By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB) reaffirmed its commitment to fostering meaningful connections and advancing social causes during a special visit to First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, on Thursday, November 28, to celebrate her birthday. The Bank’s delegation, led by Managing Director, Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, presented a thoughtful birthday gift to the First Lady at her office in Goderich, Freetown, which was met with heartfelt appreciation.
In a touching statement, First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, expressed her gratitude, saying, “It was a truly special moment as I had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Gilpin and the staff of Rokel Commercial Bank. The thoughtful gift they presented in celebration of my birthday reflects their generosity and the strong bond we share. It’s moments like these that remind me of the importance of collaboration and fostering meaningful relationships to drive progress and development.”
The visit was not only a birthday celebration but also a testament to the Bank’s values of collaboration, inclusivity and community support. Dr. Gilpin’s leadership was praised by the First Lady, who described him as a “brother” with exceptional qualities. She further acknowledged Rokel as one of her favorite financial institutions, emphasizing the respect and cooperation between the Bank and her office.
“This gesture reflects the generosity and strong bond of respect that Rokel Commercial Bank consistently upholds,” remarked the First Lady.
Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin highlighted a significant achievement for Rokel Commercial Bank, the recent appointment of its first female Director, a milestone that underscores the Bank’s dedication to gender inclusivity and the promotion of women in leadership roles. The First Lady expressed her admiration for this commitment, noting the prominent presence of female staff among the delegation.
“Rokel Commercial Bank is setting a powerful example for other institutions by ensuring gender balance and inclusivity in its workforce,” she said.
In her remarks, the First Lady also took the opportunity to call for continued efforts to raise awareness of critical health issues, specifically prostate cancer. She urged Rokel Commercial Bank and other stakeholders to support these efforts, stressing the importance of encouraging men to talk about prostate cancer despite the stigma surrounding the disease. “Men are suffering in silence and many homes are losing their fathers because of the stigma attached to prostate cancer. We must begin to speak about it and encourage early diagnoses, as early detection can save lives,” she said.
The First Lady also touched upon the rising prevalence of cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa, pointing out that after malaria, cancer has become one of the biggest health threats. She shared her plans for an awareness event at the Golf Club on Saturday, inviting both men and women to participate in a discussion about prostate cancer. “This is no joke; it’s a very big deal and we must all come together to talk about it,” she added, also mentioning that she would encourage His Excellency the President to attend.
Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin’s leadership and Rokel Commercial Bank’s continued efforts to support social causes were further celebrated by Mrs. Jajua of Rokel Commercial Bank, who concluded the event with a heartfelt prayer for the First Lady, the Bank and the ongoing awareness campaign.
With this gesture, Rokel Commercial Bank continues to position itself as a leader in corporate social responsibility, earning recognition not only for its financial success but also for its dedication to advancing social issues and contributing to Sierra Leone’s overall growth.
