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It was a moment of commendation and appreciation as First City Monument Bank Microfinance Bank (FCMB MFB) awarded scholarships and business grants to some of its outstanding customers in celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).
The empowerment initiative was part of a special forum organised by the bank to commemorate the global event, with the theme “Give to Gain.”
Speaking at the event, the Head of Operations of FCMB MFB, Kabiru Oseni, said the programme was designed to celebrate and appreciate customers, the majority of whom are women.
“We organised this programme to celebrate our customers, about ninety percent of whom are women. We want to recognise their important contributions and responsibilities, from family roles to socio-economic activities,” Oseni said.
According to him, the bank remains committed to supporting women not only through financial services such as loans and savings but also through initiatives that boost their morale and personal development.
“We are unapologetically gender-biased due to the nature of our business, which focuses largely on women. Our aim is to empower them not only financially but also in other aspects of life so they can properly navigate priorities in their businesses and personal wellbeing,” he added.
Some of the beneficiaries of the grants, including Adegbite Bukola and Akintunde Azizat, received financial support to expand their businesses, while Romoke Bello was awarded a scholarship to support her children’s education.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the bank for the gesture, noting that FCMB MFB’s services and flexible loan structure have helped them grow their businesses over the years.
Adegbite Bukola said the lessons from the programme, particularly the theme “Give to Gain,” were impactful.
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“From the short playlet and discussions, we learnt that success in business requires giving your time, resources, patience and focus while avoiding trends that do not add value to your business. In the end, you gain a solid business structure that can stand the test of time,” she said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FCMB MFB, Friday Nwokolo, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs.
“For us, women are our priority and they remain at the top of our agenda. We are very intentional about addressing their needs, and that has been our strategy since inception,” Nwokolo stated.
He disclosed that the bank hosted over 150 women, including existing and prospective customers, at the event to celebrate their contributions and reinforce their value to the institution.
Nwokolo further revealed that the bank’s partnership with the Mastercard Foundation has opened opportunities for women between the ages of 18 and 35 to access loans at single-digit interest rates for up to one year.
“This partnership provides an avenue to promote women-owned businesses and ensure they receive the support needed to grow. The forum also helped inform them about this opportunity so they can take advantage of it,” he said.
He added that the scholarships and grants were part of the bank’s effort to give back to customers who have continued to support the institution.
“This year’s theme is very pivotal. As an institution, we have gained from our customers and will continue to grow together. I also call on government to partner with the private sector to address the real needs of women for sustainable growth, especially by combining finance with knowledge,” he said.
The event featured interactive sessions, a short playlet highlighting the theme “Give to Gain,” and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
