is what the IMF is all about. Stability, employment, growth. And this is why climate is now in the DNA of our institution, at the heart of our work, as we engage in policy discussions with our members. We look at how they can have more successful mitigation and adaptation strategies. As we look at financial stability, we measure climate related financial stability risks and we act on data because good data make good policy,” said Georgieva.

Secretary Kerry shed a light on the new opportunities for jobs and growth a new climate economy would create

“It’s pretty basic economics. The fact is that there is incredible job opportunity, the creation of new jobs in the investments that need to be made in order to deal with the climate crisis. Let me give you an example. The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States says there are three jobs that will grow more than 50 percent over the next year. Number one is wind turbine technician. Number two is nurse practitioner; we know why that’s happening. And number three, a solar panel installer. It’s happening now. The market is already moving. It’s moving away from coal. It’s moving to renewables to alternative sustainable energy,” said Kerry

Managing Director Georgieva stressed on the ways in which the IMF can direct membership countries towards a greener future through Programs especially set for vulnerable countries to help them step up through good policies and fiscal space to make sound investments.

“It is hugely important that we recognize dealing with the climate crisis means mitigating, bringing emissions down, but also adapting. We need to walk and chew gum at the same time. And unfortunately, you’re so right, many countries that have done very little to nothing to create this problem are suffering the consequences. This is why it is paramount for the wealthy world to deliver on the promise of a hundred billion dollars a year between now and 2030 to help the developing world accelerate the transition to low carbon, but also adapt. And for us at the IMF, what it means is that we look at ways in which we can help these countries. And in fact, our preoccupation is with adaptation strategies. What can be done for countries to have the financial buffers so when they are hit by shock, they can act and have the means to invest in resilience,” said Georgieva.

She also added that the COVID-19 crisis is proof to how vulnerable the world is to shocks and that collaborative efforts is our way out to a more resilient world.

“We have seen in this pandemic that we are vulnerable to shocks and what is ahead of us is a more shock prone world. To build resilience to the shocks, we ought to invest in people, so they are healthy, educated, protected in tough times and resilient. We have to invest in nature. So, nature is resilient. And of course, we have to continue to invest in the resilience of our economy. I think that the pandemic has put an earring on our ear and it is don’t joke with nature. It also told us we are in this together. We have to work together to get to a more resilient world,” said Georgieva.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Banking Sector

Adesola Adeduntan’s Early Departure Prompts First Bank Holdings to Scrap Capital Raise Plans

Published

5 hours ago

April 20, 2024

Samed Olukoya

First Bank Holdings Plc has decided to scrap its plans for capital raise following the early departure of its Managing Director, Adesola Adeduntan.

The decision to cancel the extraordinary general meeting (EGM), which was planned to discuss the proposed N300 billion capital raise, comes amidst Adeduntan’s resignation from his role, eight months before the scheduled expiration of his tenure.

The bank formally announced the cancellation of the EGM in a filing seen by Investors King on Friday.

The meeting, which was initially scheduled to be held virtually on April 30, 2024, aimed to seek authorization from the company’s members for the capital raise and address other related matters.

Adeduntan’s resignation, announced on the same day as the cancellation of the EGM, comes as a result of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s tenure requirements affecting bank executives.

In his retirement letter addressed to the Chairman of First Bank, Adeduntan expressed gratitude for the support received during his stewardship and highlighted the strides made by the bank during his tenure.

He stated, “During this period, the bank and its subsidiaries have undergone significant changes and broken new grounds. We have repositioned the institution as an enviable financial giant in Africa.”

Adeduntan further mentioned his decision to pursue other interests, prompting his early retirement effective April 20, 2024.

The cancellation of the capital raise plans shows the impact of Adeduntan’s departure on the bank’s strategic initiatives.

It reflects a shift in priorities for First Bank Holdings as it navigates leadership changes and seeks to chart a new course for its future direction.

