The Lagos-based Ibile Microfinance Bank has urged for more investment in the education and development of children from low-income families so that they do not continue to be a social hazard.

Mr Paul Olaoye, Ibile MFB’s Head of Audit and Compliance, said this while delivering money and other goods to 18-year-old Goodness Musa and her amputee mother, Joy, who lost four children and their husband in a Boko haram attack in Plateau State.

“If children of the indigents are not empowered or educated, they will become touts, armed robber and make life miserable for the privileged,” Olaoye said.

“There was a radio program that was supposed to sell our products,” Olaoye said how the bank connected with the Musas. After the program, she called and requested a N20,000 loan. She explained that she needed cash to help her daughter get started in the natural beverage industry. In Plateau state, she lost her husband, four children, and a leg to a Boko Haram attack. As a result, as part of our CSR, we gathered monies for her. We decided to raise additional money, so we gave her the tools she needed for the company, bought meals, and put the rest in the bank for her to withdraw when she has settled on a career path. Because the mother is unable to walk, the daughter must assist her.

“We would register an account for the girl as part of CSR,” stated Mr. Rasheed Ajalaruru, Head, Public Sector. We’d also like to encourage the private sector to help her and others in similar situations.”

Mrs. Musa explained that because of her severed leg, which she still feels excruciating pain in, she has been finding it difficult to train her only daughter.

Goodness, on her part, expressed gratitude to the Bank for the generosity, claiming that it would help her support herself and her mother.

Source: The Nations