A microfinance bank, ASHA Microfinance Bank, on Thursday, held a medical outreach and sanitation at the Oyigbo market in Lagos State as part of its ‘CLEAN-A-MARKET’ campaign.
The exercise, which was held at the market square, involved participants getting tested for blood pressure and sugar level tests, among others.
It also involved the cleaning of waste by members of the microfinance bank team alongside some members of the market.
Speaking to PUNCH Metro at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ASHA, Funmilola Paseda, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at promoting environmental hygiene, public health awareness, and encouraging active participation from traders in the marketplace.
She explained that part of their community efforts is the Clean a Market Initiative, which involves sweeping the market and supporting traders with health checks such as blood pressure and temperature monitoring.
“We are a bank, as you know, and we support women’s empowerment. We encourage and promote financial inclusion. We also create time to support our environment.
“We are here to support with cleaning the environment, with sweeping, as you have seen us do since morning.
“Apart from that, we are also here to help the traders look at the status of their health,” Paseda said.
She noted that beyond showing concerns for the traders, the firm also offered them loans to support their businesses.
“We’ve provided what we call a borehole system to major communities where we operate, so they have access to clean water,” she added.
A beneficiary who identified herself simply as Dasola commended the bank for the gesture, stressing that the initiative had further encouraged them to maintain cleanliness in the market.
She said, “They’ve come to help us clean the market. They’re trying, it is nice, and we’re happy. We, the traders, clean the market every morning before sales, but today, they’ve helped us make it cleaner. With the donation, our market will be cleaner.”
Another trader in the market noted, “It’s very good and I love it. God will bless them, promote them, and prosper them.
The highlight of the campaign included the donation of a refuse bin, brooms, aprons, and umbrella stands to the market.
PUNCH Metro reported on Monday that the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Calvary Zone, Oshodi, carried out its annual medical outreach that benefited about 500 residents over the weekend.
PUNCH.
