Debo Adeoye,Ibadan
A non profit NGO, the Yoruba Progressive Foundation (YPF), through its Interest-free Loan Scheme released One Million Naira Cheque to groups of market women from Lafenwa Area, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Thursday May 9, 2019.
The Cheque was presented to the leadership of various market women groups from Lafenwa area by the representatives of the Foundation (YPF), Ọ́tunba (Arc.) Sotílewá Ọ̀ṣífẹ̀sọ.
The scheme according to Otunba Ọ̀ṣífẹ̀sọ is completely free of any interest or charges, no collateral assets, no guarantors, no administrative charges. It is a loan without hassle.
He pointedly declared that it was initiated to ease the pain of raising fund to support the business of market women.
“This funding scheme is 0% interest Microfinance initiative for the rural area market women. We will be releasing #1,000,000.00 to our mothers today during a press conference that would follow this event.”
One of the beneficiaries of the loan, Madam Mariam Raji described the project as the best ever. “Among the different types of finance deals that are offered by various providers across the marketplace, Microfinance Banks or even Commercial Banks, YPF Interest free loan is the most attractive, supportive and outstanding.”
“When you borrow N50,000 and not a Kobo is paid as interest, who wouldn’t be interested in a deal like that. You know what they say about if things look too good to be true? Despite this, YPF interest free loans generate a huge amount of interest, with many of our market women applying and ultimately taking out these products, because it is real and genuine.”
“There are many types of loans currently in the marketplace and we know what we are going through in the hands of the operators of these loans. We are grateful to the good people that initiated this great idea, it is a better relief for everyone of us. Only God can reward YPF for this wonderful and unmatched assistance which I termed ‘Super Bailout,” Madam Raji started.
While giving more explanation about the scheme to the Gongnews, Mr. Lateef who served as Market Relation Officer to the Foundation stated the criteria for qualifications and repayment method.
“To qualify for the loan, you must be a member of one of the group in any of our targeted markets. You must apply through your group, it is the group that will evaluate your loan worthiness and approve your application. The approved forms will be forwarded to YPF and the loans will be disbursed within a few days of this notification.”
“The repayment of loan is made relatively convenient by the fact that it can be done on a weekly or monthly basis for five (5) months. If loan beneficiaries do not find it convenient to make constant trips to their banks to make repayments, bank agents will visit their shops/market places on a regular basis to take an account deposit instead. You can apply for another loan after the payment of the previous loan,” Lateef clarified.
The Foundation also used the occasion to launch its N100,000,000.00 Coding Academy for Youths. In his explaination to journalists, Otunba Ọ̀ṣífẹ̀sọ described the coding academy as one with interest from Disney Corporation amongst others and a part of YPF’s 100 Yoruba, 100 million naira initiative spare headed by Mr Fẹ́mi Oduyẹ́mi who also is a member of YPF.
“It wasn’t long ago that coding was seen by many as an odd hobby for geeks tinkering with computers in their basements. But the public perception is starting to change. Coding has progressed from a hobby to a critical career skill. Employers have shown their willingness to pay a premium for the work of employees with coding and programming skills. As it turns out, this once-novel pastime.”
“If you are still questioning why your children should learn to code I would like to discuss with you 6 of the ways learning to code will be of great benefits to our youths.
1. Coding and programming careers have great earning potential. There are also opportunities to earn foreign currency on monthly basis.
2. Demand remains strong for coding-related jobs. What good is a strong salary if no one is looking to hire for the position? When it comes to coding-related jobs, there’s still plenty of opportunity.
3. Coding ability gives new perspective to problem solving. Learning to code has the inadvertent effect of teaching you how to think. Coding experience will teach you to approach problems logically.
4. Learning to code offers career flexibility. Learning to code can help open up new areas of opportunity in your career and ultimately make you a more flexible candidate in a rapidly-shifting digital economy.
5. Learning to code can be a fun bonding opportunity for families. How often do you have the opportunity to learn something practical and new with your kids? Parents with school-aged children have the chance to start from square one together as they learn the fundamentals of programming and coding.
6. Coding can be useful in jobs you might not expect. While it’s true that learning to code is more important for some roles, that doesn’t mean you can’t find practical ways to apply coding knowledge in non-coding jobs.”
“You don’t have to be a programming whiz to reap the benefits of learning to code. Knowing just enough to be useful can still be a positive asset in most business environments,” Otunba Osifeso exppained.
The third project of the Foundation which according to Otunba Osifeso will be launched later this year is the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development for youths across the Yorubaland.
