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Tag: grassroots

  • Grassroots movement mobilises for President’s re-election

    Grassroots movement mobilises for President’s re-election

    All Progressives Congress Grassroots Movement for Tinubu has begun mobilising in Ondo State, declaring President Bola Tinubu deserves a second term.

    It said Tinubu’s reforms stabilised the economy and prevented its “total collapse.”

    State Director-General, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, spoke at the inauguration of the movement’s ward and local government executives in the Northern Senatorial District.

    The events, in Okeagbe, Ikare, Ishua, Oka, Ifon, and Owo, drew party leaders, women and youth groups, and stakeholders.

    Yusuf-Ogunleye said the group’s statewide mobilisation was aimed at consolidating support for the President ahead of 2027, describing the Tinubu administration as one already producing “visible results.”

    “We’ve informed our people about what Tinubu has achieved in two years. We’ve also given reasons why he should be re-elected,” he said.

    He said holding multiple local inaugurations instead of a central ceremony in Akure was a strategic effort to strengthen grassroots participation.

    “Politics is local. We want to take this message to the doorsteps of our people. Instead of bringing everyone to Akure for a jamboree, we decided to go to each local government, speak their language, and let them feel our presence,” Yusuf-Ogunleye said.

    Read Also: Grassroots group rallies behind APC

    The GMT Director-General also commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for what he described as his “consistent support” for the group and for promoting the development of Ondo State at the federal level.

    The group’s State Secretary, Rasheed Badmus, said Ondo State had benefited from the Tinubu administration through ministerial appointments and federal infrastructure projects.

    “Tinubu is the first president from the Yoruba extraction who is doing so much for his people. Ondo State got two substantive ministers under his government, and our roads are receiving federal attention. These are clear indicators of his commitment,” Badmus stated.

    The newly inaugurated GMT executives pledged to intensify efforts in grassroots sensitisation and mobilisation across all wards and communities in the Northern Senatorial District.

  • Council chairmanship aspirant unveils vision for grassroots development

    Council chairmanship aspirant unveils vision for grassroots development

    The Secretary to the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), vying for the chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming local council election, Tayo Oyemade has unveiled his vision for grassroots development.

    Oyemade stated that he would focus on infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, and improved healthcare for residents in Yaba.

    Speaking at the formal launching of his campaign recently at the Akinwunmi Youth Centre, Yaba, Oyemade acknowledged the federal government’s increased revenue allocation for local governments, stating that with proper management, Yaba LCDA is well-positioned to accelerate grassroots development.

    Read Also: Jay9 League set to kick off, aims to boost grassroots football, youth development 

    “My core agenda includes expanding access to healthcare, creating employment opportunities for the youth, integrating digital technology into primary education, and providing affordable housing, particularly for the elderly”, he said.

    Oyemade pledged to collaborate with non-governmental organizations, private sector investors, and development partners to drive sustainable growth in the community.

  • Minister affirms commitment to grassroots dev’t

    Minister affirms commitment to grassroots dev’t

    • Thrilled over Ajegunle Maracana Stadium 

    Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has been thrilled with the new-look Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle, describing it as a showcase and showpiece for grassroots sports development in the country.

    The Maracana Stadium boasts of 18 football pitches and two dormitories for now while the construction of other facilities like swimming pool, table tennis hall, tennis courts among others are still ongoing.

    The Minister toured the facility alongside the Oniru of Iru, HRH Abdulwasiu Omogbbolahan Lawal; Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA Fatai Ayoola; Olu of Iwa and Apapa kingdom, Oba Mohammadu Oluwa; Lagos State Commissioner of Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende as well as the chairman of the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, Chief Yemi Idowu and other dignitaries.

     “The Maracana Sports Complex for me is both a showpiece and showcase and this is the way our sports should go,” he said.“ I now understand why people kept talking about this place. It’s also quite astonishing that you can find something positive, something that you can showcase to the rest of the country located here at Ajegunle speaks quite volume.”

    Read Also: Obasanjo cautions youths against high-interest agric loans

    He added: “This shows what you can achieve by having sufficient will, commitment and passion. I mean this complex provides an opportunity for young kids to come to engage, be happy and to play goodwill. This is the future for our sports development policy and I thanked Yemi Idowu, I thanked the chairman of this Local Government who has been very supportive and when we talk about promoting Private Public Partnerships, this is it.”

