FirstBank Virtual Community for women: A platform for women's empowerment
In a world that is resonating with varying technological advances especially in the area of Information Technology [coupled with human's fascination for different kinds of hand-held gadgets], it can only be reasonable to seek out ways of engaging and/or optimizing the avenue for greater gains and adding value to lives. This appears to be the inspiration that has led Nigeria's premier financial institution, First Bank Limited, to create a virtual community where women from all works of life can meet to share what they have got. It is worth noting that this latest feat only goes to show FirstBank's commitment [and continual effort] towards women empowerment; it should be recalled that back in 2016, the bank came up with the FirstGem initiative which was designed to help women actualize their financial goals.
According to a report on ThisDay, the Group Head, Products & Marketing Support, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Abiodun Famuyiwa while speaking during the launch of the virtual community asserted that: "FirstBank is focused on creating opportunities that are instrumental to ensuring healthy financial decisions are made by women with a view to living their dreams and achieving fulfillment in not just their careers or business ventures but all areas of life". In essence, it can be said that this latest initiative will not only complement the bank's vision [in respect to women empowerment] but could also help to fast track the rate with which businesses are done.
A check on the website further reveals that the bank's objective is to create an interactive platform where women can share ideas and get inspirations that will aid their progress in whatever they venture into. As it stands, a good number of women have already keyed into the initiative, and it does look as though the encomiums will not stop pouring in just yet. It is really good to know that- rather than logging on to a social media platform just to satisfy pleasure- you have a place (that is, the virtual community) where you can turn to for informed advises on how you can move your business forward and also interact with other professionals who can make immense and/or important contributions towards ensuring that you have a commendable financial standing. But as Mr. Famuyiwa earlier emphasized, it is not all about business and finance alone as there are benefits [which cut across other facets of life] that women can derive from joining the community.
This (initiative) is coming at a crucial time considering the rise in the number of self-starters who are aiming to find their feet in business with the hope of taking their enterprise to the next level. Although it might still be early to judge how successful this would be but going by the buzz it is already generating [and with the bank's reputation], the handwriting on the wall seems positive. And it must be said that FirstBank has indeed taken a bold step as a pacesetter in the aspect of women empowerment, and it remains to be seen if any other bank beat her to it.