First Focus Magazine

Ilese Day Festival Enhances The Spirit Of Oneness In The Community - Otunba Odegbemi

A chartered accountant with passion for industrial growth, Otunba Odegbemi Benjamin Odewale, has identified the annual Ilese Day Festival as an event that enhances the spirit of oneness in the community.

Responding to questions from a newshunt in his Ilese office, the Chief Executive Officer, Catland Microfinance Bank, stated that the bank is the destination of choice to investors, adding that Ilese Day Festival has enhanced commercial efforts in the community. Excerpts.

Q: Can you agree with the fact that Catland Microfinance Bank has continued to meet up with the expectations of its shareholders?

A: We thank God for his grace because he has been able to crown our efforts with success. Catland Microfinance Bank was established thirty-five years ago and we have continued to build on the mission statement of our founding fathers. Yes there are challenges and we have been able to look inward and strategize towards achieving growth and further instill confidence in our shareholders. We will continue to protect the interest of our shareholders and customers by declaring dividends and providing succour to our customers.

The training and retraining of staff is very key towards ensuring 21st century banking operation. We are committed towards ensuring the digitization of our services as this will go a long way to bring banking services to the doorsteps of the people. We have continued to provide our corporate social responsibility to our immediate environment by extension, putting smiles on the faces of the people.

Q: What is your view as regards the annual Ilese festival?

A: The annual Ilese Day Festival enhances unity in the community as indigenes of the community from far and near come together to celebrate with one another. The carnival group also entertained guests to add flavour to the event. Donations are made by dignitaries and the fund is judiciously spent to undertake projects that have direct impact on the people. The event encourages the spirit of oneness and togetherness. The economic value of the event is very imperative as medium-scale businesses smile to the bank as a result of high patronage. The youths in the community need to sustain this legacy with new innovations.

Q: What is your message to the people of Ilese?

A: I will like to congratulate the entire people of Ilese because Ilese is blessed with patriotic leaders and I am of the opinion that coming generations should emulate this lofty idea of selflessness to fatherland as this will further encourage tourists to attend the event.