    “ I have been told how much the Lagos State Government has provided the enabling environment to get this happen. So, when you have the government making things happen and you find willing people who have passion to develop the sport. This became the product of that kind of partnership and cooperation.”

    In his remarks, HRH Lawal, who initiated   the citing  of the edifice in Ajegunle, lauded the efforts of the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation for keying into the idea, while also commending the minister for visiting the edifice.

    Idowu on his part, said the construction of the facility was made possible following the support and cooperation of the host community.

    “We are very grateful to have the Sports Minister here and all the dignitaries. Ajegunle is a lovely place and I’m so proud we have this facility here. I love Ajegunle and the reason we chose here is because Ajegunle has got the heartbeat and the children are here. They are ready and they have received us. Everyone has been part of this and that is why it had to be Ajegunle,” Idowu said.

  • Tola Ore-Aruwaji: From grassroots to global tech impact

    Tola Ore-Aruwaji: From grassroots to global tech impact

    From humble beginnings to the forefront of global technology, Tola Ore-Aruwaji’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. Yet, an innate curiosity and unwavering determination propelled him forward.

    While initially pursuing an Electrical and Information Engineering degree at Landmark University, Tola’s true calling lies in building thriving developer communities. 

    Self-taught through online platforms, he mastered programming, cloud engineering, and the fundamentals of Artificial intelligence. This self-directed learning journey laid the foundation for his successful tech career.

    Tola’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident during his time at the Landmark University. Tola was selected from a pool of over 5,000 students and served as the Google Developer Students Club (GDSC) Lead at his university from 2019 to 2020. During their tenure as GDSC Lead, Tola cultivated a vibrant community of over 3,000 software development enthusiasts. 

    Through a robust program of over 30 events and meetups, they fostered a passion for coding and the Google Cloud Platform among their peers. Tola’s collaborative leadership style and unwavering commitment to student success resulted in a highly engaged community and exceptional achievements.

    ​​Building on this success, Tola expanded his horizons by joining Microsoft as his university’s Student Partner program lead. As a leader, he organised hackathons, championed Microsoft tools, and mentored fellow students. 

    Recognising their exceptional contributions, Tola was honoured with the prestigious Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador role. Beyond technical expertise, Tola is a dedicated social entrepreneur. As Campus Director for the Landmark University chapter of the Hult Prize, where he helped inspire over 1,000 students to address critical energy challenges. 

    Read Also: ‘Abiodun advocate of grassroots development’

    With a growing reputation as a “developer crusader,” Tola became a sought-after speaker at prominent tech events across Africa. His infectious enthusiasm and expertise inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in technology and led to a role at CTO.ai, an AI-first technology company helping developers and enterprise businesses measure & automate cloud delivery with DevOps as a Service.

    As a Developer Relations Engineer at CTO.ai, Tola is instrumental in bridging the gap between technical knowledge and clear communication for global startups. His work empowers developers to harness the full potential of CTO.ai tools, contributing to the creation of exceptional digital experiences.

    Tola’s story is a beacon of hope for aspiring developers in Africa. His journey exemplifies the transformative power of education, self-belief, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. As he continues bridging the gap between African talent and global tech companies, Tola is shaping the industry’s future and inspiring a new generation of innovators.

  • Group hails Fayemi’s commitment to grassroots growth

    EKITI Unity Forum has lauded Governor Kayode Fayemi for his efforts and exemplary leadership that have brought socio-economic growth to the state.

    The group said the transformation agenda of Fayemi-led administration has nurtured a democracy promoting grassroots growth.

    It added that the administration has rebuilt the state’s infrastructure in a bid to make life better for the masses.

    The group stated that it was encouraged by Fayemi’s giant strides in governance, capital and infrastructural growth.

    A statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Sunday Ilori, in Ado-Ekiti, on Saturday, said Fayemi’s approach to governance has made it possible for the people to witness new lease of life.

    Ilori added that the second term of Fayemi has been a divine blessing for Ekiti State, saying the governor has turned the moribund fortune of the state around through people-oriented policies.