Banking Sector

First Bank MD, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, Resigns to Pursue New Opportunities

Published

5 hours ago

April 20, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan - FirstBank CEO - Investors King

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the Managing Director of First Bank Nigeria Limited, has announced his resignation from the bank after nine years of leadership.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of First Bank, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale, Dr. Adeduntan expressed his decision to step down voluntarily, effective April 20, 2024, to pursue new opportunities.

Having served as the CEO since January 1, 2016, Dr. Adeduntan’s tenure has been marked by significant transformations within the institution. Under his leadership, First Bank and its subsidiaries have undergone substantial changes, positioning the bank as a formidable financial powerhouse in Africa.

In his resignation letter, Dr. Adeduntan highlighted the achievements made during his tenure, stating, “We have repositioned the institution as an enviable financial giant in Africa.”

He expressed gratitude to the board of directors of First Bank and FBN Holdings Plc for their support throughout his stewardship.

Dr. Adeduntan’s decision to resign comes as he approaches the end of his contract, which was set to expire on December 31, 2024.

He stated, “After which I would no longer be eligible for employment within the bank.” Despite his departure, he wished the institution continued success and progress in its evolution.

Throughout his career in banking and finance spanning over three decades, Dr. Adeduntan has been recognized for his contributions and received numerous awards.

He holds a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, and an MBA from Cranfield University, United Kingdom, and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Dr. Adeduntan’s departure marks the end of an era for First Bank, as the institution prepares to transition into a new phase of its evolution.

His leadership has left a lasting legacy of transformation and growth, and his contributions will be remembered in the annals of the bank’s history.

Banking Sector

UBA America Strengthens Commercial Diplomacy, Hosts Diplomats, Others at World Bank Summit

Published

23 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Samed Olukoya

UBA America, the United States subsidiary of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc hosted diplomats, government officials and business leaders to a networking reception in partnership with the esteemed Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and the U.S. Department of States in Washington DC on Monday .

The event which was held on the sidelines of the ongoing IMF World Bank Spring Meetings was organised by the BCIU and US Department of State to enhance collaboration and fortify commercial diplomacy among nations, institutions and individuals.

Speaking during the event, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, noted that the bank’s co-hosting of the event via its American subsidiary, underscores its commitment towards cultivating robust relationships within the development communities in the United States.

He said, “As a distinguished member of BCIU, a non-profit organisation providing customised commercial diplomacy services, UBA Group and UBA America share BCIU’s vision of actively pursuing strategic opportunities, contributing to global economic cooperation, deepening of economic diplomacy, facilitating ideas, forging partnerships, and adding value for all stakeholders.”.

“Our resolve to co-host this Networking Reception symbolises our dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth and partnership across borders. By leveraging platforms like this, we can collectively address shared challenges and seize opportunities for sustainable development,” he stated further.

BCIU is a non-profit Association comprising of policy experts, strategic advisors, and trade educators, and offers bespoke commercial diplomacy services to the world’s governments and leading organisations, from Fortune 100 companies to global investors and multilateral institutions.

Only last year, the CEO UBA America, Sola Yomi-Ajayi, was appointed to the Board of BCIU, where she collaborates with fellow board members to ensure the organisation operates in alignment with its by-laws and New York 501(c)3 non-profit legislation.

Yomi-Ajayi has been committed to nurturing long-term organisational growth and sustainability, thereby reinforcing the bond between UBA America, BCIU, and the broader international community.

UBA America is the United States subsidiary of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions with presence in 20 African countries, as well as in the United Kingdom, France, and the United Arab Emirates. UBA America serves as a vital link between Africa and the global financial markets, offering a range of banking services tailored to meet the needs of individuals, businesses, and institutions.

As the only sub-Saharan African bank with an operational banking license in the U.S., UBA America is uniquely positioned to provide corporate banking services to North American institutions doing business with or in Africa.

UBA America delivers treasury, trade finance, and correspondent banking solutions to sovereign and central banks, financial institutions, SMEs, foundations, and multilateral and development organizations. Leveraging its knowledge, capacity, and unique position as part of an international banking group, the Bank seeks to provide exceptional value to our customers around the world.