The Chief Executive Officer of First Bank, Olusegun Alebiosu, has highlighted poverty eradication as a pressing concern that should keep world leaders up at night.

Alebiosu said alongside poverty, climate change and gender inequality are equally pressing issues that demand attention and action.

The First Bank CEO said in a recent interview with Arise TV on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

Alebiosu stressed that poverty, in all its forms, stems from lack of access and resources, saying finance is the most critical factor in combating poverty in the 21st century.

“The easiest way to get out of poverty is access to finance,” he noted.

Some of the important discussion topics during the UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit according to Alebiosu included innovative financing, sustainable financing, and the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity.

He stressed the critical need to develop human resources to tackle the widening economic gap between developed and developing nations.

“This emphasis on human resource development echoes the United Nations’ focus on sustainable development and equality, particularly in areas such as gender equality, climate action, and living wages,” the First Bank boss added.

Alebiosu expressed his vision for the future, saying: “First Bank will further be entrenched into the fabric of the society, earning a place in the hearts and minds of Nigerians as a giant advocate for economic development in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”

The UN Global Compact Leaders’ Summit is an annual day-long conference that empowers private sector leaders to drive sustainable development and advance the 2030 agenda.

The event provides a unique platform for business leaders, UN officials, government leaders, SDG stakeholders, and civil society professionals to converge and explore innovative solutions with actionable insights.

The Star