Anioma Microfinance Bank Ubulu-Uku Begins Operation, Promises A Paradigm Shift

By Frank Oshanugor

It is a new dawn for people of Ubulu-Uku and environs in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State and particularly small and medium scale entrepreneurs as the newly founded Anioma Microfinance Bank Limited in the town; on Monday officially opened its doors to customers with a promise to become a game changer in Microfinance banking.

The grand opening ceremony of the bank which attracted the presence of sons and daughters of Ubulu-Uku was witnessed by officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) led by the Delta State Branch Controller of CBN, Mr. Godwin Okafo Speaking as the special guest of honor at the event, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza said “it is with great pleasure and a measure of excitement that I join you today as Special Guest of Honour for this historic occasion of the Official unveiling of Anioma Micro Finance Bank Limited here in Ubulu-Uku.

“I am indeed pleased by the fact that at this critical time when our people at the grassroots are yearning for investments that can attract development and commerce to the rural areas, the team behind Anioma

Micro Finance Bank Limited deemed it fit and worthy to establish this important financial institution in the serene settlement of Ubulu-Uku right inside the very heart of Aniocha land.

This of course is in tandem with the desire of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to ensure meaningful development in all areas and sectors of Delta State, as espoused in the M.O.R.E Agenda.”

According to the Commissioner, “My excitement also stems from the fact that as a former banker myself, I am truly impressed by the pledge of professionalism and the range of cutting edge diverse services,

special offers, as well as the other regular comprehensive banking and financial products, usually associated with big commercial banks, which Anioma Micro Finance Bank Limited has promised to deliver to our people.

“There is no doubt whatsoever that Anioma Micro Finance Bank Limited is well located in Ubulu-Uku to serve our people adequately, especially since the town shares boundaries with Ogwashi-Uku to the east,

Obior to the west, Issele-Uku to the north, and Ubulu-Unor to the south, which definitely positions it for easy accessibility and gives our people a much needed alternative to avail themselves of seamless modern banking services, which they can only enjoy when they travel to urban centres.”

Earlier in his welcome speech, the Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank, Mr. Charles Mordi, who retired s few years from the Central Bank of Nigeria as Director of Research, described the commissioning of the bank as a great milestone.

Giving a brief historical background of the bank, Mordi disclosed that the idea of having a bank at Ubulu-Uku was mooted by the current President General of the town’s development council, Sir Jonathan Monye who in 2021 constituted a nine-man committee to work on the idea.

According to him, after crossing many hurdles with both the Corporate Affairs Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria and other relevant bodies, the bank was given final approval in May, 2024 to commence operations.

The Board Chairman said that with the coming into existence of Anioma Microfinance Bank Limited and commencement of operations, Ubulu-Uku would soon become a model for other communities in Delta State as a whole.

With so much enthusiasm and seriousness, he added that “we are going digital in our operations from the outset which is not a common feat for existing Microfinance Banks in Nigeria. Anioma Microfinance Bank Limited is coming as a game changer in Microfinance banking in Ubulu-Uku and Delta State in general.”

The Board Chairman also used the opportunity to emphatically declare that there is no connection between Anioma Microfinance Bank Limited and the defunct Ubulu Microfinance Bank. “That one is a dead entity while Anioma Microfinance Bank Limited jointly founded and funded by a few individuals is starting on a clean slate.”

In his good will message to the Board and Management of the Bank, Ubulu-Uku king, His Royal Majesty Noah Akaeze represented by his chiefs commended “the courage with which our sons and daughters have surmounted the very stringent financial regulations of both government and the Central Bank to achieve this feat.

“Now that we have this bank at our door step, I urge Ubulu-Uku community and people living in the environs to give the bank patronage. This will enable it grow from strength to strength.

“At the same time, I urge the Management of the bank to give our people efficient services and encouragement in the area of soft loans and other banking services.”

According to the Board and Management of the Anioma Microfinance Bank Limited, the bank’s products and services include money transfer both national and international, ATM/POS/e-banking, current account for high networth individuals, corporate, enterprises, associations and individuals.

Other products and services include saving accounts for individuals, joint, group and corporate, treasury bill, fixed deposit account, Isusu daily contribution, loan accounts, micro credits, overdraft, trade finance, salary advance, equipment leasing, distributorship finance, Keke hire purchase, negotiable certificate of deposit. There are Special products and other services.

Atlanticnewsonline observed that following the grand commissioning of the bank, no fewer than ten individuals promptly opened accounts with the bank instantly before the ceremony ended.