Heritage Bank Plc, Nigeria’s Most Innovative Banking Service provider has rewarded
the winners of the rendition of the October 1st National Pledge in Pidgin English.
Heritage Bank Plc, Nigeria’s Most Innovative Banking Service provider has rewarded
the winners of the rendition of the October 1st National Pledge in Pidgin English in
celebration of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
The four patriotic Nigerians, who emerged as the winners are Idowu Ilesanmi (Lagos);
Christiana Chukwu (Lagos); Onovo Chukwuebuka (Edo) and Paul Eze (Abuja) received
cash prize of N250, 000 each.

HB OCT 1: L-R- Victor Amakwe, Group Head, Private Wealth Management; Christiana Chukwu; Idowu Ilesanmi, both winners in the social media challenge of recitation of National Pledge in Pidgin English; and Cynthia Ndukuba, Head, Head Office Compliance Assurance, Compliance and Transaction Assurance during N1million cheque presentations to four winners of the videos recitation of “National Pledge” in Pidgin English, in celebration of Nigeria @ 60th at the bank’s head office.
The bank slated an online competition for customers to make videos recitation of them
presenting the “National Pledge” in Pidgin English and the four best videos were
rewarded with total cash prize of N1million.
This was to commemorate the independence and inculcate patriotic spirit in the citizens
on the importance to reflect on the past, what led them here and the bright future that
awaits Nigerians.
Speaking on the reasons why they participated in the online pidgin language
competition, Ilesanmi, one of the winners said having being brought up in Benin City
where Pidgin English is natural to them and adopted by all and sundry hence, it was
golden opportunity to participate as a patriotic Nigerian.

HB OCT PIX 2: L-R- Victor Amakwe, Group Head, Private Wealth Management; Christiana Chukwu, winner in the social media challenge of recitation of National Pledge in Pidgin English; and Cynthia Ndukuba, Head, Head Office Compliance Assurance, Compliance and Transaction Assurance during N1million cheque presentations to four winners of the videos recitation of “National Pledge” in Pidgin English, in celebration of Nigeria @ 60th at the bank’s head office.
He commended Heritage Bank for the initiative, as Ilesanmi disclosed that the
information of the competition was sourced from a colleague’s page owing to the fact
that he was never a customer to the bank.
He advised that, young people should grab opportunities such as this which speaks to
something they would do and get rewarded for. “Anyone who is interested in things that
will encourage them to do what they have interest in, then Heritage Bank is where they
should be,” Ilesanmi stated.
Another winner, Christiana Chukwu also appreciated Heritage Bank for picking her as a
winner and she mentioned being fascinated with the Bank’s online applications in the
likes of HB Padie and *745#, which has made transactions easier and seamless to her
and other customers.

HB OCT PIX3: L-R- Victor Amakwe, Group Head, Private Wealth Management; Idowu Peace Ilesanmi, winner in the social media challenge of recitation of National Pledge in Pidgin English; and Cynthia Ndukuba, Head, Head Office Compliance Assurance, Compliance and Transaction Assurance during N1million cheque presentations to four winners of the videos recitation of “National Pledge” in Pidgin English, in celebration of Nigeria @ 60th at the bank’s head office.
In a statement by the Divisional Head, Corporate Communications/Product
Management, Fela Ibidapo said that the bank considered use of Pidgin English as a
marker of identity and solidarity, also as means to promote local content use of
language.
He affirmed that the importance of reciting the National Pledge in Pidgin English would
help invoke in every individual their national pride of love, devotion and sense of
attachment to out fathers’ land and alliance with every citizen who share same
sentiment.
This attachment could be a combination of different feelings relating to the
country in terms of socio-cultural, ethnic, political and historical interests.
He reiterated, “We are not just excited, but we are also reflecting on what our
commitment as individuals has been to our great country Nigeria. Looking inwards at
our journey over the last 60years, we believe as an institution that this is the best time to
reflect on the National Pledge and what it means to us as a Nation.”
To this end, Heritage Bank championed the movement to keep our commitment as a
nation by rewarding those who recited the “National Pledge” in various creative ways.














