As part of its efforts to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria, Access Bank Plc has announced a partnership with award-winning film producer and director, Kunle Afolayan, on his new movie ‘Citation’.
Chairman of Access Bank, Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika, in a statement announcing the partnership, stressed the importance of the Bank’s efforts towards bridging the gaps that still exist concerning SGBV. 
“At Access Bank, we believe in gender equality and we also believe that there is a need to make women feel safe not only in Nigeria but indeed, across the world. In many societies, women have been setback by issues such as sexual and gender-based violence, denied access to education, finance, and healthcare,” he said. “We have therefore made it our mandate to put 
women where they ought to be and where possible, promote initiatives that will foster a better society for all.”
Commenting on the partnership, Group Head, W Initiative at Access Bank, Ayona Trimnell said: “We believe that women are key catalysts for change in any society. We were very excited at the opportunity to be a part of a project that will not only spotlight some of the prevalent issues around sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria but also serves as a catalyst to address the long-term behavioural change we seek.”
The screening of ‘Citation’ marks the beginning of Access Bank’s month-long activities aimed at addressing prevalent issues on SGBV in Nigeria. As part of the activities planned, the Bank has also partnered with the Nigerian Governors Wives against Gender-based Violence (NGWA-GBV) to implement high-impact projects across all geo-political zones in Nigeria.
On his decision to partner with Access Bank on his latest film, Afolayan stated that “I have seen and heard about the impact Access Bank has been making on the lives of women through its W Initiative, hence, it was easy to select the Bank as a partner given their body of work. Sexual harassment is an issue that is very rampant globally. ‘Citation’ wasn’t created to announce that these issues exist; rather encourage conversations about the measures that need to be put in place in other to curb the menace that is sexual and gender-based violence.”
‘Citation’ follows the story of Moremi Oluwa, a young postgraduate student who experiences sexual harassment from a lecturer. It stars Temi Otedola in her debut role as Moremi alongside Haitian-born Hollywood star, Jimmy Jean Louis; Joke Silva, Ghana’s Adjetey Anang, Gabriel Afolayan, Sadiq Daba and Ini Edo, among others.
The film had its exclusive premiere last Saturday at Terra Kulture Arena in Lagos. It will make its global debut on Netflix this Friday November 6.
