subject: Skye Bank Wins Maritime Financier Award [print this page] Skye Bank Plc has emerged winner of the 2008 Maritime Nigeria Awards for "Maritime Financier of the year" in recognition of its contributions to the growth and development of the maritime sector in the country.
A statement released by the banks Head of Corporate Affairs department, Kayode Akinyemi, said the organizers of the awards arrived at the decision of the banks selection as winner after a careful and objective review of the nominations received without any financial considerations.
The statement further said that the objective approach adopted in arriving at the eventual winner "is in line with the avowed objective of the Maritime Nigeria Awards, which is to highlight and celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation, service delivery and overall excellence in the Nigerian maritime industry and its associated sectors".
About 60 per cent of the new ships acquired in Nigeria in the last two years were bankrolled by the management of Skye Bank Plc.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Akinsola Akinfemiwa, had stated recently at the opening ceremony of a bonded terminal owned by the National Clearing and Forwarding Agency acquired by Jorotom International, that the maritime sector was vital to sustainable development of the Nigerian economy.
Akinfemiwa said Skye Bank"s full understanding of the sector informed the reason why it has supported it over the years. The bank has injected over N15 billion into the maritime sector over the years.
Skye Bank has partnered with the US Ex-Im Bank and other foreign institutions to finance a number of projects in the maritime sector. Such projects include financing the acquisition of first Nigerian vessel to sail under the Nigerian flag from the US, financing of Maevis Limited"s automation of FAAN, N4.5 billion finance for acquisition and upgrade of National Clearing and Forwarding Clearing Agency, among others.
