After nearly a century of creating positive social impact, Union Bank of Nigeria today announced the adoption of Maryam Alooma Muhktar Girls Secondary School, Kano, as part of activities marking this year’s Global Money Week.
Global Money Week is a worldwide money awareness celebration from Monday, March 14th, to Sunday, March 20th, 2016. The globally recognised initiative is aimed at engaging children on aspects of financial education including saving, creating livelihoods, gaining employment and entrepreneurship. The Bankers’ Committee of Nigeria has designated Thursday, March 17th, 2016 as Financial Literacy Day. The day has been marked to positively impact children and youth in primary and secondary schools nationwide by educating them on the basics of financial literacy and planning skills.
“At Union Bank, we recognise the significance of promoting Financial Inclusion in Nigeria. We have developed a range of banking solutions tailored to service the under-banked businesses, communities and individuals across Nigeria. With our extensive network of over 300 banking centres, we have demonstrated our continued commitment to serve the Nigerian public”, said Emeka Emuwa, Group Managing Director of Union Bank and Chair of the Financial Literacy and Public Enlightenment Sub-committee of the Bankers’ Committee. “Beyond this, we recognise that Financial Literacy is a key enabler in our quest for Financial Inclusion and that we must begin by ensuring that our children are properly empowered with a sound financial education”.
Union Bank formally launched the adoption of Maryam Alooma Muhktar Girls Secondary School with a visit to the school by executives and a team of Union Bank staff volunteers. The Executive Director, Commercial Banking Union Bank, Mr Kunle Sonola taught the students a module on Financial Literacy from a curriculum developed by Junior Achievement–Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation focused on educating children on economic matters.
Sonola noted that children need to know the importance of money, the significance of saving money and understand the negative and positive effects of managing their money. Adding that by the time they get into business in future they will be better businessmen and women.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Public Sector, Union Bank Ibrahim kwargana said there is need to equip Nigerian youths on how to handle and manage their finances.
Stressing that, it is only by banking their money, they can learn how to manage and put their money to good use. “Nigerian youths need to learn the lessons of managing the little money they have and how to make good use of them in future. This will no doubt, in the long run, reduce children waywardness, stealing, and other social vices”.
Meanwhile, the State Deputy Governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, who was represented by the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, (Min. Of Education, Science and Technology) Danlami Garba described the program as a wonderful initiative capable of ensuring a promising future for the youths.
The Bank will provide an on-going programme of Financial Literacy support for the school year, with Union Bank staff volunteers conducting periodic teaching sessions.
As part of celebrations within Global Money Week, Union Bank will also host students in a select number of branches across the country to an Open Day where the students will observe activities at the Bank as part of their Financial Inclusion activities.