Diamond Bank has once again confirmed its position as one of the leading financial institutions in Nigeria by clinching the award of the Best Oil and Gas Investment Company in Africa by World Finance Magazine.

In a press release issued by the Head of Corporate Communications for Diamond, Mrs. Ayona Aguele-Trimnell, she said, "As a bank, we are honoured to receive this award as it further shows our commitment and support for the development and growth of the Oil and Gas Industry over the years. As one of the leading banks in Nigeria, Diamond is committed to working with industry leaders to ensure that the energy sector is developed rapidly by lending full financial support to this all-important sector."

The prestigious award was presented to the bank at the World Finance Awards in London recently. Every year the World Finance Magazine recognizes industry leaders, individuals, exemplary teams and distinguished organizations, which it believes represent the benchmark of achievement and best practice in a variety of fields.

Diamond Bank, which recently unveiled its new identity and corporate logo, had after a critical overview of the Oil and Gas industry, taken strategic steps to strengthen its presence and relevance in the industry. The Bank's Oil and Gas group was therefore restructured into four business lines -Oil and Gas Upstream, Oil and Gas Downstream, Maritime & Oil Services and Power; to enable the group put more focus on deepening and growing relationships with the major local and foreign operators in the industry.  

The World Finance magazine is a London based journal that reports on banking, wealth management, investments and strategy. It has since 2007 celebrated the achievements, innovations and brilliance of various companies in its annual awards.

It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan recently launched Orient Petroleum's Anambra River Production Facility in Aguleri Otu. The facility, which is the first ever production facility of oil from an inland basin in Nigeria, has Diamond Bank as the lead financier.

"While we have been recognized as the market leader in the retail sector of the Nigerian Banking industry, this award has served to demonstrate our market leadership in the Oil and Gas sector as well. This is an important milestone in our effort to become the top full-service bank in Nigeria. We are not unaware however of the challenge that this award poses but are convinced that Diamond shall continually perform excellently to honour this", concludes Mrs. Trimnell.



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