The Chairperson, National Association of Microfinance Banks’ Executives, Kwara State branch, Mrs. Halima Yusuf, has said that the recent withdrawal of licences of some MFBs in the country did not affect any of the banks in the state.

She stated that officials of the MFBs in the state had been doing great work to manage the banks efficiently.

A communiqué by the association after its emergency meeting quoted Yusuf as appealing to the state government, well-to-do individuals and organisations to contribute more to the growth of the MFBs in the state.

She stated that most of the MFBs needed funds to meet up with their growing customers.

She appealed to the Kwara State government to assist the MFBs with funds.

“Out of 900 licensed MFBs in the country, 83 MFBs licences were withdrawn. We thank God that Kwara State has 23 MFBs which are intact,” Yusuf said.

She stated that the MFBs in the state had been creating jobs and providing financial services to improve the lives of the people and reduce poverty.

Yusuf said, “The association has been deeply involved in the sector’s capacity building by training MFBs personnel and their customers in managing their resources efficiently to reduce poverty level in the state.

“We appeal to the state government to assist the MFBs with funds as the case with Kano State government that gave financial and infrastructure supports to the MFBs in its state.

“Likewise Alhaji Aliko Dangote, an indigene of Kano State, gave the MFBs a large sum of money to support their operations in the state; the same with the Niger State government. Their actions have impacted positively on the lives of their people.”