The Borno State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ali Modu Sheriff has commended the efforts of Diamond Bank Plc in encouraging savings culture in the country through its Diamond SavingsXtra campaign in which several customers of the Bank have won various life changing prizes.

Speaking at the official presentation of star prize of N50 million to Mss Habiba Musa Saliu, the winner of the second Half Year Diamond SavingsXtra Campaign in Maiduguri, Borno State capital on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, the State Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Adamu Dibal, commended Diamond Bank Plc for initiating the campaign which he said is a good step in the right direction. “There is no better way to say that your Savingsxtra campaign is good than commending the board and management of your bank for considering it wise to plough back some percentage of your profit back to your customers,” he said.

Dibai further stated that the campaign will surely encourage savings culture in the society which in future assists in easing off the financial needs of the people, adding that the Bank should try to sustain the drive and diversify the commendable scheme so it can reach out to the unbanked.

“It gladdens our heart to note that the emergence of Habiba is as a result of her savings culture virtues even as an under graduate student. Hers is a good example to our youths. I urge them to embrace the habit of saving. Her emergence is a happy moment and encouraging development for the government and good people of Borno State”, he stated.

He encouraged the people of Borno state in particular and Nigeria in general to embrace the banking culture in their conduct of business and commercial activities, stressing that it is always advisable to save for the raining day.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Emeka Onwuka thanked the people of the state for being part of the presentation ceremony which was the highest ever prize money to be won in a promotion by an individual in Nigeria.

“This event further reaffirms Diamond Bank’s commitment to continuously seek to reward its loyal customers and in the process improve their lives. Recall that the Savingsxtra promo was introduced last year and since then several customers of the bank have smiled home; on a monthly basis, with a wide range of life changing prizes including cash, cars, generators, air conditioners  and a lot more. However, today’s event is Xtra special as we celebrate the second winner of our grand prize of N50m,” he stated.

Onwuka further stated that he recalls with excitement the traces of disbelief in Habiba’s voice when the Bank called him up immediately after the draw to inform her of her new status. “What makes it more interesting is the fact that Habiba has heard of the promo and was looking forward to wining someday. It is therefore my hope that everyone present here today to witness this historic event would tell others; not privileged to be here, about the good things happening at Diamond Bank,” he stated.

He stated that over the years, Diamond Bank has remained committed to providing value added services to its customers and supporting them to achieve their goals. “This is evident in the rich array of innovative products and services we have consistently placed at the disposal of our customers. It is not just a one off promo but a continuous life changing experience to our valued customers,” he said.