LEAP Africa partners bank on training

UNION Bank has partnered the Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability Professionalism (LEAP) Africa in implementing the 2015/2016 Social Innovators Programme (SIP).

At the Social Innovators Workshop about 20 young Nigerian change agents, innovators and social entrepreneurs from different parts of the country were equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to sustain and scale up their impact in the society through series of intensive learning, trainings and presentations in the workshop, from top professionals across different sectors.

The 3rd edition of LEAP Africa’s SIP is an initiative developed in partnership with YouthActionNet; a programme of International Youth Foundation (IYF), a non profit organisation supporting youth development programmes in 80 countries.

The SIP seeks to identify, develop and support young Nigerians who are addressing social challenges in their communities through creative and sustainable solutions. It also enhances the chance of the Nigerian young social innovators to apply to YouthActionNet Global Laureate Fellowship.

According to the programme coordinator, Asuquo Asuquo, “LEAP Africa’s 2016 Social Innovators fellows are young, dynamic and visionary Nigerians contributing to the development of their communities and country. They are initiators of high impact community development projects with potential for their initiative to expand its reach. Their initiatives range from empowering rural farmers, improving education for children in underserved areas, innovative use of ICT in improving youth employability, creative renewable energy products in rural areas and youth entrepreneurship development.

Speaking further, he noted that, “At LEAP, we believe that youths are leaders of tomorrow and young people can make a difference in their local communities given the necessary support and platform needed to excel. As a result, the SIP identifies, encourages and support youths in Nigeria, who are determined to improve the lives of others.”