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, Mr Ifie Sekibo, said the bank is keen in cultivating real partnerships with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Mr 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, Ms 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 Ms 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,” Ms 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,” Mr Balogun said.
Dipo Olowookere 
Aduragbemi Omiyale