Ebonyi, CBN Offer Traders, Workers N2bn Loan at 2%

By Adedapo Adesanya

**As Apex Bank Absorbs First-Class Graduates of Economics

Ebonyi State Government has disclosed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has undertaken to all first-class graduates of Economics from the south eastern state.

This was according to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ebonyi State, Mr Uchenna Orji, who disclosed this at the state capital, Abakaliki during a joint press briefing on the outcome of the week’s State Executive Council Meeting.

Mr Orji, who recently took up the position, following the sack of Mr Kenneth Uhuo, announced that the gesture was extended to the state as a reciprocation of the state Governor, Mr David Umahi’s effective engagement of the CBN in economic empowerment of her citizens.

“Because of the way the Governor engaged the CBN, the CBN graciously approved to absorb all First-Class indigenes of Ebonyi State origin in Economics to work with the bank.

“So, anybody who has a first-class degree in Economics is now an automatic employee of the prestigious Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner further said that the central bank has also signed an agreement with the state government for an offer of N2 billion.

He maintained that the fund which would attract 2 percent interest rate and would be offered to artisans, traders, civil servants and the less privileged, among others in the state.

“The fund would be housed by Zenith Bank, which would ensure that it was disbursed in line with the terms of the agreement, while the Ministry of Human Capital Development was to liaise with the Department of Small and Medium Enterprises to ensure effective implementation.

“This is no mean feat and it should be appreciated by all and sundry and it is also an encouragement to our students so that they can work harder to have this kind of opportunity,” he added.

Recently, Governor Umahi had reshuffled his cabinet barely a month after he announced his cabinet.

Mr Orji became the new Commissioner for Information and Orientation, leaving his post as the state Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring.

The Commissioner’s vacant position was then taken over by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Stephen Odo, while a university lecturer, Dr. Onyebuchi Chima, was sworn-in as the new Commissioner for Education at the Executive chamber, government House, Abakaliki.

Governor Umahi said the minor reshuffle took immediate effect.