VC opened Unical Micro-Finance Bank (UMFB) Branch at Ikot Offiong Ambai, Akpabuyo local Government Area.

 

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. James Epoke has officially opened Unical Micro-Finance Bank (UMFB) Branch at Ikot Offiong Ambai, Akpabuyo local Government Area.

Prof. James Epoke in his address described the event as an epoch making event because apart from the official opening of a Branch of Unical Micro-Finance Bank in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, it also witnessed the commissioning of customized Automated Teller Machine (ATM) the first of such banking facilities in Akpabuyo Local Government Area.

The Vice Chancellor congratulated (UMFB) for making good use of the mandate of CBN to open Branches in all Local Government Areas of Cross River State, Akpabuyo being the third of the Local Government Areas, the bank has established its presence, after Calabar South and Calabar Municipality.

He urged the entire Local Government Areas, and rural dwellers to avail themselves of the high quality and diverse banking services of the bank to expand their micro, small and medium scale businesses.

The Vice Chancellor who is also the Board Chairman of (UMFB), also disclosed that the upgrading of the banking infrastructure will offer E-banking services and create open doors item of diverse business opportunities to the general public and also undertake on behalf of its clients, school fees collection, salary payment, SMS alert on customers and account, local money transfer to any bank in the country.

Others include multifunctional ATM, POS (point of sales) Pay Direct System-Water Bills etc and consultancy advisory services and capacity building.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive officer (CEO), Mr. John Owan in his opening remark said the drive behind establishing these new rural branches is to reach out to a wider rural vicinity to stem the challenges and burden of travelling to Calabar out banking transactions.

He urged them to key into this dream as they stand to benefit immensely from the modern banking technologies of the bank and its prompt services.

The Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Rev. Costakis Etim Caiafas represented by Elder Okpo Esien Ita said the idea to open the Branch of UMFB at Akpbuyo will go a long way to address the State Government partnership with private Institution to encourage growth of Local Government Areas.

In an address the Clan Head of the Host Community, Ikot Offiong Ambai, Sir King Umo Okong Effiong II, commended the effort of UMFB and the entire University community for choosing their community to site this credible investment, a vision capable of positive transformation to the people of Ikot Offiong Ambai.

Sir King Umo Effiong II promised to throw the community support in respect of security to the bank, ensuring and maintaining peaceful working environment for the bank to thrive and also patronize the bank with all sincerity.

The Chairman, Akpabuyo Local Government Council, Dr Patrick E. Okon thanked the management and the Board of UMFB for choosing Akpabuyo to site the bank for ease and convenience of administration amongst fast growing economy in the area.

Dr Patrick Okon promised to do official business with the bank to ensure the growth and encourage staff of the Local Government Area to register with the bank and provide adequate security for the bank to thrive