The Era of limited access to financial services in Ekiti, particularly at the grassroots level, is gradually fading away.
Many rural communities in the state lack effective access to financial services, forcing residents to undertake long journeys to carry out basic banking transactions such as cash withdrawals or deposits.
Recognizing the challenges faced by the people in this area, Governor Oyebanji, through the Ministry of Employment and Wealth Creation, is launching a comprehensive Agency Banking initiative aimed at addressing this issue and ensuring financial inclusion for all, while simultaneously fostering empowerment and job creation for Ekiti youths.
In actualizing this initiative, the ministry is collaborating with interested financial institutions in the state to implement an Agency Banking Scheme.
What Does the Agency Banking Scheme Connote?
â™» The scheme will be funded by the partnering banks, while the Government will provide a conducive environment for safe and smooth operations.
â™» Data collation will commence next week to facilitate the registration of intending beneficiaries, after which the enrollment and selection process will begin.
â™» The partnership entails the training and empowerment of 1000 youths in Agency banking, selected from across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.
â™» The selected youths will receive continuous monitoring and mentoring from the state Government to support their continued career growth.
In order to launch the operational phase of the initiative, the Commissioner for Employment and Wealth Creation Otunba Kayode Fasae on Thursday, held another strategic meeting with relevant MDAs; Ministry of Youth Development, Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy and Bureau of Community Communications.
Otunba Fasae had earlier in an engagement with partnering banks, encouraged the banks to leverage the forthcoming cyber optic network project being initiated by the Ekiti state government, which will significantly enhance connectivity across the state.
Also present at the meeting: Director-General, Bureau of Community Communications, Mrs. Mary Oso-Omotosho; PS, Ministry of Employment and Wealth Creation, Mr. Oluwadare Ajayi; PS, Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy, Mr. Ayodele Adeyanju; PS ,Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs Adeluyi, Director from Ministry of Trade, Investment, Industry & Cooperatives, Mr. Ayo Ilesanmi, and other members of staff from the host Ministry.