Union Bank seeks new thinking, collaborations through Edu360

With the conviction that education remains pivotal in national development and advancement, Union Bank Plc, has called on stakeholders across the country to engage in new thinking and fruitful collaborations capable of revamping the sector..

The bank, which pledged to continuously seek ways of transforming the sector using its yearly education fair and exhibition “Edu 360” platform, maintained that the future is bleak for any nation that trades off education of its citizens for any reason.

The maiden edition of the event, held in Lagos with the theme “Investing in the future,” served as a platform for networking and collaboration among the sector stakeholders, which include teachers, parents, school owners, investors, students and other key participants who brainstormed on the goal of accelerating development and much needed investment in the sector.

Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, who spoke at the opening of the two-day event, reiterated the bank’s focus on education as a key driver of national development.

He said, “Edu360 is positioned to be the leading education platform in Nigeria, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders within the sector. We firmly believe that the private sector, working closely with the government and other stakeholders, can play a critical role in fast tracking solutions to move the sector forward. At Union Bank, we are committed to identifying sectors that are vital to shaping a better, sustainable future for Nigerians.”

Emuwa added that as part of the bank’s drive to upscale the workforce of the important sector, teachers from both government and private schools will be offered free training at the event and would also receive free teaching aids to support their work.

Managing Director of The Education Partnership (TEP) Centre, Dr. Modupe Olateju-Adefeso, who delivered the keynote address, spoke extensively on the linkages between education and national development, drawing examples from the health sector.

Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, was represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and the Governor of Lagos state represented by the Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh.

Speakers at the panel discussions included Olympic gold medallist, Enefiok Udo-Obong; award winning actress, Bikiya Graham Douglas; Special needs advocate, Angela Emuwa; Consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Yewande Oshodi and popular Nollywood actress and Producer, Kemi Lala Akindoju. They respectively asserted that education is crucial to human and national growth.