The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it was targeting about 25,000 women and youths in Ebonyi State in its digital financial inclusion drive.

According to the central bank, its digital financial inclusion drive gives it an opportunity to actively engage with the unbanked population and to provide them with necessary tools for economic empowerment and inclusion.

The Director, Development Finance Department, CBN, Mr. Philip Yila Yusuf, said this during the unveiling of the digital financial inclusion drive for women and youths at the Onueke Township Staduim, Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

Yusuf who was represented by the Branch Controller, CBN, Abakaliki, Mr. Adayi Christopher, assured that the women and youths would also have opportunities to learn about investment opportunities and how to sustainably grow their finances.

Entitled: “Open Account, Get Beta Life,”Yusuf said throughout the week, financial service providers would be available to help unbanked women and youths to make informed decisions about products uptake which includes savings accounts, micro pensions, micro insurance, Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration and NIN registration amongst others.

Yusuf said the women and youths would also have the opportunity to learn about investment opportunities and how to sustainably grow their finances.

According to him, “financial inclusion is also important for household and businesses because interacting with formal systems allows individuals keep their finances safe in saving accounts.”

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi commended the CBN over the initiative, saying it he would support the program so that women and youths in the state would have the opportunity of benefitting from any intervention from the apex bank.

Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Chinwe Okah, the Governor enjoined the women to key into the program to enable them benefits in various programs of the state government.