PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Guaranty Trust Bank fetes Nigeria’s first Mansion House Scholar

Miss Basirat Olufunmilola Giwa is the first Nigerian to be granted a Mansion House Scholarship by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Ian Luder. Miss Giwa, who joined the Financial Control Group of the bank in 2004, left as Senior Banking Officer a few months ago to pursue a Masters Degree Programme in Finance and Investment at the University of Exeter, United Kingdom.

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She was adjudged the best out of over 600 Nigerian contestants to join an elite few, as the overall number of scholarships awarded through the scheme since its inception in 1998 is about thirty-four.

At a reception held in her honour at the bank’s head office in Victoria Island, Lagos, General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, GTBank plc, Mr. Demola Odeyemi in his opening remarks said Ms. Basirat Giwa was an enduring example of the strength of the human spirit even in the face of daunting circumstances. “This young lady has risen and excelled, perhaps in spite of, or despite whatever unique challenges she may have encountered on her life’s journey and that is worth celebrating,” he stated.

In attendance were representatives of the British High Commission and the Lagos State governor, as well as top management staff of GTBank plc, including the Deputy General Manager, Communication & External Affairs, Mrs. Lola Odedina.

An obviously elated Basirat insisted her success was tied to the organization, saying “for me, being a part of the Guaranty Trust Bank Family redefined the words integrity, excellence and possibilities. Its record of transforming ordinary human beings to extra ordinary human beings remains unbeatable.”

Each year, the Lord Mayor of London visits a country and thereafter, a citizen of that country is chosen from a rigorous selection process. The prestigious Mansion House Scholarship Scheme allows young students or business executives to attend an academic course at a British University or to undertake a training course or business attachment in London, studying in the financial services sector. Generally, grants are in the region of £5,000 to £8,000. Considering the foregoing, it was no surprise that there was an outpouring of accolades for 30-year old Basirat, who hails from Offa in Kwara state.

In her response, she thanked all present, adding that “the scholarship has changed my perspective. I now know that the world has a habit of making room for the man whose actions show that he knows where he is going.”

Basirat Oluwafunmilola Giwa had her primary education at St Josephs’ Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin. She later attended Federal Government Girls’ College, New Bussa, Niger State, subsequently bagging a B.sc in Economics and an MBA from the University of Ilorin. She recently qualified as an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA).

Communication & External Affairs Group

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