….we’ll foster new approach to entrepreneurship – Oniko

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA -IN bid to change the narrative in the financial industry, APICES Finance Company Limited, Wednesday, was officially unveiled to drive financial inclusivity and create new vista of viable and sustainable businesses in all sectors of the economy.

The launch was done in the heart of Abuja, where the Group Managing Director, APICES Finance Company Limited, Chief Daniel Oniko, on the sidelines of the sidelines said they are a professional firm that understands the financial industry and will operate in a new dimension to ensure the existing financial gaps are bridged and catalyse entrepreneurship, inclusion of youth, women, artisans, petty traders, farmers, and among others.

Oniko further stated that they are out to concentrate on employment and wealth creation among Nigerian youth through strategic development, therefore, they are already training young employees to emerge soon as major captains of industry.

According to him, these youth are being trained systematically in financial transactions and operational processes that would take them deep into the financial services.

He said the company had an amazing niche it has carved for itself that distinguishes it from other financial institutions in terms of its products for the market, vast financial experience and deep knowledge of the financial sector.

He said with his 24 years professional banking experience, the company has carefully put out savings and investment products that would empower the lower, middle, and upper segments of the market.

He said: “I just talked about the gold-for-cash facility. I don’t think any bank in Nigeria is doing that. And that is something we are bringing to the market; to uplift people who have the wealth that is tied in their pillow, that we can actually exploit that to make them trade and understand that they can trade with that even when they still own the value of gold. So we are coming back.

“We are also doing debt factoring. Debt factoring, of course, is a legal framework where funds are actually released for some contractors and other contractors and companies who are doing supplies and all that to various companies where their payment circle is being withheld and all that. And we are ready to come and play on that field to actually release such funds to boost the economy and create more wealth for people.”

Meanwhile, the financial expert maintained that APICES Finance is out to upscale businesses and add value to their operations for profitability.

However, he pointed out that many business opportunities are out there in Nigeria, but the people need to step up to harness them instead of limiting themselves financially.

In a remark, the Chairman, Board of Directors, APICES Finance, Mrs. Evie Ukodiko represented by a member of the Board of Directors, Chief Moses Chukwu, described launch of the company as the first step, acknowledging that it is a long-term plan to build “a financial powerhouse that contributes to national economic growth and empowers stakeholders across sectors.”

Ukodiko also explained the mission of industry, APICES Finance, which is to back up businesses,boost partnerships, establish young people in business, grant farmers access to finance, and make their financial services all inclusive for a shred prosperity cutting across all stratas of the society.

She also reaffirmed the company’s dedication and readiness to change the storyline in the financial industry, and added that their operations will be driven by digitalisation, technology and smealess access by all categories of customers.

Meanwhile, speaking on youth inclusion in the financial space, she stressed that, “We have so many youths that have skills that can convert their skills into money. But because they lack opportunity and they lack access to finance, most of those dreams remain a mirage.

‘And that is why we say, we are intentional and it is a partnership for prosperity. When we discover such youths who have skills, have talents, we will partner with them to bring that dream to reality and convert it into money.”