    He harped on the need to give the governor the needed support to deliver, saying Fayemi’s rescue mission and transformation agenda could only be achieved through people’s cooperation.

    “Fayemi is in thick of action to restore Ekiti lost core values and ensuring the unity of Ekiti, irrespective of political inclination and religion affinity.

    “He has fantastically performed within his four months in office with laudable policies put in place to accelerate the standard of living of the people.

    “Life has become better for the civil servants, pensioners and the common man on the street. Salary and pension are being paid at regular interval without any delay.

    “Those comparing Fayemi with other governors that have ruled Ekiti State are missing the point.

    “Truly, it is crystal clear and evident that his rare leadership style could be liken to that of Awolowo, the progenitor of progressive politics in Nigeria,” Ilori said.

    He, therefore, urged the Ekiti people to be more committed to the governor’s rescue mission and transformation agenda.

  • 2019: Atiku launches Grassroot movement group

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar has launched a grassroots group as part of the preparation for the 2019 presidential election.
    The support group called ‘Atikulate Grassroot Movement’ (AGM) while inaugurating it’s members over the weekend urged Nigerians to embrace a positive attitude.
    Speaking on why the group was created,  the Grand patron of the group, Christian Egbuche said that a positive attitude can only come from within.
    He said: “If it doesn’t touch you that the country is not moving, I think you have a problem. When I look at where I am coming from, I ask myself what is our problem? Who is going to fix this problem? Who is going to do this miracle?
    “It can never be done by sitting down in your house or in the church or mosque but must be done within you that you really want to make a positive change. That is why we are here.”
    The President of the group, Mrs. Angela Mindapa Zanye urged the members to be cautious when dealing with people.
    “Every person is important which equals a vote that can make or mar the party”, Mrs. Zanye stated.
    Also speaking, the group’s political adviser, Abdullahi Narabi gave reasons why Nigerians should support Mr. Abubakar.
    Narabi said: “He has the experience which is proven and trusted. He is bold that is why he challenges everyone even the present administration.
    “We are not here to compare because both governments are incomparable. The present administration  is moving in reverse.”
    He instructed the members to be mindful of people in the grass root because “they are the major voters.”

  • Social security: Fed Govt takes interest-free microcredit loans to grassroots

    The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) MarketMoni is a Social Intervention Programme (SIP) that provides loans of up to N300, 000 to rural dwellers. The scheme, anchored by the Bank of Industry (BoI), directly impacts traders, market women, artisans, and farmers across the country. COLLINS NWEZE captures experiences of some beneficiaries of the scheme.

    Grassroots dwellers, petty traders, artisans, traders and cooperative societies are among the most neglected segments of the society when it comes to credit access in Nigeria.

    Ironically, more than 70 per cent of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are operated by these categories of people. They lack access to loans and financial facilities to sustain and grow their businesses.

    But, the narrative is changing as the Federal Government has taken steps to bridge the credit gap and create wealth for Nigerians on the lower rung of the economic ladder. To tackle the issue head-on at inception, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration introduced the Government Empowerment and Enterprise Programme (GEEP). The GEEP is one of the Social Intervention Programmes (SIPs), designed to offer zero interest rate loans to over 1.2 million beneficiaries at the grassroots.

    Under the scheme, micro business owners, who hitherto had no access to loans to grow their businesses, are being offered unhindered access to affordable micro credit.

    Some beneficiaries of the GEEP TraderMoni scheme, a unique micro credit facility rolled out nationwide by the government spoke on their experiences of the live-changing SIP.

    Joining a long line of other selected beneficiaries, Mrs. Patience Ikhiapa was overjoyed to receive her payment notification during the pilot phase of the TraderMoni interest-free loan disbursement in Edo State.

    Speaking on how she started her business, Ikhiapa said: “I thought it was a joke when a GEEP agent came to tell me that the government is helping people like me. Although I was reluctant at first, I gave the agent my details. Later, I got a call and a text to come for verification”.

    According to her, she was trading with only N500.

    She said: “I was selling cold pure water. Each day I buy a few bags and sell in public places. Things were very hard for me, sometimes at the end of the day, my gain may just be N300. In the process of hawking, I found a place in Sapele prison to sell bread and minerals to people. With this N10, 000 loan, I am planning to add more things to what I sell… I am very happy that little by little, things are getting better for me.”

