Activities marking the Heritage Bank Children Banking Month peaked at the weekend with the celebration of the Nigerian child, when it feted children in the “biggest children’s party of the year” at the King’s College Annex grounds, Victoria Island, Lagos. Sponsored by the bank’s kiddies account, the Bud Account, under the theme, “Taking the Early Lead,” over 700 children gathered to be treated to various great and exciting experiences that included both physical and cerebral exercises, in which many prizes were won to the delight of watchful parents who were also not left out of the fun. The Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Mr Ifie Sekibo, congratulated the children on their special recognition and celebration by the country every year on May 27 because of the importance of their position as the destiny of our great nation, Nigeria. Sekibo, who was represented by the Executive Director, Lagos/Southwest & Corporate Banking, Mrs Mary Akpobome, reiterated the objective of the bank to do all that it can to equip the Nigerian Child with the requisite knowledge they require to be remarkable leaders of the future. Consequently, the Managing Director said in keeping with the vision of the bank of helping its partners, including children, to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations, the bank has introduced the first ever financial literacy comic book, “The Protectors, Keepers of the Heritage,” to teach children, in a fun way, rudimentary financial education and how to save and invest money for bigger things. He urged them to stay focused in school and their academics. Said he: “I also want to let you know that you can be anything you want to be in the future if you listen to mummy and daddy and also to your teachers in school.” The children, who had loads of fun and lots of refreshments at the event, which the MD said was a huge Heritage Bank family party, volunteered to give special numbers in songs, describing the bank severally as their hero, child-friendly and a bank that puts the young generation first, among others. There were a variety of games for the young ones like bouncing castles, car rides, swimming, face painting, cycling, music, dancing competitions and lots of food, ice cream, drinks, cakes, popcorn for the children, who ran around in branded Bud Account shirts. Top Bud Account savers in the Lagos region were recognized, and were presented special gifts by the Divisional Head of Cowry/SME Division Mrs. OriOgba while the goody bags containing lots of gifts were given out to all the children by the Executive Director Mary Akpobome.
