Securing a great future for your child

As parents, one of the best ways to secure a good future for your children is teaching them financial literacy at a young age. This was top on the agenda of First Bank of Nigeria plc at a programme organised to mark this year’s edition of Children’s Day.

The events include a film show at Silverbird Galleria, where youth products were launched in partnership with LEGO, the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of children’s toys.

Speaking at the event, Folake Ani-Mumuney, communications manager, FirstBank, says the partnership with LEGO signposts the bank’s quest to create a platform for Nigerian children to express their creative talents, to deploy their innate abilities to something positive while also instilling in them the culture of financial discipline.

According to her, the initiative is targeted at children between ages 0 – 24. Acknowledging the huge differences in the needs and interests of those within this broad segment, she says the bank created sub-segments in order to provide more relevant and useful products to benefits its young customers.

“These sub-segments are 0-12,” she explains, “comprising pre-school and primary school students; 13-17, comprising junior secondary and senior secondary school students, and 18-24, comprising young adults.

“Each sub-segment has its owned tailored product and 360-engagement programme,” she says, adding that “one of the strongest values of this initiative is the fact that all account holders have the benefit of operating their accounts even after crossing the age bar of each segment.”

In addition, she says most parents fail to plan for their children’s future, while some plan to secure the future for their children. “As a child, the very best gift to receive is an investment or a trust fund kept for you. The thought of having this savings makes you feel comfortable about your future. That’s why First Bank of Nigeria plc sees that investing in your child’s future should start now and at an early stage, to help improve their financial standards and teach them how to manage their finances.”

The Land of Chima, the film shown, tells the story of a once pristine, natural paradise, called Chima. Chima has become a battle ground for eight animal tribes. Best friends are now enemies. The animals fight for control of a natural resource called Chi, a powerful element that is both a source of life and potential destruction. Only a few brave heroes in Chima understand the true nature of Chi, and the possible downfall of Chima that will result from its misuse. Their stories, and the stories of those who seek to destroy them, are known as The Legends of Chima.

For a thousand years, animal tribes have ruled the Land of Chima. Lions, crocodiles, eagles, wolves, gorillas, ravens, rhinos and bears lived in peace. They played and worked together, co-operated and prospered – until the outbreak of the Chima conflicts.

As the first species to drink from the Ancient Pool of Chi, the Lions had become its sworn protector. No one had ever challenged the Lions’ custodianship of the Pool because the Lions had always been reliable and fair with the Chi. Animals throughout the land relied on the magical Chi orbs to energise their vehicles, gear, and themselves. The orbs were a power source that the Lions had always shared equally with everyone.

Eventually, some of the animals got greedy. A young, rogue Crocodile prince named Cragger demanded that his tribe should receive a greater share of the powerful Chi orbs. But the Lions insisted, as they had for a thousand years, that giving too much Chi to any one tribe would upset the natural balance of Chima. The Lions only wanted to be fair, and to protect all of Chima. But the Crocodiles didn’t see it this way. A series of minor skirmishes over the Crocodiles’ share of the Chi led to bigger battles.

When the Crocodile Prince Cragger accused the Lions of getting rid of his parents, and he became Crocodile King, full-scale conflict broke out between the Crocodiles and the Lions. As the conflict spreads, the fate of Chima hangs in the balance… the power of Chi has ensured peace and balance between the animals of Chima. But not anymore. Cragger, the crocodile prince, has planned a revolt against the noble Lions.

He joined forces with the Wolves and the Ravens, and together they plan to conquer the noble Lions and seize the Chi of Chima.

Realising the imperative of building financial discipline among young people, the new initiative is aimed at creating a platform that encourages savings culture among children while also engaging, entertaining and rewarding them.