    Mrs. Ikhiapa, alongside 368 others, got the interest-free loan of N10,000 per person in Edo State. Asides the money, the beneficiaries also got food and some products from well-known fast-moving consumer goods brands, to add to their wares.

    According to the GEEP organisers, majority of the beneficiaries were owners of ultra-small microenterprises, those known in the local parlance as petty traders. They were also mostly women, some with babies strapped to their backs.

    “They were called because of a renewed focus of the government, to tackle hunger, reduce poverty and improve standard of living of those who are often left out of the conversation on micro finance and credit schemes,” the organisers said.

    The government, through TraderMoni, seeks to offer interest-free micro loans to people like Ikhiapa, the food sellers, Mai Shais, petty craftsmen, shoe repairers, and other street traders. The scheme is an addition, to an existing one called MarketMoni, which already caters for market women, artisans, farmers and enterprising youths.

    Another TraderMoni beneficiary, Benedicta Imanogbe, expressed gratitude to the government for the loan.

    Mrs. Imanogbe, who is into soap making said: “I am going straight to the market to buy materials, more than the quantity I have always bought. I know people will be asking me where I got money, so, I will just be shouting that the government gave it to me. We do not believe money will get to people on the streets but this one is real.”

    Daniel Martins, who ekes out a living as a plumber, said: “I have a little caravan where I sell small plumbing materials. Once I finish paying back this small loan, which will help buy few things, I will apply for a bigger loan to expand my business some more.

    According to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, TraderMoni is for petty traders with trading capital not more than N5, 000 and N10, 000.

    Prof Osinbajo said: “We want to give those types of people some credit as well, and once they pay back, we will give them more money. We want to make sure that the very poor trader, no matter how poor you are, so long as you are trading or working, the Federal Government will support you by giving you some extra money to do whatever you are doing.

    “So, every Nigerian who wants to work, who wants to do something, can get the opportunity to do some work.”

    Explaining the TraderMoni scheme, the Chief Operating Officer of GEEP, Uzoma Nwagba, said since the scheme commenced 18 months ago, the government has been focusing on higher end of the micro-enterprises, disbursing N50, 000 to N300, 000 loans.

    “However, TraderMoni is focused on ultra-micro-enterprises who are literally people on the streets, involved in commercial activities.

    “We created a new category driven by extensive demand for much thinner, smaller loans that do not have much stringent requirements like Bank Verification Number (BVN) or belonging to a market association.

    “These people do not have BVN or bank accounts. They just have their mobile phones. Our agents go to them and capture their data, and we can disburse to them by creating a mobile profile for them automatically.” Explaining further, once the target recipient’s data is captured, and verified, his/her details will be put in a system that the operators monitor extensively.

    Nwagba said: “Subsequently, we will disburse a loan to you immediately that will come to your phone as a mobile money transfer and with that, you can go to withdraw the money at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). You don’t need a card at the ATM, you just need the code that was sent to you then you can withdraw at any ATM in the country.”

    He added that the idea is to provide loans to those with no hopes of accessing credit, and in time onboard them into the mainstream financial service sector, which is a good way to drive financial inclusion.

    Nwagba said: “Think about it as the government taking interventionist approach of saying we have a category of Nigerians at the very base of the pyramid who are not even in our conversation because they are very difficult to track, hard to understand, they don’t have collateral, they are not educated, they do not have BVN, they do not have all the buzz and whistles and security that gives traditional lenders comfort.

    “So, we are willing to take a risk to be able to absorb the critical needs of every Nigerians, and we are hoping to scale this programme to two million Nigerians over the next few months.”

    He restated that the Buhari administration’s commitment every class of Nigerians.

    “These are people who are underrepresented and underserved, especially when it comes to finance, he said, adding: “We work very closely with Vice President, Osinbajo and he is quite obsessive about making sure that the right people get these loans.

    “That is why we can tell you that everybody who has gotten MarketMoni till this day, we can give you the name of the person, where they live, what they do, we can also track them and verify.

    “We do not have money in bulk to a state government, party steward or government official, the money goes directly into the account of the beneficiaries. There is no intermediary and there are no exceptions. I think by doing that, we are ensuring the integrity of the process.”

