Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called on banks in the country to restore banking services to the North Eastern part of the country. Managing Director/Chief Executive, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim made this call while speaking at the Corporation’s maiden Stakeholders’ Town Hall meeting in Kano, Kano State.
He said: “I want to remind all of us of the need to move into the North Eastern part of the country that is just coming out of the ravages of Boko Haram. We all have a responsibility, all the banks, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and our self, to move into the North East.
“The economy needs to be rebuilt, the federal government, state government, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa states are doing their best. But without adequate banking services, without access to finance, the progress in that area will be retarded.
“There is a blue print for that which the CBN developed about four years before now but it could not be implemented because of the unfortunate phenomenon of Boko Haram. Happily Boko Haram has been dealt with, so I am urging the banks that are here to continue to sensitize your headquarters of the need to provide banking services to our brothers and sisters in that part of the country.”
Ibrahim explained that the stakeholders’ town hall meeting was organised as part of efforts to promote consumer protection through financial education. He said: “The theme of this town hall: “Bank Customer Protection: The Role of NDIC”, has come at a very auspicious time when the country is dire need for positive attitude to revamp the economy.
This would further demonstrate the Corporation’s determination towards promoting consumer protection in furtherance of the quest for financial education to achieve financial inclusion. It is also aimed at enlightenment of our stakeholders, particularly bank customers on the benefits of savings culture, cooperative societies, cottage industries and petty trading in order to raise the standard of living amongst Nigerians.
Source: Vanguard
