COVID-19: Ecobank Commits N100M to “StaySafeNigeria” Radio Campaign …Announces Zero Charge for Digital Money Transfers Below N5,000

Ololade Adeyanju/ 

 Ecobank Nigeria says it is committing about N100 million to drive its National Radio Campaign “StaySafeNigeria”, as part of its corporate actions to support measures to check the rising spread of Coronavirus.

The campaign which is a call to action, creating awareness and educating the populace on safety measures to adopt against the dreaded COVID -19, is currently running in over 50 radio stations across the six geopolitical zones of the country, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) network news. This amount is in addition to the bank’s contribution as a corporate member of the Bankers Committee and the Nigerian Private Sector led Coalition to raise funds against COVID-19,

The bank says in a statement received by NewsmakersNG that details of the contribution would be made public in due course.

The campaign messaging which is in Pidgin, Ibo, Hausa and Yoruba is also being driven through the social media and is trending extensively on #StaySafeNigeria, #StaySafeNaija, #StaySafe tag following massive support from members of the Creative industry essentially on a philanthropic basis.

The bank thanked entertainers and football stars who have so far adopted the campaign as a show of commitment and belief in its approach in the public enlightenment of Nigerians, ensuring the message is taken to every doorstep, especially at the grassroots for all citizens to imbibe the ethos of “StaySafeNigeria”.

The bank listed those who have supported to include the Legends of Nollywood, Linda Ikeji,  Brodashaggi, Alex Ekubo, Taooma, Sound Sultan, Bolanke Austen Peter’s, Mr Macaroni, Teni Oluwo, Dala Oruwari, former African Footballer of the year, Victor Ikpeba,  football legends, Austin Eguavoen, Garba Lawal and Mutiu Adepoju amongst several others. The bank is also using the opportunity to invite other stars to join the #“StaySafeNigeria” campaign to sustain a new national reorientation on hygiene.

The bank also announced that any money transferred on its digital platforms below N5,000 would be free of charge to customers, until April 30, to encourage citizens to adopt digital banking that supports safety measures, particularly the social distancing campaign, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Announcing this in Lagos, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan noted that the bank’s priority is peoples’ wellbeing and is, therefore, determined to support everyone in the face of an unplanned shutdown which already has a huge economic impact on citizens.

By this announcement users of Ecobank Mobile, Ecobank Online, USSD-Ecobank *326#, Omni Lite, can now do transfers below N5, 000 at zero fees.

Before now, Ecobank customers who perform transactions on the bank’s platform by dialling *326# do so free of the USSD session fee.

Mr Akinwuntan said, “We have no choice as a caring and responsible corporate organisation than to rise up to this challenge of our generation and make every contribution to check the spread and save lives. Our media campaign is engaging people in very simple language on important tips to stay safe. The campaign will be sustained to continue promoting good hygiene conduct even after we overcome Coronavirus. We are also determined to support the Nigerian government and to ensure the impact of the business shut down is minimal on the citizens. We encourage our customers to utilize our digital self-service solutions, including Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Online, EcobankPay, Ecobank OmniPlus, Omni Lite and the RapidTransfer App without having to visit branches. This is as part of our efforts to ensure social distancing which will help curtail the spread of COVID-19. By utilizing these digital offerings, you can easily access your bank accounts, make payments, transfer funds, process salaries, and carry out your other ancillary banking transactions from the comfort of your home and office without visiting the branch.”

Also speaking, Olukorede Demola-Adeniyi, Head of Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, says customers who are yet to upgrade to the new Ecobank Mobile App 4.0 should quickly do so. The Ecobank Mobile App is available for all banking transactions because of its versatility and salient benefits which include the following;

The ability to send money to anyone via email or SMS by simply selecting the recipient from your contacts and send money to their email or phone number. The recipient will be able to get the money using any bank account, even if they don’t have an Ecobank account.

Ability to create virtual cards for safe shopping and enjoy the convenience of a virtual card without worrying about it being linked to your account – customer can create several virtual cards.

Ability to split bills without fuss, enabling you to share expenses as you desire, with friends and family, who will simply get notifications on what they need to refund you. It’s a smart way to get your money back without hounding”.

Further, Mrs Demola-Adeniyi, reiterated that the Ecobank Mobile app supports customers to pay the fast and stress-free way with EcobankPay by simply scanning the QR code or dial *326*6*Amount*Terminal ID# to pay. “It saves you PoS charges and less human contact. When next you are at the store and need to pay, just ask the merchant for EcobankPay.  Regardless of what you want to achieve, the Ecobank Mobile App is available for you”. She noted.

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