     

    GEEP Marketmoni enters Kano

     

    During one of his visits to Kano to assess the scheme’s impact, Osinbajo met with a section of the over 11,000 beneficiaries of the GEEP MarketMoni in the state. According to the Executive Director of Bank of Industry (BoI), Toyin Adeniji, the programme is aimed at reinvigorating the economy at the base of the pyramid, the hotbed of Nigeria’s financially vulnerable.

    Adeniji said: “GEEP MarketMoni is unprecedented in Nigeria’s history, granting interest-free credit facilities to existing microenterprises of market women and traders, artisans, enterprising youth and agricultural workers. It is critical to the Federal Government’s objective of inclusive growth.”

    All that applicants need to benefit from the scheme is apply through their registered market associations and cooperative societies; have a BVN and a mobile phone. The loans range from N10, 000 to N300, 000, tied to applicants’ BVNs. Beneficiaries are expected to paid back within a six month period without interest.

    According to the Group Head (Microenterprise) of BOI, Uloma Ike, over 11,861 people have benefited from the GEEP MarketMoni loan scheme and over 583 million naira has been disbursed so far in Kano State alone.

    Ike said: “The beneficiaries and representatives of various market associations whose members have received loans will be able to interact with the vice president, talk about the scheme and the impact of the loans on their businesses. It will also be an opportunity for the vice president to experience first-hand, the impact of the programme which today has touched the lives of thousands of beneficiaries nationwide.”

     

    States taking turns

     

    The GEEP MarketMoni interactive sessions had been held in several states across the country. Two of such sessions were in Onitsha, Anambra State, on April 11 and Akure, Ondo State, on May 3.

    In Anambra, over 2,000 traders and artisans met with the vice president, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Maryam Uwais, and the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah. Top-performing GEEP beneficiaries in Anambra were selected to display their products at the exhibition grounds and to interact with the vice president.

    In Ondo State, the vice president interacted with several trade associations including market women.

    Speaking on the SIPs, Budget and National Planning Minister Udoma Udo Udoma restated government’s commitment to extend the scheme to everybody.

    Senator Udoma said:  “And that is why we have the social investment programme in which we have committed N500 billion every year in the budget, the school feeding programme, the GEEP. So, we have a number of programmes to make sure nobody is left behind”.

    Udoma who spoke during the World Bank Spring Meetings in the United States (U.S.), added: “I am very encouraged by the fact that the positives development in Nigeria are being recognised. The positive developments about economic recovery and growth plan, the things that we are doing to encourage investment, make Nigeria more investment friendly, I’m happy that all those are being recognised.

    “And the fact that the economy is out of recession and is growing again is also being recognized and the fact that growth is not dependent solely on oil. That there is growth in agriculture and other areas, so it has been a positive meeting for me.”

    Mrs. Uwais said the GEEP was designed to offer zero interest rate on loans to over 1.2 million artisans, traders, market men and women, as well as women cooperatives.

    She told reporters in Lagos that 70 per cent of MSMEs in Nigeria cannot access loans and financial support for business growth.

    Mrs. Uwais said: “GEEP works with cooperatives to assist MSMEs and the Bank of Industry (BoI), manages it by verifying the membership of the cooperatives through BVN. Those who default in repaying the loans get blacklisted and prevented from further access. GEEP targets 1.66 million MSMEs.”

    Speaking further, she said THE Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) has been designed to support one million of the most vulnerable and poorest Nigerians.

    The special adviser identefied  economic overdependence on crude oil, absence of critical policies driving inclusive growth and changing demographic profile as challenges that could not be left unaddressed, hence President Buhari’s decision to act.

    According to her, the programmes have taken off in 14 states.

     

    A partnerships that works

     

    The BoI and Unity Bank Plc are partnering for the implementation of the GEEP. Under the partnership, Unity Bank will provide account opening services to qualified beneficiaries of GEEP nationwide. These individual bank accounts will serve as channels for beneficiaries to receive loans disbursed by BoI. Beneficiaries will also make loan repayments through these bank accounts. Unity Bank will also provide BVN registration services for beneficiaries who require such, thereby increasing the financial inclusion in Nigeria.

