Reiterating the financial transparency of the Government of Imo state, led by Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, PhD, has assured the Board of Directors, the Alternative Bank of Nigeria and the general public to feel free and secured to do business and invest in the state,.
Ekomaru stressed that the Governor and Government of Imo state has not only provided the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state but also run an honest and transparent financial transactions.
The Deputy Governor gave this assurance, Wednesday, when the Board of Directors of Alternative Bank visited her office in Government House, Owerri.
The Deputy Governor, who was delighted to receive the group promised them of the cooperation of the Governor and his Shared Prosperity Government, noting that the Uzodimma has vowed to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of the happiness and prosperity of the Imo people and as such, will welcome their ideas and services to the economic empowerment of Imolites.
“The Governor, because of the importance he placed on wealth creation and financial empowerment, has equipped and strengthened the Imo State Microfinance Bank, which is offering savings and current account services, transacting online banking businesses, offering Farmers’ Interest Drawback Loans (to assist rural farmers) and so on.
“The 3-R government is running a Single Treasury Account (TSA), where every government transaction is done through some designated banks and can also be done online.
“Imo state financial transactions, therefore, can be accessed from anywhere in the world because of the transparency of its operation and the commitment of the Governor to probity”, the Deputy Governor stated.
The Deputy Governor however, encouraged the Bank Directors to firmly stamp their feet in Imo state, the economic hub of the Eastern Nigeria.
She said, “make your bank office(s) in Imo state known by embarking on aggressive awareness campaign, detailed marketing and collaboration with the state’s relevant ministries, agencies and parastatals.
“Liaising with the state’s Ministry of Finance and Coordinating Economy will boost your ego and grant you quick stability in the state, while the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investment will assist you in sensitising traders and business men and women in the state. You can take advantage of the state’s Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Governance to expand the horizon of your internet banking services in the state”.
The Deputy Governor, while appreciating the group for their visit, reminded them to activate their bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility’s (CSR) Department and provide the citizens of the state, some social services and employment opportunities where and when necessary.
The Executive Director, South of the bank, Mrs. Korede Demola-Adeniyi, who led other Directors to the Government House, in her speech earlier, appreciated the marvelous work the Governor and his Deputy are doing in the state, as she expressed great delight on the level of infrastructural development by the Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration in the state.
Mrs Demola-Adeniyi informed that they came to firstly appreciate the Deputy Governor as one of the iconic women in power that deserves accolades and celebration, as the world still bask in the euphoria of the International Women Day celebration and secondly, announce their presence in the state for a partnership on infrastructural development and non -interest banking business.
Mrs Demola-Adeniyi explained that Alternative Bank is an independent financial organisation in the non-interest banking sector that offers both conventional and unconventional banking services.
She also hinted that the bank is a subsidiary of Sterling Financial Holdings and are already in 24 states, including Imo state, presenting to the people, special offers and solutions to support their dreams and financial aspirations with uniquely designed solutions, tailored to individual’s government’s and corporate needs.
The visit was witnessed by the Principal Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Pastor Chris Akushie, the Senior Special Adviser to the Deputy Governor on Administration, Lady Kelechi Nkwazema, the Director of Administration and Finance (DAF), Dr. (Mrs) Linda Ogbu, the Director of Accounts, Mrs. Kate Okorie and other principal officers of the Office of the Deputy Governor.
