Fidelity Bank, Empretec partner on entrepreneurship scheme

Fidelity Bank Plc is in strategic partnership with Empretec Nigerian Foundation, for graduate entrepreneurship training programme for 200 youths in Cross River State.

The move, which the bank said is consistent with its commitment to build the next generation of sustainable Nigerian businesses, is also part of the next phase of its entrepreneurship support interventions for state governments and Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the bank’s dedicated unit known as Managed SME Division, the Youth Entrepreneurship team has put in place a programme for identifying and building young and budding entrepreneurs who will become tomorrows’ big SME customers.

The week-long training programme, organised under the auspices of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), was designed strategically to provide vivid insights into the theoretical and foundational knowledge required to manage sustainable businesses.

The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo, while speaking during the entrepreneurship programme held in Calabar, Cross River State, said it is strategically aimed at helping young entrepreneurs build capacity needed to own and manage successful businesses.

Represented by the Group Head, Specialised SMEs, Ndubuisi Onuoha, he said: “The idea is to inculcate in youths the entrepreneurship spirit that will enable them establish on their own and eventually become employers of labour instead of roaming about the streets looking for white collar jobs that do not exist.”

He advised participants to remain focused and take advantage of the knowledge and skills provided by the workshop to live out their dream of becoming successful entrepreneurs.

The Founder of Empretec and wife of former Governor of Cross River State, Mrs. Onari Duke, enjoined the beneficiaries to put to good use the knowledge and skills acquired to internalise and maximise the opportunities being offered by the federal and state governments.

Duke applauded the relentless efforts of Fidelity Bank, particularly with regards to empowering entrepreneurs in the country and urged other private sector organisations and corporate bodies to emulate the gesture.