Bukola Hameed
The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, AMMBAN has called on the Federal Government to incorporate members of the Association in its soft loan schemes.
The Chairman, Oyo state AMMBAN, Mr. Sarafadeen Fasasi made the call during the 2020 end of the year dinner and award presentation at Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan.
He said if such loan was provided for over one million registered Point of Sales, POS operators across the country, it would boost their businesses and also called for an enabling environment for the members.
Mr. Fasasi called for support of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and the Nigeria Police for effective performance of a national taskforce, which would soon be inaugurated as the team would assist the association in warding off attacks against members and removing fraudsters from digital financial services business.
He highlighted functions of the taskforce to include securing financial access points of mobile money operators, ensuring compliance to CBN laid down rules and regulations and identifying duly registered bank agents, stressed that cooperation of the apex bank and the police was essential to realise the objectives.
Mr. Fasasi noted that there were reasons for over two thousand AMMBAN registered members in the state to glorify God for staying afloat, despite challenges occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic and called for sustained unity.
In their presentations on challenges facing mobile money operators, two members of Oyo AMMBAN, Alhaji Tunde Raheem and Mr. Tunde Jimoh stressed the need for government’s intervention to curb hostile activities of street urchins and land grabbers who often disrupt setting up locations of their business, as well as training of staff to improve customer service.
A representative of the CBN at the event, Mr. Titilayo Matesun, who is also a Senior Manager, Development Finance Office, CBN, Ibadan, underscored the important contributions of POS operators in deepening financial inclusion, advising AMMBAN to design sticker and incorporate SANEF in their operations to prevent illegal operators from infiltrating their ranks.
One of the awardees on the occasion, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi who expressed joy for being considered worthy of recognition by the association described the honour as a morale booster for him to sustain existing cordial relationship between the police and the public.
He urged Nigerians to change their attitudes about police as not all officers are bad eggs pointing out that there are officers who are professionals, disciplined and dedicated to their duties.
The PPRO reiterated the commitment of Oyo state police command to protection of lives and property, saying Nigerians and the police have learnt lessons from the aftermath of EndSARS protest.
He emphasized the need for Nigerians to provide information to the police to achieve inclusive policing.
Two other award recipients, Mr. David Alao and Mrs Precious Oke who were honoured as most outstanding male and female members in 2020 dedicated the award to God, promising not to relent in their efforts towards serving the association better.
They commended the executive under the chairmanship of Mr. Sarafadeen Fasasi for good initiatives in the interest of members.
Another award category was given to members of AMMBAN in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State for being the most active chapter in the association’s activities.
Highlights of the event also included donation of gifts to the awardees.
