First Bank Gives Reasons for Partnering YouTube for ‘A Heart on the Line’ project

Raheem Akingbolu

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, has stated that the bank’s commitment to showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to the world was the reason behind the sponsorship of the YouTube series ‘A Heart on The Line’.

Alebiosu, who stated this at the premiere of the Blue TV Series, recently, in Lagos said the move was made to demonstrate First Bank’s commitment to supporting the arts and entertainment industry in Nigeria.

The managing director, who was represented by the bank’s Group Executive, Private Banking and Wealth Management, Mr Idowu Thompson, described the movie, ‘A Heart on the Line” as a thought-provoking one, that has its thematic thrusts woven around love, family, and resilience.

“It also discovers the true meaning of love, family, and sacrifice,” the bank’s chief executive stated.

He added that the bank’s decision to support the project also stemmed from the need to reach out to the younger generation and create a meeting point for the old and new generations.

Alebiosu stated further that the series, currently on YouTube, may be distributed on other platforms in the future.

On the motivation for the bank’s commitment to Arts, Alebiosu explained that the arts and entertainment industry represents a significant contributor to the Nigerian economy, with the film industry alone contributing $600 million to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2021.

He, therefore, believed the bank’s latest support would create employment opportunities within the sector, enable it to contribute its quota to the nation’s GDP, and put Nigeria on the global Arts and Entertainment map.

In her remarks, the film producer, Ms. Abimbola Craig, commended the bank for making the movie a reality by funding the production, noting that the support would go a long way in enhancing the success of the movie, and Nigeria’s entertainment space.