In the light of the attendant risks associated with online transactions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other relevant stakeholders have been advised to ensure that the confidence of Nigerians is increased in order for them to embrace mobile banking in the country.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, gave this charge Friday while speaking at the 4th Annual Conference of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) held at the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) Lagos.

According to him, this could be enhanced by putting in place, robust security measures to combat sharp practices that easily put off potential online bankers.

Ayorinde recalled that since the CBN introduced the mobile money (electronic payment systems) in 2010, the financial transactions among individuals and organisations have been revolutionised.

He noted that as a result, we now experience a relative ease while carrying out commercial and non-commercial transactions and other forms of monetary transactions across the country.

The Commissioner, who was represented by Mrs. Toro Adedapo, Director of Press and Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy said in view of the fast emerging world of electronic transactions, the state government, for instance, has continued to adopt necessary strategic electronic solutions for prompt and effective public service delivery in order to make government businesses and by inference services, more accessible and seamlessly delivered to the populace.

While acknowledging the success of the e-payment system in driving the state's revenue generation, the Commissioner added that the state government would continue to invest and deploy information technology infrastructure to meet the challenges and expectation of the citizenry.

Commending BJAN for organising the conference, he noted that the theme of the conference, 'Mobile Money in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities and Threats' was very appropriate owing to the growth of the mobile economy across the world especially with emerging economies like Nigeria and Bangladesh among others leading the pack of countries with upsurge in mobile services.

"I must commend the initiators for the foresight, introduction and sustenance of this annual conference, which has remained a veritable platform for enriching and thought provoking treatises, meeting of minds and brainstorming for Brand Journalists and other stakeholders on issues that can help in promoting and transforming the nation's economy," Ayorinde said.

Earlier in his welcome address, BJAN President, Mr. Goddie Ofose, said the mobile money was chosen as a topic for discussion based on a number of reasons.

According to him, for instance, the association believe that Nigeria is at a juncture where a remodeling of the financial services system was critical as a means of enabling credit, facilitating transactions, minimising the risks associated with heavy cash movements, facilitating exchange and making access easier, cheaper and more convenient.

The BJAN President commended the Lagos State Government, Stanbic IBTC, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Access Bank, NCC and others for their support towards the conference as they look forward to another conference next year.

Among dignitaries that attended the conference were Emeka Oparah, Director, Sponsorship, events PR, Airtel Nigeria, Francis Nwoboshi, Head, Mobile & Acquiring Channels, Stanbic IBTC, Melevin Awolowo, Acting Communication Manager, Stanbic IBTC, Demola Adesina, Business Banking Marketing Manager, Stanbic IBTC, and Ibrahim Abdulahi, Finance Officer, WHO.

Others were Emmanuel Agha, CEO, Innovatives, Sola Fanawopo, CEO, eMaginations, Aminu Bizi, CEO, Bizi Mobile Cashless among others.

•Photo shows Steve Ayorinde.

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