By Yakubu LAAH InvestAdvocate
Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)-Nigeria’s rescued lender, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (UBN) said last Friday as part of this year’s Global Money Week, it adopted Uyo High School, Oron Road, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria to promote financial inclusion.
“The adoption is in furtherance of a wider bankers’ committee initiative to promote financial inclusion in Nigeria by providing financial education to schools across the country,” a statement from the bank said.
“Union Bank remains firmly committed to the achievement of financial inclusion in Nigeria and we recognise that financial literacy is a key step in achieving this,” Emeka Emuwa, group managing director of the bank said.
Emuwa who is also the chairman of the financial literacy and public enlightenment sub-committee of the bankers’ committee, affirmed their believe in making investments that empower, build and support the development of Nigeria’s large youth population.
“Providing our young ones with a proper financial education will enable them to make sound financial decisions and become good stewards of resources in the future,” Emuwa added.
He taught a number of the students a lesson on “Growing Your Money “. The lesson was taken from a special financial literacy curriculum developed by Juniour Achievement Nigeria – a non-profit organisation focused on educating children about their economic environment – and covered topics on savings, investments and protecting one’s money.
The Global Money Week is a worldwide money awareness celebration from Monday, March 9, to Tuesday,March 17, 2015. The initiative is aimed at globally engaging children on aspects of financial education. The bankers’ committee in Nigeria designated Thursday March 12 as Financial Literacy Day 2015. The day is being marked to focus attention on children and youth in primary and secondary schools nationwide and to empower them by enhancing their financial knowledge and planning skills.
In the same vein, Union Bank on Wednesday, March 11, also participated at the financial literacy Fair and exhibition organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja.
According to the lender, the purpose of the fair was to give visiting students an opportunity to meet with banks and engage them on their products. “To support a banking and savings culture among children and young adults, Union Bank has developed a number of products such as its UnionKids, UnionTeens and UnionVibe accounts,” the lender added.
