By TAIYE OLAYEMI

Wema Bank has named 10-year-old Chimamanda Ozoakpata as the winner of its 2026 One-Day Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) Children’s Day initiative.

The bank disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the initiative formed part of activities marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebration.

Ozoakpata, Head Girl of Redeemers Foundation Nursery and Primary School, emerged winner after her one-minute video entry attracted more than 50,000 views.

According to the bank, she became the first female winner of the initiative introduced in 2025 to give children across Nigeria a platform to express their ambitions and gain practical leadership experience.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, said the initiative was designed to inspire children to pursue their aspirations with confidence.

“Our core is a deep commitment to inspiring children and showing them that they have what it takes to fulfil their ambitions.

“That is why we launched the One-Day MD/CEO initiative in 2025, giving children the opportunity to experience the leadership role at one of Nigeria’s oldest indigenous financial institutions,” he said.

Oseni described the response to the initiative as encouraging, noting that the bank decided to expand the opportunity following the success of the maiden edition.

“Today, I am delighted to hand over the reins of leadership to Chimamanda Ozoakpata as Wema Bank’s One-Day MD/CEO in celebration of Children’s Day,” the managing director said.

In her acceptance remarks, Ozoakpata thanked the bank for the opportunity and pledged to make meaningful impact in her temporary role.

“Thank you for trusting me with this opportunity and for supporting children to become financially smart and confident future leaders,” she said.

As her first official act, Ozoakpata approved three initiatives targeted at children and teenagers.

The initiatives include birthday cash gifts of N5,000 and N10,000 respectively for children turning five and 10 years between May 2026 and May 2027.

Also, a reward of N100,000 for the top 100 candidates in the National Common Entrance Examination, and the launch of the Evolve School Tour STEM Challenge for children and teenagers.

The bank said the rewards would be available to active customers operating Royal Kiddies Accounts for their children.

It added that highlights of the 2026 Children’s Day celebration also included the launch of the Wema Bank Money Adventures financial literacy book for children aged six years and above.

A reward of N500,000 cash was presented to three children during the event held at the bank’s headquarters on May 25. (NAN)

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