Access bank plc in conjunction with other members of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has partnered with Goldcoast Developmental Foundation (GDF), a Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO) with an interest in vulnerable people in the Niger Delta.
The banks donated food items, toiletries, cash as well as other relief materials to victims of the recent flood disaster in the state who were during the flood camped at the GDF’s Temporary Shelter Home in Yenagoa.
Speaking while making the presentation, the Head of the delegation, Miebi Flint, said Access bank has closely monitored GDF’s consistency in reaching out to the less privileged and vulnerable especially, during the flood disaster.
According to him, the Bank has been moved by the pains of the vulnerable people and that’s why it reached out to other partners including the CIBN and the CBN to identify with them to jointly make this very important gesture.
He said: “As part of our culture in Access Bank, every year, we do what we call, Community Social Responsibility and our corporate social responsibility for the year tallies with the goals of the Goldcoast Developmental Foundation.
“We observed that the foundation has been working tirelessly to support women especially nursing mothers and children who are amongst the vulnerable groups during these trying times and that is why we are working in synergy with them to bring support to you with this little token to support you”.
On his part, the chairman of CIBN in the state, Osareme Santos, expressed hope that the items will cushion the effect of the hardship encountered during the flood especially as the nursing mothers are trying to get back on their feet again after losing so much to the flood.
Receiving the donations, the Founder of GDF, Barr. Moses Oruaze Dickson thanked the consortium of financial institutions led by Access Bank for their generosity.
Oruaze noted that their actions have shown their level of commitment to corporate social responsibility, especially in very trying times and leave no doubt about how sensitive they are to the needs of people within their areas of operations.
He said: “Today, we were surprised by the Access Bank team with donations of food items, toiletries and much more including stipends to support nursing mothers and children that have been at our Temporary Shelter Home since the floods started.
“This support came so timely as we are in the process of carrying out much-needed support to them to stand on their feet again after the losses and pains of the floods. We also thank the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) for this massive support which is most needed and well appreciated.
“As as celebrate the season, we urge everyone to remember those affected by the floods especially the vulnerable mothers and children who are still struggling to stand again”.
He also used the opportunity to appeal to well-meaning individuals, organizations and other entities to throw their weight into financial support to the plans by the Goldcoast Developmental Foundation to establish an Education Trust Fund.
He said the Fund will enable some children and other beneficiaries to obtain a quality education from primary to first degree level in the university, adding that the Trust Fund will be launched during the forthcoming 10th anniversary holding in December.
The GDF in October when the flood started, established a temporary shelter home for nursing mothers and their little children because of their peculiar situation.
