DECEMBERISSAVYBE: FIRSTBANK SPONSORS KAKADU THE MUSICAL (photos)

LAGOS – First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced its sponsorship of Kakadu the Musical, a theatre production from the stables of Playhouse Initiative.

The play, which is set to return to stage from 28 to 30 December 2023 at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, is among the activities lined up in the 2023 edition of FirstBank’s annual DecemberIssaVybe.

Written and produced by Uche Nwokedi, Kakadu the Musical is a reverberating drama of survival and hope that trails the journey of four friends from different tribes – Emeka, Kola, Osahon and Dapo alongside their female counterparts – Bisi, Amonia, Enoh and Hassana as they navigate a crisis that would change their lives forever.

Set in the 1960s Lagos against the backdrop of a famous club Kakadu, the award-winning play will run from December 28 to 30, 2023 at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos.

On the heels of its successful performances at the Nelson Mandela Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2017, Kakadu the Musical will thrill the Lagos audience with this nostalgic story that raises consciousness about friendship, humanity, love and nationalism.

Crafted with an emotional plot, Kakadu the Musical is a pulsating theatrical spectacle that blends Anglo-American soul, pop music with highlife, Afrobeat and Nigerian folk music.

Although Kakadu, as a nightclub, is a metaphor for Nigeria’s social reality between 1965 and 1972, the story still resonates with present-day realities.

Kakadu the Musical fuels our collective memory with the truth about the consequences of ethnic bigotry, corruption and abuse of power.

Through the plot structure, the playwright seeks to interrogate aspects of Nigeria’s history that obscures national unity.

While announcing the return of this box-office hit, the producer of Kakadu the Musical, Nwokedi remarks that musical promises to be exciting, reviving theatre patronage in the fast-paced city.

“Kakadu the Musical is like fine wine at 10. With the synergy of new and old cast members, the audience will enjoy a most exhilarating fusion of music, drama, fashion and dance.

“At Playhouse Initiative, we are keen on using these elements of arts to entertain and educate as well as to empower talented youths in the creative industry,’’ he said.

“We are excited to announce the return of Kakadu the Musical as the first of several activities lined up in our DecemmberIssaVybe bouquet this year.

“Kakadu the Musical is a successful export from Nigeria’s growing, admirable and globally renowned arts and entertainment industry.

“As a Bank woven into fabric of society for over 129 years, our First@arts initiative has played a pivotal role in the recognition of the abundant talents that abound in the country and we remain committed to being at the forefront of nation building; supporting through resourceful partnerships to build the Nigerian creative industry value chain which contributes to Nigeria’s GDP”, Folake Ani-Mumuney, FirstBank’s Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communication posited.

The FirstBank DecemberIssaVybe is a yearly campaign implemented to support the arts and entertainment sector in the country.

During the month, the Bank provides more opportunities and platforms for yet another eventful Homecoming Experience for Nigerians.

Foreigners are not left out as fun seekers are granted premium access to witness their favourite acts – live on stage and attend in-demand concerts and shows.
DecemberIssaVybe is all about memories.

FirstBank has made the 2023 DecemberIssaVybe exciting, as many of its customers and social media followers will not forget the year in a hurry due to the premium experience(s) of participating in various A-list concerts and events, including: Adekunle Gold’s musical concert, Livewire Concert Night of Queen; Asake’s concert, Street Souk at Harbour Point, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Super Family, A True Christmas Story.

To participate, all that is required is to register on FirstBank’s website https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/home/impact/sponsorships/events/decemberissavybe/ and follow the Bank’s social media pages – Facebook: First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Instagram: @firstbanknigeria.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is the premier Bank in West Africa and the leading financial inclusion services provider in Nigeria for 129 years.

With over 750 business locations and over 215538 Banking Agents spread across 99% of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, FirstBank provides a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services to serve its over 42 million customers.

