Entrepreneurship: DBN, OEAHD, Empower 200 Vulnerable Women In North East

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the Development Bank of Nigeria Plc (DBN) has empowered over 200 vulnerable women with entrepreneurial development skills in Gombe and Yobe States. The programme which is a partnership with the Organisation for Environmental, Agricultural and Health Development (OEAHD) is aimed at providing soft skill acquisition for selected women, including physically challenged women in the North-Eastern part of the country. Addressing participants at the Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition Training and Capacity Building event, the National Coordinator, OEAHD, Hon. Tabitha Iliya Sallah re-emphasized the significant roles women play in the socio-economic development of the nation. According to her, “The importance of women’s participation in entrepreneurship cannot be overstated. It is not just about fostering gender equality, but also about tapping into the full potential of our nation’s human resources. As entrepreneurs, women have the power to innovate, create jobs, and drive economic growth, because when women are economically empowered, their communities and the nation at large benefit.” “The fact that this program has been made possible through the collaboration of OEAHD and DBN is a testament to our collaborative commitment and dedication to women’s economic empowerment across regions; especially displaced women.” She stated. Commending DBN for sustaining its long-term vision of alleviating financing constraints faced by MSMEs and Small Corporations in Nigeria, Hon. Sallah noted that by providing training, mentorship, and access to finance, the bank is creating a nurturing environment for women to thrive in the business world, hereby bridging the gender gap and promoting sustainable economic development. “DBN as we all know has been at the forefront of empowering women in business with unlimited access to finance and knowledge to prosper and build viable enterprises that will enable them to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the socio-economic development of their immediate families and communities” She posited. The Organization for Agriculture and Health Development (OEAHD) is an NGO that is passionate about assisting the less privileged and vulnerable, particularly women and children and internally displaced persons etc regardless of race, colour, gender, social status, political affiliations in Nigeria. While the OEAHD have carried out several humanitarian services in the Northeastern part of the country, their operation is Nationwide with regional offices in Abuja and Gombe. The organization’s major service areas cover – Agriculture, Health and, Education. The Managing Director of DBN, Dr Tony Okpanachi, affirmed that the training was in line with the bank’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the capacity of MSMEs in the country so that they could continue to contribute more to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “We believe that this partnership with OEAHD and by extension the entrepreneurial and capacity development initiative will have a significant impact on the lives of the targeted women in Gombe and Yobe State respectively, fostering their empowerment and contributing to sustainable development in the region”. “Up to date, about 62 percent of our lending has gone to women-owned businesses. Most of them are Micro and Small Businesses. Our goal is to continue to nurture and empower women across regions, the ultimate objective being to grow and upscalethem from micro to large businesses.” He stressed. He further stated that the women have received comprehensive vocational skills training that will enable them to start their businesses or enhance existing ones, thereby improving their economic wellbeing.

2023 TII: DBN Emerges Highest-Ranked Public Institution – CeFTIW Survey

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has again emerged as the highest-ranked public institution in Nigeria in the 2023 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII).  The TII index recently released by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch is a collaboration between the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) and the Bureau for Public Sector Reform, with support from the MacArthur Foundation.  It assesses 511 MDAs and public sector institutions on their level of transparency and accountability in government processes.  To retain its first position, DBN scored 73.26%, moving up from the 58.74% it scored in 2022, a testament to the bank’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and proactive partnerships.  Speaking at the public presentation of the index, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mr. Maurice Mbaeri pointed out that “proactive disclosure of information as enshrined in the Freedom of Information Act seeks to enable public institutions to adopt a proactive stance in disclosing information to the public”.  Akume noted that while access to information is a powerful tool that empowers citizens to request and access government-held information, these “tools are essential to reinforce good governance as it enhances openness and accountability”.  Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, CeFTIW, Amb. Angela Nworgu explained that the centre introduced the Transparency and Integrity Index as an annual assessment of public institutions’ compliance with national laws and international conventions that promote transparency, and accountability and minimize corruption.  “The Index was developed to strengthen already existing fiscal transparency legal frameworks, institutional capacity on the requirement of these frameworks and most importantly build a well-informed citizenry that holds the government accountable”, she added.  Reacting to this development, the Managing Director/CEO of DBN, Dr. Tony Okpanachi expressed delight at the report, regarding the ranking as a reflection of the company’s corporate governance, ethics and processes.  Dr. Okpanachi further highlighted, “This report underscores our unwavering dedication to fulfilling our mandate, which involves addressing the financing challenges encountered by Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. We achieve this by offering financing, partial credit guarantees, and technical assistance to eligible financial intermediaries in a manner that aligns with market conventions and ensures complete financial sustainability.” He reassured that the organization would continue to actively promote the principles of accountability, transparency, sustainability, excellence, diversity, and innovation that are deeply embedded in its corporate philosophy.