“We are proud to stand with Imo State on this forward-thinking journey. It’s not just about giving loans—it’s about weaving financial inclusion into the very fabric of group enterprises” – Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group
There’s an old saying that echoes through our villages and cities: “A single broom cannot sweep clean, but many brooms tied together can clear any floor.” That timeless wisdom is exactly what the Imo State Government had in mind when it launched the ÓKÓBÌ Initiative—and now, FirstBank is stepping in to help make that vision a reality for even more Nigerians.
So, what exactly is ÓKÓBÌ? It stands for One Kindred One Business, and it’s beautifully simple. Instead of struggling alone, people come together—just like families and communities have always done—to start and run businesses as a group. Think of it as turning our natural bond of kinship into a powerful tool for fighting poverty and creating shared wealth.
Governor Hope Uzodimma dreamed up this plan because he knows something we all feel deep down: we are stronger together. And the results so far speak for themselves. Since 2023, over 600 businesses have been registered under this program, bringing together nearly 20,000 people who now work, save, and succeed as one. But that’s just the beginning—the target is to create or support 100,000 jobs within the next few years.
Now, FirstBank has thrown its full weight behind this initiative. For the bank, this isn’t just about writing a cheque. It’s about keeping a promise they’ve always made to everyday Nigerians—to stand by small business owners, to make banking services reach every corner of our country, and to help build a Nigeria that works for everyone.
Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, put it this way: “When people hold each other accountable, businesses grow stronger. ÓKÓBÌ takes the trust we already have in our communities and turns it into real economic progress.”
He went on to explain that the bank’s support goes beyond traditional lending. “We are proud to stand with Imo State on this forward-thinking journey. It’s not just about giving loans—it’s about weaving financial inclusion into the very fabric of group enterprises. By supporting these community-owned businesses, we are helping more people share in the wealth they create together, building a system that lasts.”
Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Imo State Government, also had kind words for the initiative. He described ÓKÓBÌ as a smart and practical answer to the twin challenges of unemployment and informal work that plague many of our communities. In just a short time, he said, the program has already proven what is possible when people are given the right support.
And he had a message for other companies too: take a cue from FirstBank. When we empower people to become business owners as a group, we’re not just helping a few individuals—we’re strengthening families, lifting villages, and building a stronger nation for all of us.
For the ordinary citizen in Owerri, Orlu, or Okigwe, this means something real. It means that instead of scratching out a living alone, you can join hands with your neighbours, register a business, get the support you need, and watch your little effort grow into something that feeds your children and sends them to school.
ÓKÓBÌ is proof that the answers to our biggest problems don’t always have to come from far away. Sometimes, they come from within—from our own communities, our own traditions, and our own willingness to work together. And with partners like FirstBank coming on board, that future looks brighter than ever.