    The bank’s participation in the laudable scheme stems from the strategic business objective of supporting MSMEs to access affordable funding.

    The bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Tomi Somefun, stated that the success of the partnership with BoI is testament to the fact that despite the difficulties of accessing credits by this segment of the market.

    She said the good knowledge and understanding of different players in the market segments and ability to harness inherent opportunities for their benefit has continued to differentiate the Bank in line with its strategic business focus on agriculture, retail/SME and rural economy.

    According to BoI’s Managing Director Kayode Pitan, the partnership with Unity Bank on GEEP will further enhance access to financial services to qualified beneficiaries and support BoI’s mandate for GEEP loans to reach 1.6 million beneficiaries nationwide.

     

  • SEC takes financial literacy to grassroots

    Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with various grassroots groups in its financial literacy campaign in a bid to ensure that Nigerians in the rural areas are effectively sensitised on the benefits of investing in the capital market.

    Acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Mary Uduk, stated this during a meeting with executive members of National Youths Initiative for Peace and Governance (NYIPG) at the Commission’s head office in Abuja.

    Uduk who was represented by Acting Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services of SEC, Mr. Henry Rowlands, commended the organisation on the various good governance and entrepreneurship sensitisation campaigns they have carried out.

    She expressed the desire of the commission to tap into NYIPG’s existing structures to also sensitise the grassroots on financial literacy.

    “We are delighted at the various sensitisations you have carried out to enlighten the people in your region on the need to engage in meaningful vocations. When someone is fully engaged, he will work for the peace of the country as he would not want any activity that would destroy his business. The SEC as part of its market development mandate would like to partner with you to educate the people on the best ways to invest the money they are making from their businesses,” Uduk said.

    Vice President, National Youths Initiative for Peace and Governance (NYIPG), Abdulmalik Alfo, commended the SEC on its various initiatives as contained in the 10 year capital market master plan and pledged the readiness of his association to collaborate with the Commission in any area necessary.

     

  • Fighting corruption from the grassroots

    THE serene city of Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, played host to stakeholders drawn from diverse sectors who gathered at the Ibom Hotel and Resort for a five-day social behavioural change strategy workshop hosted by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact. The workshop was hosted as part of the anti-corruption campaign for Strengthening Citizens Resistance Against Corruption (SCRAP C) project, which is aimed at seeking a shift from a traditional approach in fighting corruption in Nigeria. Already in its second year, the DFID (Department of International Development, UK) funded initiative is anchoring the #UprightforNigeria campaign which runs with the vision of mobilizing citizens to accept and own the anti-corruption campaign. Implementing partners for the project comprise nonprofit organizations such as Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Development and a host of other NGOs. Mr Tunde Aremu, the policy and campaign manager for ActionAid, a partner organization leading the consortium, told The Nation that the campaign would be implemented with the development of communication tools which speak to the aspiration of the average Nigerian on anti-corruption, especially as studies have shown that the average Nigerian detests corruption. The Nation learnt that owing to limited resources, the campaign would run in select states of the federation namely Kano, Kaduna, Uyo, Lagos, Enugu, Bornu and the federal capital territory, Abuja. However, it bears stating that restricting the campaign to just few states in a nation with a teeming population like Nigeria could serve as a limitation to achieving a wide spread behavioural change objective.

    Aremu differs on this position, saying that widespread behavioural change on corruption could still be achieved since people at the grassroots would be actively involved in pushing the message to places where the consortium members cannot physically reach. “Part of our critique of the government approach to fighting corruption in the country is that it has not been with the active involvement of the people. Citizen ownership of the fight against corruption is what is lacking and that is why we are using six states in the federation and the federal capital territory. We believe the gains of the campaign would be adopted as a model for other organizations”, he assured. Aremu also added that the locations were consciously selected to act as hubs for the different regions in the country. Enugu was selected because it is a regional hub, while Akwa-Ibom was picked because of its centrality in the South-South. The campaign would also focus on Lagos because it is a business hub not just for the South-West but the whole of the country.

