Wema Bank on Thursday, December 16, 2021 presented a million Naira cheque to Zainab Ayoola, a 37-year-old petty trader who emerged one of the winners of Wema Bank’s 5for5 promo.
She joined over 400 lucky customers that have been rewarded by the Bank during its 5for5 promo in the past six months. An elated Ayoola kept thanking all the Wema bank staff present for the generous gesture.
Three years prior, while selling loaves of bread in Bariga, opened a Wema bank account. A representative of the bank was teaching market men and women about financial inclusion when she decided to take her first steps towards opening her account despite not having all she didn’t have the necessary documents.
‘I didn’t even have a passport photograph, but they were patient with me. They took me through all the processes, and they have been very helpful ever since.’
After she was contacted as the winner, Ayoola still had her doubts until she visited her bank branch in Bariga. ‘I was shocked when I got the call that I had won a million Naira because I am just a petty trader. I have not done any transactions or sales that are worth that amount. But when I got in, the staff congratulated me and I knew that I was now a millionaire.’
She went on to express her gratitude to the bank, ‘I am grateful to the bank for blessing me this December, they have made my life and this festive period better’ and promised to tell all her friends to bank with Wema and ALAT.
Ayoola also implored the bank to continue with retail outreaches that compelled her to become an account owner, ‘Many people are scared of going to the bank for fear that they might be mocked or taken advantage of. But the outreach allows you to meet people where they are most comfortable.’
The Ilorin native plans to use the money to expand her business and train her 18-year-old daughter.
Dotun Ifebogun, the Divisional Head, Retail Business, Wema Bank Plc stated the bank’s focus on actively spearheading financial inclusion while rewarding customers, ‘So far, the lives of our winners have changed because we are giving them an opportunity to make a difference.
“We are not only creating financial freedom but we are also educating our winners on various ways they can operate their Wema account using functions such as the USSD code and the ALAT app rather than visiting a physical bank.
“It’s important that we can encourage our customers to explore various possibilities.’
The 5for5 promo is a nine-month-long campaign and the bank will continue to reward customers for their loyalty till March 2022.
