Mohamed Samura, the newly appointed Managing Director and CEO of the United Bank for Africa , the first Sierra Leonean to attain such a position in the bank, on Thursday, 16th February 2023 paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Finance at his George Street office, in Freetown.
Introducing the new MD to the Minister, the outgoing Managing Director, Usman Imam Isiaka, stated that he has completed his service in Sierra Leone and is pleased to hand over to a young dynamic and competent Sierra Leonean in the person of Mohamed Samura.
He continued that UBA is the United Bank for Africa and not for Nigeria, which is why he said, they are grooming citizens to run the bank’s affairs in the different countries they are operating.
Usman Isiaka continues to state that Samura has the capacity and experience to excel in his new role and therefore solicits the cooperation and support of the Government and people of Sierra Leone.
The Minister of Finance, Ahmed Sheku Fantamadi Bangura congratulated the new MD on his appointment and committed to continue to work with the bank.
He stated that the role is a big one but also expressed confidence in his competence and experience.
Minister Bangura encouraged him to be supportive of the Government and to come up with innovative ways of collaboration, especially in the areas of regulatory challenges and debt market re-engineering.
The New Managing Director and CEO, Mohamed Samura in his response, thanked his predecessor and assured him of doing his best with his 17 years of experience in the banking industry to build on the gains already made by the bank.
He assured the Minister of Finance of continuing the collaboration with the Government, stating that they are looking for innovative ways to support the Government and contractors.
“I know I am not only representing myself in this role but also Sierra Leone, and if I succeed, it will open doors for other Sierra Leoneans” he added.
Similar sentiments of congratulations and commitments to support were expressed by the Deputy Minister of Finance Bockarie Kalakoh and Financial Secretary Sahr Lahai Jusu.
