Heritage Bank Plc in partnership with Honourable Fatima Mohammed (FAMO) Foundation has provided palliatives to over 300 affected private school teachers and small medium enterprises (SMEs).
This was disclosed during the distribution of the palliatives on Sunday September 13, 2020, by Mother Dan-Egwu, Group Head, Education, NGO & Faith Groups, Lagos Mainland Zone of the bank
Dan-Egwu noted that the initiative was part of efforts to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 on the education sector,
She stated that the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic have continued in the shutdown of schools for months leaving the private school teachers without any means of livelihood and no source of income.
“Heritage Bank and its partner supported over 300 Private School Teachers and small businesses as palliatives in 15 local governments; including five major markets in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of Ifako Ijaiye, in Lagos State,” she said.
She added that as a financial institution, Heritage Bank appreciates the socio-economic role the sector plays in the country.
“Heritage Bank deemed it necessary to partner FAMO to champion the corporate social responsibility of the bank in supporting private school teachers and small businesses out of hardship and the quagmire plunged into nationwide by the pandemic,” she said.
She further explained to journalists that Heritage Bank and the Foundation seek to help teachers in phases
Dan-Egwu said that this phase will comprise 300 teachers who will get food items and cash worth Ten Thousand Naira (N10, 000) each.
On the mood of selection adopted, she stated that FAMO selected the teachers based on the regions, as the first phase comprised of 300 teachers and SMEs in the South West (Lagos) would be assisted.
She, however, disclosed Heritage Bank’s strategy to provide basic palliative care to the educational system at the resumption of academic activities in schools.
According to her, the bank has three areas of basic supports in providing mentorship program for schools, school portal and school health plan in partnership with Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).