The Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commissioned the first-ever commercial bank branch in Esan Central Local Government Area, marking a significant milestone in expanding financial inclusion and economic development across Esanland.
The governor also commissioned solar-powered boreholes provided by PremiumTrust Bank as part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at improving access to clean and sustainable water for residents of the Irrua community.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Governor Okpebholo commended the leadership of PremiumTrust Bank for investing in Edo State and bringing modern banking services closer to the people of Esan Central.
The governor recalled that shortly after he was sworn into office in 2024, one of his first official assignments was commissioning PremiumTrust Bank’s first branch in Benin City. He described the bank as one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in Africa and expressed confidence that residents of Esanland would embrace its services.
“I am delighted to witness another important milestone with PremiumTrust Bank. After commissioning your first branch in Benin City shortly after my inauguration, today we are opening another chapter in Esanland. This investment will promote financial inclusion, create opportunities for businesses, and stimulate economic growth. I believe the people of Esan will patronize the bank, and I look forward to seeing PremiumTrust Bank establish branches in other local government areas across Edo State,” the governor said.
Governor Okpebholo further applauded the bank for complementing the efforts of his administration through projects that directly improve the lives of the people, including the provision of solar-powered boreholes for the community.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PremiumTrust Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Efe, appreciated the governor for his commitment to the development of Edo State and reaffirmed the bank’s readiness to partner with the state government.
According to him, the Irrua branch is the bank’s 31st branch nationwide, reflecting its rapid expansion and commitment to bringing quality banking services closer to Nigerians.
“Your Excellency, one of your first official assignments after your inauguration was the commissioning of our first branch in Benin City. Today, we are proud to commission our 31st branch here in Irrua. We are committed to partnering with your administration to support development across Edo State,” he said.
Mr. Efe praised Governor Okpebholo’s achievements in security and infrastructure, noting that they have created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He explained that PremiumTrust Bank is committed to delivering easy, reliable, and seamless banking services while empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Esanland.
“We are bringing easy and reliable banking services to the people of Esan. Beyond banking, we are also launching a community water project through the commissioning of solar-powered boreholes. Our goal is to create real opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents while contributing to the overall development of the area. We thank God Almighty for making today’s event a reality,” he said.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by top government officials, political leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders, and executives of PremiumTrust Bank, all of whom described the event as a landmark achievement for Esan Central and Edo State.