In
its continued effort to create and preserve wealth and curb
unemployment among youths, Heritage Bank Plc in partnership with the
Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) has graduated 100 young
entrepreneurs in the CVL Young Entrepreneurship Training Programme
(YETP) in Ajegunle, Lagos.
The
CVL is aimed at identifying young people, especially youths in densely
populated communities and putting them through a full year of training
in small business management. These young entrepreneurs who have been
trained in various skills such as catering, bead making, event
management, fashion design, arts, hair dressing, shoe cobbling among
others have also imbibed comprehensive business management and
entrepreneurship skills that would equip them to be successful business
owners.
Speaking
at the event, The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Heritage
Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, expressed appreciation to the founder of CVL,
Professor Pat Utomi, for the initiative and implored the graduands to
reciprocate by making the best of the
opportunity. In his words, “we are attracted to CVL because we seek how
we can harness entrepreneurial skills of people, reduce unemployment and
foster development of communities, like the Ajegunle community. We are
delighted with the mechanics of this program and we recognize the
strategic importance and impact of successful businesses could have on
young entrepreneurs and the society, which is why we provide funds for
start-ups.”
As
a way of showing Heritage Bank’s commitment to the initiative, the
Managing Director, who was represented by the Divisional Head, Corporate
Banking, Heritage Bank, Apapa Region Mr. Kehinde Olugbemi announced
that two physical agent banking kiosks will be opened and commissioned
before the end of the year so as to make financial services more
accessible to the graduands as well as the city of Ajegunle.
His
Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, who was
represented by Mrs Olabisi Boko, a Director in the State Ministry of
Employment tasked them to use the acquired skills immensely to add value
to their wellbeing. In the Governor’s words: “the Lagos State
Government is committed to fighting unemployment by collaborating with
private sector initiatives such as the CVL’s in achieving this goal.”
The Governor called on the private sector and stakeholders of the
economy to emulate as well as support the CVL initiative.
Otun
Ahmed Temitayo, an Arts graduate of Ekiti State University, who is also
one of the beneficiaries, expressed his satisfaction with the program.
“I have learnt how to boost my career in a more business oriented way
and I intend taking my game to the next level.” Temitayo, who already
owns an arts studio plans to showcase his works in arts exhibition to
promote his business as the YETP programme has broadened his business
horizon.
A
catering graduate of the program, Oyedele Oluwakemi, says she sees the
YETP Programme as a platform for business networking. “It is very
impactful in terms of learning and how to negotiate business deals and
also meet new professionals in your chosen field.” Oluwakemi intends to
start a mini catering school where she can also groom other caterers
while nurturing her business.
Also,
a fashion designer, Nneka Izuhgba, simply expressed her satisfaction
with the programme and highlighted how the programme has taught her the
essence of good customer relations in business management. “I have
learnt how to communicate effectively with potential customers and also
attract new ones.”
Present
at the event were religious and traditional rulers of the Ajegunle
Community, who expressed gratitude to Heritage Bank for coming to their
community with such a vital development programme.
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