No Kaduna bank qualifies for CBN 2015 CSR award
By; Jacob Onjewu Dickson
No bank in Kaduna was able to qualify for the 2015 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), award category for the Best Bank in the execution of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR)award.
This was disclosed by the CBN Kaduna Branch Controller, Mohammed I. Gusau at the bank’s end of year 2014/2015 Annual Dinner/Award Night of the Kaduna Bankers Committee.
According to him, no Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) operating in Kaduna qualified for the Award Category of Best Bank in the execution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) during the periods under review.
He said that the event was organized to review the achievements of banks. “This event is an opportunity for us to review the achievements of the banking sector in Kaduna State as well as highlight some new policies that affect the industry at large. The occasion focuses on our customers whom we serve and who are our greatest assets.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria, Kaduna Branch, would be recognizing some
Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) who have excelled in development of financing activities in the state during the review period. The focus of the award is on the real sector of the economy because of the desire of the present government to diversify the economy in face of the current reality of the dwindling global price of crude oil.
“The awards were given to deserving banks that excelled among their peers in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility during the 2013 Bankers’ Dinner held on 21st March 2014. But the same cannot be done this time because none of the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) qualified for the Award Category of Best Bank in the execution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) during the periods under review,” he explained.
Speaking further, he said that the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kaduna Branch, being the Chair of the Kaduna Bankers’ Committee has with all humility contributed its quota in the area of CSR by way of constructing a 16-bed maternity ward, four-bed labour room and two Nurses’ stations with all the necessary facilities as its end of year 2014 CSR at the Kawo General Hospital, Kaduna.
“Plans are also underway to extend the same gesture to General Hospital, Sabon Tasha as part of our 2015 CSR project. You may wish to note that the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects executed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Kaduna Branch were being financed
from individual staff contributions.
“The award should have been rightfully awarded to the CBN, but we felt as regulators and Chair of the Kaduna Bankers’ Committee, we should encourage Deposit Money Banks by practicing what we preach. We hope DMBs operating in the State would brace up for the challenge for the Prestigious Award of Excellence in CSR this coming year,” he added.
Gusau said that in the year 2014 and 2015 the branch on behalf of the Bank (CBN) guaranteed 1103 and 1008 facilities worth N212, 017,230 and N145, 334,480 were respectively disbursed to farmers within the state
by the participating DMBs.
“For fully repaid loan, in 2014 and 2015 were 781 and 960 amounting to N130,089,112.24 and N95,164,240 respectively,” he said.
Highlighting on the BVN, he said the initiative was aimed at ensuring unique identity for all bank customers and other users of financial services in the country by the use of the customers’ biometrics as means of identification.
He noted that the adoption of BVN enhances the effectiveness of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) principle, reduces exposure to fraud, enhance credit delivery, checks identity theft and promote a safe and sound financial system in Nigeria.
On the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which Kaduna State is a pioneer, the Controller said it was a unified structure of government bank accounts enabling consolidation and optimal utilisation of government cash resources.
He added: “the development finance activities anchor borrower’s programme (ABP) is simply financing model for Small Holder Farmers. The Central Bank of Nigeria as part of its developmental function established the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) with a view to collaborate with anchor companies involved in the production and processing of key agricultural commodities.”
He stressed that the programme will help local farmers increase production and supply of feedstock to processors, reduce importation and conserve Nigeria’s external reserve.
In his remarks, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State said that the state adopted the TSA to block channels of waste of funds and prevent corrupt officials from misappropriating funds.
The governor who was represented by his Commissioner of Finance, Hon Sulaiman A. Kwari, further explained that so far the state has saved money from the TSA operations.
He charged the banking sector in Kaduna to always engage in CSR to support government’s provision of projects to the citizens.
