Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has launched Alpher as part of the bank’s annual celebrations to mark the International Women’s Day, a global movement to accelerate gender parity across the world.

For those who don’t know, Alpher is a platform to ‘enable success’ and empower women across all segments of the Nigerian society through capacity building opportunities, networking platforms, scholarships and tailored financial services for women.

Furthermore, the financial institution also awarded 40 scholarships to women entrepreneurs to build their capacity through the Enterprise & Leadership Program (ELP) organised by China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in partnership with Leading Ladies Africa.

Speaking on the launch of Alpher, the Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, said; “I am especially pleased that we are unveiling Union Bank’s proposition for women. We are excited about the platform we have developed to support and enable success for women across board. I believe that the world, especially Nigeria, would be a much better place if it is balanced and women have full agency to be all they can be.”

Asides the Chief Executive Officer of the bank, other members of the Board of Directors and employees amidst customers and partners were on hand to celebrate women and support the push for gender parity.

The event also featured a panel discussion on Accelerating Parity; Challenging the Status Quo. Panelists includes; Uchenna Agbo, founder of TrustVas; Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, founder of Pearls Africa Youth Foundation and CNN Hero; Francesca Uriri, founder of Leading Ladies Africa and ZeeZee Ihe-Okuneye, marriage and relationship counsellor.