Pan-African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the promotion and elevation of about 2000 of its work force, representing about 17% of total staff strength across the group.

A UBA official said that this is in recognition of the remarkable contribution the staff members have made to the bank’s business growth as highlighted by the impressive performance recorded in its recently released 2017 financial year end results.

The announcement, which came on Monday, “is especially heartening in the face of the numerous economic challenges faced by major financial institutions on the continent, most of whom are yet to recover from the impact of the recessive business climate that rocked many companies in 2016 and a greater part of last year,” the official said.

“It is important to note that about a year ago, the bank had promoted 3,000 staff members, 25% of its workforce, while also doling out cash rewards to deserving staff for exemplary conduct and performance that year,” he further said.

The announcement by the Management of UBA, which was mentioned in a recent survey as one of the “Best 100 Companies to Work for in Nigeria” has been greeted with joy and enthusiasm by the workforce of the bank.

The affected staff that cut across all units, divisions and 19 countries where UBA operates were selected after the completion of appraisal system that identified high performers in the bank among other criteria.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, in an e-mail to staff of the bank described the promotion as ‘dividends of hard work’. He added that with the recent proclamation of UBA as the African Bank of 2017 by the Banker Magazine; as well as the ranking as Best of Bank of the Year in Cameroun, Congo Brazzaville, Senegal and Tchad, it is only right to recognise, reward and celebrate the performance of the staff who have worked tirelessly to achieve this.

Uzoka charged staff to continue to embody the UBA’s core values in their endless quest of delivering excellent services to both internal and external customers of the bank.

“I congratulate all for their well-deserved elevation. I also wish to especially thank those colleagues who have not made it on this year’s list. I implore you to keep up your contribution, as your efforts are recognised. There are several other ways that we will continue to reward and recognise your contributions and we intend to use all opportunities to demonstrate this,” he said.