Etisalat outlines factors for full financial inclusion in Nigeria

ITRealms:

Etisalat Nigeria, the most innovative telecommunications operator, has identified four enabling factors that could facilitate the achievement of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s goal for full digitization of the financial services sector, reports ITRealms. 

Director, Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho, made the assertion during the week while speaking on Financial Inclusion & Digital Financial Services at the 2016 eWorld Forum organised by Ajomedia, publishers of e-World Magazine in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria.

The factors include interoperability of standards for money exchange across operators, agents and products, agent cum merchant distribution network that accepts and processes clients’ transactions, technology platform or avenue by which digital financial services are being provided to the target customers and product variety which addresses key pain points and creates value in the community.

Speaking further, the Etisalat director, also called on relevant stakeholders in the digital financial services ecosystem to evolve ways that could help them remain relevant, just as she assured on the commitment of her company to seeking and creating more innovative ways to create value for consumers. 

She said, “Research results show that only 12 per cent are doing mobile banking while online banking has just 18 per cent of the population. This is a long road to our destination, and it calls for a strategic approach that involves the collaboration of all stakeholders. There must be regulatory interventions in place to foster the right conditions for increased collaboration. The banks must see and work towards the greater need for client-centric and digital mind set to increase customer base and deposits while reducing cost to acquire and serve. On our part, we are committed to efforts that will drive SmartPhone and broadband penetration to enhance the experience of customers who are expected to carry out financial services.”

It would be recalled that Etisalat Nigeria recently beat twenty one other entries to win the 2016 MobileMoneyExpo Kalahari Financial Inclusion Product of the Year Award for its contribution to the growth of the financial sector of the economy through its mobile money product, GTeasysavers. This product is  a joint effort of Etisalat Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank that seeks to make savings and financial inclusion easier for everyone.

Nkemdilim Nweke/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Pix: 1: (R-L) Director, Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho speaking at the eWorld Forum 2016 sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria in partnership with eWorld magazine in Lagos on Thursday. With her is Conference Committee Chairman, Nigeria Computer Society, Jide Awe, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Tony Ajobo and Chairman, ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo at the eWorld Forum 2016 sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria in partnership with eWorld Magazine in Lagos.

Pix 2: (R-L) Etisalat Nigeria’s Oluwaseun Omotosho, Manager, Mobile financial services and Director, Digital Business, Adia Sowho; Convener, eWorld Forum 2016, Aaron Ukodie; Etisalat Nigeria’s Head, Environment Compliance & Public Relations, Oluseyi Osunsedo and Manager, Public Relations, Chineze Amanfo at the eWorld Forum 2016 sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria in partnership with eWorld Magazine in Lagos.

 

Etisalat sponsors eye surgeries in Bauchi, Gombe

ITRealms:

 

The Nigeria’s most innovative telecommunications operator, Etisalat in collaboration with Charity for Cheer Foundation and the Bauchi State Government, has sponsored eye surgeries on residents of the state, reports ITRealms.

A CSR-based intervention initiative designed to support the company’s host communities as well as vulnerable Nigerians, held at the Bayara Specialist Hospital, Dass Local Government area of Bauchi State with 50 patients suffering from cataract infections were successfully operated upon during the exercise that lasted three days

Speaking at the flag-off of the initiative, ITRealms gathered, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, who was represented by the company’s Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, said the initiative reflects the company’s dedication to delivering on sustainable community support programmes that complement the efforts of partner governments to the utmost benefit of the people.

  

“Etisalat is committed to delivering sustainable community support programmes. We are truly passionate about helping our host communities because we believe that corporate organisations should make positive impacts on the host communities in which they operate. The Free Eye Surgeries Camp is a rewarding experience that helps visually impaired and vulnerable persons recover their full sight to enable them remain productive members of their immediate communities,” he said.

Also speaking  on the initiative which held simultaneously in Gombe State where 50 patients also benefitted, the chairperson of Charity for Cheer Foundation, a non-Governmental Organisation which coordinates the exercise, Mariam Shehu Mohammed, expressed delight that the Foundation was partnering to make life worth living for the vulnerable in line with its vision of impacting the lives of the people around who may not have someone to help them,  learnt ITRealms

In his own remarks, Deputy Director, Planning, Ministry of Health, Bauchi
State, Jibrin Mohammed Barnomu, commended Etisalat for the demonstration of commitment to partner with the State Government on delivering vital health benefits to the people of the state.

“We are really pleased to have them come around to complement the efforts of the state government in the area of healthcare delivery,” he said.

Meanwhile, some of the beneficiaries have commended Etisalat Nigeria for the intervention, describing it as heart-lifting.

One of the beneficiaries, Ladi Haruna, said, “I am really grateful to the organisers of this programme. I can see very well now unlike before when I could not see farther. I hardly could cross roads without help especially in the night.”

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!