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Taking
into consideration the importance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) to the economy, Heritage Bank Plc has continued to structure financial
inclusivity initiatives in empowering over 2000 female entrepreneurs towards
economic enablement and self-realization.
This
move is in line with the people-oriented policies of the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN), Heritage Bank Plc is partnering with a Non-Governmental
Organization, Prime Women Builders Foundation of Nigeria (PWOBFON) in providing
skills training to the female entrepreneurs.
At
the graduation ceremony/ certificate award ceremony held at Ikeja Local Government headquarters over the
weekend, the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo said the bank is keen in
cultivating real partnerships with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Sekibo,
who was represented by the Head, Brand Management & Sustainability Ozena
Utulu explained that the lender is interested in initiatives that encourage
people to start their own businesses and gradually grow them into
conglomerates.
According
to him, the partnership with PWOBFON is vital in many ways particularly in the
area of job creation, economic
empowerment and financial inclusion.
His
words: “apart from skills training, the
women have been told the importance of record keeping in business, savings
culture and the benefits of having bank accounts as a gateway to accessing
other financial services.”
He
said Heritage Bank has been a leading Nigerian bank with an excellent service
culture hinged on working with each customer to create a name, wealth and
heritage.
Also
speaking, President/Convener Prime women Builders Foundation of Nigeria, Kemi
Olofinkua applauded the bank for its support, and urged other corporate
organizations to take a cue from the lender in supporting grassroots women
empowerment.
She
explained that through the support from the Heritage Bank and the Ikeja Local
government, the women, based on their choices, have been equipped with 15
vocational skills covering event decoration, small chops making, baking,
pastries, bead making, computer training , soap making, makeup, tailoring,
digital marketing, Photography, hairdressing among others.
To
underscore the importance of women
empowerment, the CBN had earlier set aside 60 per cent of its N220 billion MSMED Fund for providing
financial services to women.
According
to Olofinkua, this training is important because when women are positively occupied,
the level of poverty will reduce and great achievements will be recorded not
only on the home front, but on several sectors of “our national life.”
“Heritage
Bank has been very supportive and our desire is to see participants of PWOBFON
Empowerment Day, doing great in their various vocations. Each and every one of
us must deliberately find something to occupy us and bring good profit. There
are lots of vocations that each and every one of us can excel in; so that we
will not be frustrated along the part of life,” Olofinkua stated.
The
executive chairman, Ikeja Local Government Development Council, Dr. Mojeed
Alabi Balogun, represented by his vice, Yomi Mayungba said the local government
is interested in the initiative because it is in line with its grassroots
skills training program . According to him, this is a way of keeping not only
women, but men also out of the streets.
He
disclosed that the first batch of trainees started from Ikeja and this is the
10th year anniversary. “The local government is delighted to partner with the NGO,
Heritage Bank and other interested parties,” Balogun said.
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