Lagos: A 12-year-old boy, Master Chiderije Mbah, emerged as the winner of the Wema Bank One-Day Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) Initiative, assuming leadership of Wema Bank Plc in celebration of Children’s Day.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative is aimed at celebrating potential, leadership, and the possibilities of the next generation, attracting numerous entries from aspiring young leaders. The bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Moruf Oseni, highlighted that the initiative was designed to showcase young talent and inspire leadership ambitions among children across Nigeria. Oseni praised Mbah’s courage and foresight, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to rewarding talent by donating his one-day salary for May 27 to the young leader.
Oseni emphasized Wema Bank’s dedication to lifelong empowerment, captured in the bank’s creed, ‘With You, All The Way.’ He underlined the importance of empowering children today to lay the groundwork for a better Nigeria and a more inclusive financial sector. Participants in the initiative were required to submit video pitches detailing their ideal role in the bank, with Mbah’s submission standing out for its clarity and passion for leadership.
On the day of his takeover, Mbah was warmly received at the bank’s head office in Lagos. He engaged with key management members and made executive decisions, gaining firsthand experience of a CEO’s responsibilities. In a symbolic ceremony, he received the MD/CEO insignia from Oseni. Mbah’s first act was to announce four special rewards aimed at empowering Nigeria’s youth, including free ALAT Xplore Personalised Debit Cards for teenagers and additional benefits for new and existing account holders.
Expressing gratitude, Mbah stated, “I am very grateful to Wema Bank for trusting me with this great opportunity. I have had the best day experiencing Wema Bank from within as the one-day MD/CEO for Children’s Day, and I wanted more children to enjoy like I have.” He launched special rewards to help children and teenagers save, learn, and grow their dreams through Wema Bank.