    Kano and Kaduna were also selected because of their strategic locations in the North-West, while Borno was considered because of its location in the North-East, a region in the country which has become an epicenter of development activities as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency. Added to this is also the fact that resources meant to transform the lives of Nigerian citizens in the North East are passing through the route, hence a need to mobilise citizens to be actively involved in keeping eyes on the utilization of resources that have been sent to that part of the country. It is anticipated that the anti-corruption campaign activities in the selected areas would resonate in other locations and inspire similar efforts to spring forth from non-governmental and government organisations.

    What if corruption fights back? In Nigeria where corruption has become somewhat of a dragon, it is not out of place to anticipate that corruption would fight back when there is a movement bent on ending the scourge. Often times, corruption fighting back often manifests in the form of powerful people in the society using stolen resources to mobilise citizens to counter anti-corruption efforts. At this point, one is tempted to ask, does the #UprightforNigeria movement have a defence mechanism in the event that this happens? To this, Mrs Funke Fagbemi, the Executive Director of the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, who led the strategy workshop, responded that the campaign would be relying on anti-graft agencies with the mandate to eradicate corruption in order to ensure actions would be taken and justice is done when cases of corruption are reported by citizens. She added that the campaign will achieve its aim with the support of unrelenting civil society as well as the resilience of people from the grass root. “We are asking people to stand up and be counted as voices that want to stand upright for Nigeria, going with the current narrative that all Nigerians are corrupt, which is actually not true. We are hoping that for every issue of demand, there is a supply side. By the time we are able to refine a communication theory, we would be able to change the way Nigerians think by instilling a cando mentality whilst empowering citizens to know they can do something,” she said.

    Exploring mediums such as media and publicity, the campaign will target a diverse group of citizens including working professionals, civil servants, men and women as well as faith-based organisations and community mobilisers. The effort is to ensure the campaign resonates with the emotions of the audience in the context of use. Even at this, she is quick to admit that the complex side of Nigeria does not allow for a one size fits all approach, hence the need to ensure that the strategy would resonate with what is appropriate for the contexts of each group and community. Speaking more on this, she said: “One of the designs of our campaign is the consumer lens approach and we are relying on the result of the study we carried out to identify what gaps are in perception and knowledge. We are going to leverage on these findings from research and actually build a strategy that is evidence based,” Fagbemi said.

    One of the things achieved during the workshop in Uyo was the development of a context specific anti-corruption strategy for the SCRAP-C project which birth the branding of the campaign as #UprightforNigeria. Mrs Fagbemi added that the campaign would be developed in different languages, using the local structures that are working. A movement, not a project The Centre for Democracy and Development, (CDD), a nonprofit organization involved in research training, advocacy and capacity building organization, is also an implementing partner of the consortium for the project. Mr Yusuf Shamsudeen, a senior programme officer with CDD, told The Nation that the #UprightforNigeria movement would be leveraging on the strength of the networks and social groups to see how those in the informal sector can be mobilized to stimulate conversations around social norms and corruptions. Speaking on the efficacy of the fiveyear project which is already in its second year, Shamsudeen conceded that although five years may not be enough to rid the country totally of corruption, however, he is optimistic that something substantial in the anti-corruption movement can be achieved within the timeframe. “We want a movement, not a project so a project sustainability plan has been into the campaign.

    We are trying to initiate a process in which people will own the project itself; that is why we are focusing more on engaging people at that grassroot, level. “We want them to give direction to the entire conversation around as champions of the campaign. If we are able to build a movement around this, it becomes something anybody can pick up not for the financial emolument but because it changes the mindset of people about corruption,” he argued. Adding her voice to the assurance on the timeline, Mrs Fagbemi conceded that although it will definitely take more years to have a 360 turn around; conservation would be ongoing at various levels including national, state and grassroots as citizens who understand that they don’t have to be complacent. Although behaviourial change can happen within a short time frame, there is the challenge of surmounting the undercurrents and intervening factors such as poverty, lack of resources and desperation to survive the vicissitudes of life which have made corruption thrive in the Nigerian society. Even if the campaign may not be able to end corruption in five years, it should progress to the extent that those who are engaged in the act of corruption would be forced to beat a retreat by the time citizens start standing up to them.

  • Taking agency banking to grassroots

    Commercial banks are increasingly targeting the unbanked in the society through agency banking, which has helped them to cut their cost of operation and reach more people at the grassroots. COLLINS NWEZE writes that the new move is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) financial inclusion mandate to deposit banks.

