AMMBAN EDO STATE CHAPTER HOLDS ARE FIRST SYMPOSIUM

Edo State Chapter of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) on Thursday 29th September, 2022 got the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria, The Nigeria Police Force and the Traditional Institution to further consolidate the gains of the Financial Inclusion Drive of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
This was the resolution reached at the Association’s State Conference with the theme, “Exploring The Role Of Agency Banking in Economic Development, Job Creation and Crime Reduction in Edo State” held Benin City, the Edo State Capital on 29th September 2022, at the Prestigious University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City, Edo State. As the topic of Financial Inclusion continue to dominate public discourse, the need for
collaborative effort among critical stakeholders in the Financial Inclusion ecosystem was again echoed at the State Conference of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) held in Benin City.

The Conference which was one of it kind in the Country, had in attendance Financial experts, Security Organizations, Traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the Financial and Security value chains.
In his keynote Address, the National Programmes Director of the Association, Mr Yusuf Adeyemo stressed the need for all stakeholders to be on the same page in the Financial Inclusion Drive. He however noted that though a lot had been achieved, but emphasized continuous awareness in order to bring more underbanked and unbanked sections of the population into the financial net.
Speaking during the Conference, the representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Chinedu Okereke restated the commitment of the Apex Bank to ensure that standards are maintained in the financial industry. He however appealed to Mobile Money operators to imbibe the habit of record keeping.
On his part, the Commissioner Of Police in Edo State, CP Abutu Yaro who was represented by the Head of Administration Mr. Elvis Uangbaoje promised the Police readiness to partner with the Association in the areas of enforcing membership registration, in order to rid the system of criminally minded individuals disguising as Bank Agents. He further stressed the need for members to resist the temptation of accepting transfers
from unknown persons, who may be helping to collect ramson from their victims and assured the association of adequate security.
Also speaking during the Conference, the Patron of the Association and the Elawure of Usen Kingdom, HRH Oba Olugbe II commended the Association for the giant strides, and promised the Traditional Institution’s support to the Association.

Earlier, the National President of the Association Mr. Victor Olojo welcomed the participants to the Conference and commended Edo AMMBAN for the feat in hosting such an elaborate event.
The Conference witnessed the presentation of Awards to distinguished Personalities is the state, including the Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, His Royal Highness Oba Olugbe II, the Elawure of Usen Kingdom, Bar Robert O Okpiavbe, the State Legal Adviser and Mr Peter Ikuewan, the immediate past Chairman of the Association in the State.
There were exhibitions by various Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) including, Opay, Moniepoint, Vpay Africa, Palmpay and Accelerex. The event climaxed with the inauguration of new Excos under the leadership of Mr. Osaro Ekhator.