The Central Bank of Nigeria cancelled the Heritage Bank Plc’s operating license earlier in June 2024. The Ondo situation branch of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the current situation of the bank.
The group called on the Federal and the Ondo State governments to find a way to revoke the bank’s operating license at the conclusion of their meeting, which was held at the home of Afenifere’s National Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure on Tuesday.
The statement was signed by the apex bank’s acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Ali. The apex bank attributed the decision to the bank’s failure to comply with best practices.
The group asked the governor to set up contact with the federal government in order to revitalize all of the economic legacies left by the administration of the state’s first Executive Governor, the late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, especially the dormanr Heritage Bank.
The communiqué was read by the group’s state publicity secretary, Eric Oluwole.
The memo read, ” The Ondo State chapter of Afenifere held a meeting today (Tuesday) and resolved that the Ondo State Government should liaise with the Federal Government to revive all the economic legacies floated by the Adekunle Ajasin administration, the state should take necessary action towards the acquisition of heritage bank.
“The legacies include the licence of the Heritage Bank and we advise the Federal Government to reverse it ( the bank’s operating licence) to its original founding fathers that is the Ondo State Government. Other industries include the Ifon Ceramic Industry, Oluwa Glass, and Owena Motels among others
The organization also commended the state government for not relenting in its efforts on security, notably the Amotekun security which was founded by the former state governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
“Afenifere also urges the state government to continue the funding of Amotekun and other security agencies in the state.”
The Afenifere charged the residents of the state to take up farming in order to increase food production in the state in light of the nation’s food scarcity.
“Afenifere urges the people of the state to massively return to the farm and embark on aggressive planting to address the high rate of food shortage facing the state.”
