Author Advocates Financial Literacy Among Youths

• Author Advocates Financial Literacy Among Youths

A public servant and author, Ejemai Olayemi, has unveiled six new children books to address the financial literacy and value needs of Nigerian children.

Olayemi said the feat was a major boost for the country’s financial and educational sector.

Speaking at the unveiling of the books – My Piggy Bank, Money Matters, Keeping Promises, I am not a Bully, I love my body and God made us all – the author indicated that she was worried at the dearth of financial knowledge and reading culture in the country and called on parents to start ensuring their children imbibed the culture of reading.

She noted that a recent report indicated that over 62 million Nigerians were unable to read nor write and Nigeria was said to be contributing about six per cent of the over one billion persons around the World who could neither read nor write.

“This, therefore, is the time to help our children start reading,” she stressed.

Reviewing some of the books ‘My Piggy Bank’ and ‘Money Matters’ , Mrs. Funke Osibodu , who was an astute banker and currently the managing director of Benin Electricity Distribution Company said that the books were to encourage children to start making the right financial decisions now so they could build their understanding of how to earn, save and invest money.

She said that the books would help children learn money management, help them gain financial freedom, and prepare them for the future.

Osibodu said imbibing financial principles at an early age would go a long way to help the young ones work hard, manage their resources effectively, appreciate how money works and how it could be channeled to productive ventures.

She said, “Our young people are the hope and future drivers of this country. We want them to understand and appreciate the importance of prudent management of resources in ensuring their personal well-being, financial security and independence in future. Saving your money in a Piggy bank, box, wallet or ‘KOLO’ is a good starting point.”

Osibodu who was praised for the transparency and discipline that she introduced at the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to ensure the cost of printing books were reduced for affordability.