Diamond Bank Plc has carried the message of financial awareness and planning to the classrooms of Secondary Schools. This time it was Henry Alex-Duduyemi Memorial College (HAMEC), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The initiative is part of activities to commemorate the Global Money Week and boost financial literacy among the youth. According to the Bank, the awareness campaign is in-line with the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria aimed at sharpening financial understanding and teaching the students how to get increased value for their money through savings and investment.
The Financial Literacy Day is aimed at increasing access to finance, propagating knowledge in fiscal management and bringing the unbanked to the banking system.
Addressing the students, the bank officials said the awareness campaign was informed by Diamond Bank’s commitment to building capacity among the youths and making them to appreciate the value of building financial capacity through savings, investment and reinvestment.
Standing in for Uzoma Dozie, Diamond Bank CEO, Akinleye Ogunleye, Regional Manager, Ibadan Region, told the young students that effective management of their finances in adult life begins now, noting that the lessons were designed to instill financial awareness in them so they can manage money wisely when they become adults who will be responsible for the country’s economic activities.
He spoke on the following topics: How to Grow Money, Differences between Financial Institutions and Non-Financial Institutions, Different Types of Investment and The Benefits of Having a Saving Culture.
In his address, Oluseye Thomas, Business Manager, Osogbo Branch, said that students who imbibe financial training make better monetary decisions compared to those who do not have such knowledge, stating that those who have better financial knowledge live better lives than those who don’t.
“There are many students that do not understand how to make their money grow because they have not been taught how to make wise financial decisions in their younger years.” He consequently encouraged parents to open accounts for their children from their infant years and allow them manage the accounts when they become teenagers.
The Principal of the school, Mrs Deborah Akinpelu, while thanking Diamond Bank noted that the enthusiasm of the students has validated the fact that training future leaders require collective efforts and discipline.
She said: “We believe that the learning garnered during this visit will go a long way in preparing the students for the future. The Bank officials have been able to interact successfully with the students and this shows that moulding tomorrow’s leaders is a collective endeavour and that even bankers can make good teachers.”
Speaking on behalf of the students, Oluwaseun Omotoso, Head boy of the School, said that the lessons have broadened their horizon and hoped to continue to spread the message of how to invest their money so it doesn’t lose value due to inflation.