President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former Group Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria, Dr Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, on his installation as the Balogun of Oyo.
Adeduntan will be formally installed on Saturday by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I.
Tinubu, in a statement on Friday, described the conferment of the traditional title as both an honour and a call to greater service to the Oyo Kingdom and its people.
The President urged the former bank chief to bring the discipline, strategic foresight and commitment to excellence that defined his professional career to his new responsibility.
‘As you assume this historic responsibility, I urge you to bring to the service of the Alaafin, the Oyo Kingdom and its people, the same discipline, strategic foresight and commitment to excellence that have distinguished your professional and public life.
‘Your installation is both an honour and a call to greater service. I trust that you will continue to deploy your experience, influence and resources towards promoting peace, opportunity, development and the preservation of our rich cultural heritage’, Tinubu said.
The President recalled Adeduntan’s distinguished career in banking and finance, which culminated in his stewardship as Group Chief Executive Officer of First Bank, one of Nigeria’s oldest financial institutions.
He noted that during his tenure, Adeduntan spearheaded a far-reaching transformation of the bank and strengthened its position in the country’s financial services sector.
Tinubu also acknowledged the former bank chief’s contributions to national development in enterprise, education and philanthropy.
He particularly highlighted Adeduntan’s service as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University.
The President further noted the interventions of the Adesola Adeduntan Foundation, through which the new Balogun of Oyo has invested in modern primary healthcare centres serving communities in Oyo and Ibadan.
He also acknowledged Adeduntan’s investments in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as part of his contributions to economic development.
Tinubu wished Adeduntan well as he takes up the traditional responsibility and expressed confidence that his experience and resources would support the Alaafin, the Oyo Kingdom, and the preservation of its cultural heritage.