Microfinance bank, group partner to empower public school teachers

The Illmi Children’s Fund (ICF) and Peace Microfinance Bank (PMFB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to financially empower teachers and educators.

The Managing Director of ICF, Mrs Maryam Augie-Abdulmumin, disclosed this on Saturday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MOU, is to set up the TARM (Training, Advocacy, Research, Mentorship) Cooperative, a ground-breaking initiative designed to empower teachers financially and support their crucial role in education.

Augie-Abdulmumin said the partnership with PFMB was to empower female teachers in their work with adolescent girls.

She noted that the programme would offer teachers training in the prevention of Gender -Based Violence (GBV) at home and school.

Augie -Abdulmumin added that the co-operative also sought to help both male and female teachers plan for a secure retirement.

“This partnership will also empower teachers who become members to retire to a future of ease.

“ICF is committed to social impact through empowerment and entrepreneurship ,and we could not pass off the golden opportunity that this partnership offers us to do what we do best,” Augie-Abdulmumin said

On her part, the Managing Director of PMFB, Ms Judith Onyishi, said that the partnership was aimed at giving teachers access to financial tools to plan for the future.

“Through this partnership with ICF on setting up the TARM Cooperative, we are giving teachers access to financial tools and resources they need to plan for a secure future while strengthening their ability to continue to do their work whole-heartedly.

“We believe that teachers deserve a retirement plan that is dignifying and gives them hope.

“The TARM Cooperative is a significant step towards ensuring financial stability for teachers, allowing them to focus on their important work of educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders.” Onyishi said.

According to her , TARM Cooperative offers a diverse range of benefits to eligible public school teachers, with future expansion planned for private schools.

She added that the benefits included secure retirement plans, easy access to loans, flexible payment options, financial literacy training and entrepreneurial growth.

Source: NAN