An aide to Osun State Governor, Olaniyi Akinloye, on Monday, distributed piggy banks and notebooks to over 1000 students in a bid to encourage the habit of saving.
The event, held in Gbongan to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day, saw the items presented to students drawn from primary and secondary schools in Ayedaade local government area. Akinloye also highlighted that training in technology and craft was part of the activities marking the annual celebrations.
Explaining the purpose of the initiative, Akinloye stated, “We tagged the programme of today ‘Importance of Financial Intelligence for Children’. We did a quick analysis some time ago and we discovered that the economic crisis was a result of low savings from people and that is why we are trying to instil the habit of savings into the children.”
He further emphasized, “The piggy banks distributed to secondary school pupils among the beneficiaries were meant to instil in them the habit of saving money when they have more than they need.”
Akinloye also addressed the broader economic impact, saying, “If we can control consumption a bit to have good savings, you will agree with me that the economy is going to be robust and unnecessary frivolities will be cut off.”
In addition to encouraging savings, the event included technological and craft training for the students. Akinloye elaborated, “We are not just telling them to save, but we are also teaching them what they can do to make money and not spend it all. We have over 1000 students that are benefiting from this project. A lot of things are going on for students in the state.”
Collins Dictionary defines a piggy bank as “a small container shaped like a pig, with a narrow hole in the top through which to put coins. Children often use piggy banks to save money.”
