The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has intensified its financial literacy campaign in secondary schools across Cross River State, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a savings culture among young Nigerians.
Speaking in Calabar on Wednesday, the Principal Manager of the Communications and Public Affairs Department at NDIC, Bokepere Adeghe, said instilling the habit of saving early would help children become financially secure and prudent in managing resources later in life.
The campaign, which involved no fewer than five secondary schools, was hosted at Government Girls Secondary School, Calabar.
Adeghe explained that the initiative is traditionally held annually in October to mark World Savings Day but was rescheduled this year after it could not be conducted last year.
“It is important to enlighten children on the essence of saving and catching them young,” she said, adding that the programme also aims to increase awareness of NDIC’s mandates, including deposit guarantees, bank supervision, resolution, and liquidation.
She reassured students about the safety of funds kept in banks, noting that the corporation protects depositors and promotes confidence in the financial system.
Also speaking, the Zonal Controller of NDIC’s Owerri office, Obialor Ugochuchwu, urged students to ignore rumours suggesting that banks are unsafe.
He stressed that deposits in banks protected by NDIC remain secure and can be recovered even in the event of financial challenges.
Students who participated in the programme welcomed the initiative and pledged to begin saving regularly.
One of the students, Chinaza Kalu, said the session taught her the long-term benefits of saving and the need to use only banks registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In her remarks, the school’s principal, Arit Onaga, expressed appreciation for the selection of the school for the programme. She encouraged the students to apply the lessons learned and share the knowledge with their peers and communities.
