Class of 1994 Alumni of the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Nkwelle Ezunaka, formerly FGGC Onitsha, Anambra State, organised a one-day financial literacy awareness seminar for selected students of the college.
The awareness campaign, which was part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the graduation of the Class of 1994, took place at the college conference hall on Saturday, 30th November, 2024.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Mrs Njideka Nwabukwu, who made a presentation on financial literacy on behalf of the Class of 1994 Alumni Association, said the seminar was part of their mandate to give back to their alma mater.
She stated that based on her 20+ years of experience in the financial services sector, which includes a role in the gender unit of the financial inclusion process, the project was of immense value to her.
According to Mrs Nwabukwu, the seminar was organised to give the students the opportunity to acquire basic financial management skills, including budgeting, income generation, savings, and investment, so as to start practicing these skills while still in school. She acknowledged the efforts of her schoolmates who worked with her to organise and execute the project.
In her presentation during the seminar, Mrs Nwabukwu stated that financial literacy would equip the students with the essential foundation for a smart relationship with money.
As a girl-child and future career woman and entrepreneur, this would help not just to contribute to the well-being of their family but also for a secure future and protection against the shocks of life. She urged the students to start early to practice these skills.
She highlighted the importance of budgeting and the need for students to ensure that their expenses are kept within their resources/income. She further differentiated between needs and wants.
Speaking on insurance, Mrs Nwabukwu educated the students on the role of insurance plans in protecting one against financial losses arising from risks encountered in life.
She then advised the students against pitfalls that could arise from being financially illiterate, including scams/get-rich-quick schemes, frequent and excessive debts, etc.
In conclusion, she encouraged the students to acquire additional financial literacy knowledge through reading books, subscribing to financial content, and listening to related podcasts, among others.
While commending the school management for providing the opportunity for this interaction with the students, the Chairperson of the Reunion Committee, Chidi Obi-Anoliefo, urged the students to put into practice all they were taught during the seminar. She further stated that the Class of 1994 has plans to track the impact of the seminar on the students in the future.
In her remark, the principal of the college, Dr. Mrs Ifeoma Ezeodurukwe, thanked the organisers for putting together the event. She prayed to God to continue to bless and protect all the members of the Class of 1994 in their various life endeavours.
The principal was represented at the event by Mrs. Asuzu Maureen, a director of the college.
The students who were selected to represent the entire school, in their collective and individual appreciation, promised to commence practicing what they were taught and to extend key learning points to their colleagues in the college.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the seminar with the topic Empowering the Girl Child through Financial Literacy was partly sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc and supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
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