Sterling Bank introduces One Woman product for women

In a bid to empower Nigerian women, increase their financial capacity and ensure that they play active roles in their families as well as the society, Sterling Bank Plc, has taken the step in ensuring that more women become financially independent.

The bank, which launched its new proposition project to commemorate the International Women’s Day titled One Woman, is designed to make the woman of the past proud, inspire women of today and provide the women of the future with hope.

According to the wife of the Chairman, Sterling bank, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, the sterling women’s proposition is designed to provide access to convenient savings, transaction and quick loan services to women across the board while catering to the other non-financial needs of the Nigerian woman.

“I am particularly excited about the sterling maternal medical finance which provides funds for medical treatment for illnesses particular to women,” she added.

Speaking at an interactive session with the bank’s theme, ‘Living a legacy’, Special Adviser on Trades and Investment, Ogun State, Mrs Hafsat Abiola- Costello said: “I have been on the journey to empowering women in the last five years and so I am happy that Sterling Bank is coming up with this product that will leave a legacy in the minds of women as statistics shows that 80 per cent of women’s income goes to health, social infrastructure and education.”

Group Head, Agric and Finance at Sterling Bank, Bukola Awosanya noted that it is important to empower and support women who make up the agricultural sector because without food, we cannot eat. “Most states are gradually buying into instilling value to agric which is the largest employer of labour with over 60 per cent. Women put in so much effort but get less because they are not doing it the right way and so we are investing in them to ensure that they get the best in agriculture to feed their children and assist their husbands.”

Seasoned medical director, Dr. Lilian Ekpo, while speaking from a medical perspective, advised women to be conscious of their health and seek medical help when necessary. “That is why in different locations of Sterling bank this week there are breast cancer screening, Pap smear and general checks for women. As Africans we are not health conscious. Women multitask; they take care of their children and husbands and look less of themselves. You can’t leave a legacy if you do not take care of your health.”

Chartered accountant, Mrs. Abimbola Osuchukwu said that to empower others starts by mentoring oneself. “I am very passionate about entrepreneurship and so passing this on means that they must see practical examples from your life and business which should reflect success. Not forgetting the gaps in the society and challenges. We should decide that 2017 would be our best year as there is so much opportunity out there. We should be action-oriented, the recession should not be an excuse.”