Ecobank Nigeria has reiterated its support to the creative industry. Speaking during the Adire Initiative programme, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal said the bank identifies adire as a key driver of tourism, culture and the creative industry and that supporting the industry will further empower the youths, women, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other business communities within Ogun State.
Represented by Head of Agency Banking, Nike Kolawole, Lawal stated that Ecobank will continue to stand by the women of Ogun State and Nigeria, particularly the indigenous local women who produce Adire fabric, so that they continue to flourish. “Ecobank will stand by you and we will always be there to provide you the right support you need to succeed,” she said.
Over 100 exhibitors as well as the works of traders, fashion designers, models and other players in the Adire industry were on display at the fair. The event also attracted wives of some governors, female dignitaries, fashion entrepreneurs, politicians, business leaders and corporate top shots.
Also, the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun lamented the activities of counterfeiters of “Adire” Fabric, calling on the relevant regulatory agencies in the country to urgently address the issue of intellectual theft bedeviling the industry.
This is just as she lauded Ecobank Nigeria for supporting the just concluded Adire Market Week which took place in Abeokuta, the state capital. Mrs. Abiodun in her welcome address at the event, which was organized by her office in conjunction with Ajose Foundation, noted that the unfair practice of counterfeiting is impacting the industry negatively with many people abandoning the trade.
According to her, “Foreign manufacturers, aided by Nigerian middlemen, carry off original, handmade Adire designs from Nigeria, mass produce them and then sell them cheaply to Nigerian markets around the country. The effects of this is that makers of authentic Adire are never able to compete with the cheap print alternatives.
She added that “An industry that employs tens of thousands of Nigeria across the entire value chain is in dilemma. While many have cut back on production, others have considered abandoning the trade altogether, even though it has been in their families for generations.”
Stanbic IBTC to provide special funding for health sector
Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings has demonstrated its commitment to support the Nigerian health sector by making available special financing solutions for healthcare providers to effectively render services to Nigerians.
As one of its key initiatives, the financial institution announced that it has made available flexible loan facilities to stakeholders in the Nigerian healthcare industry to enable them to purchase equipment and improve healthcare services.
Speaking on the solutions, Executive Director, Business and Commercial Clients, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Remy Osuagwu, said the loans were created to make available world-class healthcare and reduce the pressure on the limited health services in the country.
“Healthcare is a basic need that everyone should be able to access easily. The pandemic has increased the pressure on the health sector and there is a need to adequately equip healthcare facilities to enable hospitals and laboratories deliver quality service and boost the confidence of Nigerians in that sector,” he said.
Nigeria’s health care system is underfunded and the least robust in Africa. Stanbic IBTC has decided to provide capital that will enhance the health frameworks and bridge the gaps in healthcare.
“From health insurance cover to funding for quality medical equipment, we have product offerings tailor-made to serve our clients in this space,” Osuagwu added.
According to the Business and Commercial Clients Executive Director, the scheme will contribute to the overall development of the Nigerian healthcare system while highlighting that the term loan offers a maximum loan amount of N2 billion naira.
Furthermore, the financial organisation also offers loans for asset finance to purchase equipment required to provide optimum healthcare service.
Osuagwu noted that the institution’s team of experts are available to offer expert advice to its customers and the loans are available to key players in the health sector such as pharmaceutical and medical product manufacturers, logistics and healthcare service providers.
Stanbic IBTC remains committed to the expansion and delivery of excellent healthcare services to all Nigerians through various initiatives.
