Abuja, Nigeria (CU)_ To commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day, Wema Bank Plc has introduced a unique gender discount loan. At a webinar titled “Challenge Today for an Equal Tomorrow” held in honor of International Women’s Day, the special gender loan offering was launched by Dotun Ifebogun, Divisional Head, Retail Business, Wema Bank Plc.
On underlining the importance of this scheme, Ifebogun stated that the deal was more special than a loan because it also included in-depth training. Ifebogun said, “With this package, women can now access business loans at a single-digit interest rate. They have insurance cover for the business and themselves. A particular business owner will also have the opportunity of five days of business training at Wema Bank SME Business Training School,”.
He confirmed that Wema Bank will assist women in overcoming obstacles and fostering gender equality with reflective measures such as the latest loan package, health schemes, business advice, and financial education, etc. Ifebogun said, “This year, we have challenged the lack of access to finances for women, with an emphasis on cheaper loan and financial literacy for women through focused training. With this offer, we are going beyond just giving funds and raising finance; we extended it to training and expanding the knowledge base of these women to be sure that the people we give this loan can build on it and grow”.
Folake Sanu, Wema Bank’s Executive Director of Business Support, inaugurated the webinar, which focused on the social challenges faced by women to achieve their goals in business and employment. Chika Adun, Team Lead, Wema Bank’s Business Process Re-Engineering, chaired the webinar. Tomie Balogun, the founder of Green Investment Club and a certified financial education instructor; Dupe Akinsiun, Global Leadership Development expert; and Omilola Oshikoya, the Chief Knowledge Officer of Wofin Tech Limited, were the members who participated in the webinar.
Akinsiun highlighted the significance of developing capacity and trust. He said that women must be clear about the goals and standards they set for themselves. He said, “Avoid cultural limitations and mindsets, acknowledge your weaknesses and leverage your strengths through the help of others against all odds to rise. People struggle because they believe they do not have weaknesses. This breeds internal conflict and makes you feel uncomfortable and see yourself as fake.”