    Since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) unveiled the frame work for agency banking, lenders have increasingly deployed the channel to expand their financial intermediation role.

    The objective of agency banking is to enhance financial inclusion, make financial services delivery channel efficient and take banking to the grassroots.

    According to the CBN, agency banking takes financial services to customers through a third party (agent) on behalf of a licensed deposit taking financial institution and/or mobile money operator (principal).

    To qualify as an agent for specific banking operations, on behalf of deposit financial institution or mobile money operator, the agent must be an entity that has been in a legitimate commercial activity for at least one year before the date of the application, and the business must be a going concern, the CBN said.

    According to the CBN, commercial banks have continued to embrace agency banking to improve their customer base and support their cost-saving strategies.

    To this end, Keystone Bank Plc has signed a partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and IONEC Limited, to provide agency banking services to existing and intending customers to bring more people into the banking system. The initiative was christened ‘KeyServ’.

    KeyServ offers services such as Account Opening, Bills Payment, Cash-In, Cash-Out, ATM Services, Fund Transfers, Balance Enquiries, ATM cash withdrawals, Mini Statements and a whole lot more.

    The platform seeks to leverage NIPOST’s networks and locations across the country to provide access to financial services to many Nigerians, particularly the youth and rural dwellers who are excluded from financial services.

    The platform is a complementary effort of the bank towards encouraging the financial inclusion drive of the CBN.

    Under the arrangement, NIPOST will through its Post Outreach system, provide outlets in different locations using people’s houses as offices for banking services while the house owner becomes an agent of the bank.

    IONEC Limited on the other hand, acts as the technical partner providing the needed technical input for the success of the operation.

    With its agency banking already operative in Lagos, Kano, Edo and other states in the country, the bank has made Automated Teller Machines available to enable customers in the locations withdraw and deposit money with ease.

    Speaking at the launch of the platform in Lagos, Managing Director, Keystone Bank Plc, Obeahon Ohiwerei, said the three partners had through the initiative succeeded in democratising banking in Nigeria, stressing that with the agency banking, the bank can be able to take banking services to everywhere in the country.

    “This is just a simple solution that is riding on the platform of NIPOST. So, we’re going to replicate this action, riding on this collaboration to take banking services to every state, every local government, and every area in Nigeria. And what it means is that the country itself stands to benefit largely from it,” Ohiwerei said.

    He added: “And we heard that about 40 million adults are not banked today in Nigeria. So, what does that tell you? If we’re able to attract half of that using this platform, and each person banks an average of N10, 000, it then means that you have fully 200 million into the banking system and that has several implications for the society.”It means that if such money is available it can be applied to the key sectors of the economy we can lend more money; we can provide more services.”

    Also speaking at the event, NIPOST’s Post Master-General , Bisi Adegboye, said the partners would use the mutually beneficial platform, which rides on technology to ensure that more Nigerians were captured.

    “The philosophy behind it is that Keystone is the principal. Whatever you can do in any of the Keystone branches in Nigeria, we can help you to do it in any of our locations. What we are providing them is our networks in the country,” Adegboye said.

    He explained that the agency banking window provided by the bank would in no small way benefit people living in the rural areas.”Going by the demographical architecture of this country, the greater percentage of this country lives in the rural areas. I know what our people in the rural areas go through.”They are underserved, they are unbanked, they are excluded from the formal financial ecosystem that the elites of this society operate. They will benefit greatly from this platform.”

    Lending his voice, Managing Director, IONEC, Kelechi Dozie, said: “This tripod will not be here without NIPOST and without the vision of Keystone Bank. When we started this journey with NIPOST over a year and half ago, we needed a bank that has a vision to believe in bringing services to the poor, the financially excluded and the unbanked, and that bank is Keystone Bank.”

    Also, the Executive Director, Corporate Banking & South, Keystone Bank, Yemi Odusanya, added that “with this scheme, customers, especially in the rural areas will enjoy unfettered access to banking services. As at today, we have about 106 approved agents across the country.”

    Nevertheless, a report by Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA) had pointed out possible challenges which should be addressed in order to strengthen the agency banking operations in the country.