The Bank has an international presence with subsidiaries operating in 9 other countries. These subsidiaries are FirstBank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FirstBank in The
Gambia, FirstBank in Sierra-Leone, FirstBank in the Republic of Congo, FirstBank in Guinea, FBNBank in Ghana, FBNBank in Senegal as well as a Representative Office in Beijing, China.

FirstBank is at the forefront of promoting digital banking in the country and has issued over 12 million cards, the first bank to achieve such a milestone.

The Bank has continued to make significant investments in technology, innovation and transformation, and its cashless transaction drive has been steadily accentuated with almost 22 million active FirstBank customers signed up on digital channels including the USSD Quick Banking service through the nationally renowned *894# Banking code.

FirstBank’s commitment to Diversity is shown in its policies, partnerships and initiatives, such as its employees’ ratio of female to male (about 39%:61%; and 32% women in management) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organization.

In addition, the Bank’s membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Women’s Women Empowerment’s Principles – Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.

Since its establishment in 1894, FirstBank has consistently built relationships with customers focusing on the fundamentals of good corporate governance, strong liquidity, optimised risk management and leadership.

Over the years, the Bank has led the financing of private investment in infrastructure development in the Nigerian economy by playing key roles in the Federal Government’s privatisation and commercialisation schemes.

With its global reach, FirstBank provides prospective investors wishing to explore the vast business opportunities available in Nigeria an internationally competitive world-class brand and a credible financial partner.

For six consecutive years (2011 – 2016), FirstBank was named “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” by the globally renowned The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group and “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” eight times in a row, 2011 – 2018, by the Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards.

Notably, in 2022, the Bank took a long stride on its growth trajectory with the Bank’s Viability and Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings upgraded to ‘B’ from ‘B-‘ (with Outlooks Stable) by Fitch, a leading global rating agency.

This is an indication of the Bank’s strong internal capital generation and the corresponding recession of its risks to capitalisation.

Fitch also upgraded the Bank’s National Long-Term Ratings to ‘A (nga)’ from ‘BBB (nga)’, to reflect its improved creditworthiness relative to that of other issuers in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the Top 100 African Bank Rankings 2022 released by The Banker Magazine revealed FirstBank’s ranking as number one in Nigeria in terms of Overall Performance, Profitability, Efficiency and Return on Risk.

Other laudable feats in 2022 include FirstBank’s international recognition on major indices by Euromoney Market Leaders, an independent global assessment of the leading financial service providers where FirstBank was crowned:

Market Leader: (tier-1 recognition) in Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR),
Market Leader: (tier -1 recognition) Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG),
Highly Regarded: in Corporate Banking and Digital Solutions,
Notable: in SME Banking.

Also, in 2022 International Finance Magazine named the Bank “Most Innovative Banking Product in Nigeria” and “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria”.

FirstBank was also awarded “Best Corporate Banking Western Africa, 2022” and “Best CSR Bank Western Africa, 2022’’ by Global Banking and Finance Magazine.

Other notable awards in FirstBank coffers include: “Best Bank in Nigeria” by Global Finance Magazine – fifteen times in a row; “Best Private Bank in Nigeria-2021” awarded by Global Finance magazine; “Best Internet Banking Nigeria” and ‘’Best CSR Bank Africa’’ by International Business Magazine.

In 2023, FirstBank received notable awards including “Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa 2023” by Global Finance Awards; “Best Sustainable Bank in Nigeria 2023” by International Investors Awards; “Best Bespoke Banking Services in Nigeria 2023” by International Investors Awards; “Best Financial Inclusion Service Provider in Nigeria 2023” by Digital Banker Africa; and “African Bank of the Year” by African Leadership Magazine.

According to the Bank, “Our vision is ‘To be Africa’s Bank of first choice’ and our mission is ‘To remain true to our name by providing the best financial services possible. This commitment is anchored on our core values of EPIC – Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation and Customer-Centricity.

“Our strategic ambition is ‘To deliver accelerated growth in profitability through customer-led innovation and disciplined execution and our brand promise is always to deliver the ultimate “gold standard” of value and excellence to position You First in every respect.”