Agropreneurs, others win N10m business grant at Corpreneurship challenge

Unity Bank Plc has extended a N10 million-business grant to 30 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who took part in the 10th edition of the bank’s flagship entrepreneurship development initiative – Corpreneurship Challenge.

The winners, including upcoming entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions in several business value chains such as honey production, rice and snail farming, claimed top positions after participating in a business pitch that took place across 10 state NYSC orientation camps – Katsina, Kano, Kwara, Imo, Rivers, Delta, Sokoto, Edo, Akwa-Ibom and Osun.

At the NYSC orientation camp at Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai, Akwa Ibom State, Azegba Perpetual, who pitched business on honey production emerged as the overall winner to clinch the N500,000 grand prize, while Iyorwa Israel, a budding commercial rice farmer, won N300,000 grant.

Similarly, Egelonu Friday walked away with a N200,000 grant to support his snail farming business.

In the remaining nine states, no fewer than 27 other winners also emerged, after pitching business plans across various economic segments, including fish production, poultry farming, fashion, soap and cake making, printing, piggery and beverage making.

Corpreneurship Challenge, which has proved its invaluable social benefit as an entrepreneurship development and job creation platform since its inception, receives applications from thousands of serving NYSC Corp members.

Speaking during the grand finale in Akwa Ibom State, Unity Bank’s Head of Retail and SME Banking Group, Dr Opeyemi Ojesina, said the initiative has earned its place as one of the country’s foremost business incubation platforms and entrepreneurship development.

He said: “Unity Bank has sustained this Corpreneurship Challenge for the past five years, and throughout the period we have witnessed the tremendous impact it has had on youth empowerment and job creation in the country.
And I believe that the innovative approach to entrepreneurship that the programme has adopted has enabled us to seamlessly integrate financial support, mentorship and skill development to foster the growth of aspiring entrepreneurs.

“At its core, the initiative addresses the unique challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises, as they recognize the sector as the backbone of economic development. And Unity Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion is exemplified through tailored financial solutions that empower corp members to actualise their business dreams.”