Fidelity Bank, Gazelle train 500 youths on entrepreneurial skills

Fidelity Bank Plc, in partnership with Gazelle Academy and Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi has empowered 500 Nigerian with entrepreneurial skills.

The programme, which is part of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, is strategically aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with skills and capabilities needed to take advantage of available opportunities to drive socio-economic development.

Speaking at the launch of the five-day empowerment programme held in Kebbi State, the Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo, pointed out that the programme seeks to empower the Polytechnic community by creating a new generation of business owners among students.

Okonkwo, who was represented by Branch Leader, Sokoto Strategic Business Unit of the bank, Abdulrahman Ibrahim, said the programme was designed to promote Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

It was also to stimulate growth by encouraging students from the tertiary institution to become self-reliant in different aspects of entrepreneurship.

He explained that students will receive requisite training in various stages by the consultants throughout the duration of the exercise.

The target areas, which include fish farming, tailoring, stoning, makeup and bread making, will equip students with knowledge and first-hand experience of the vocational skills.

According to him, the skills acquisition programme was the first of its kind to be organised by the financial institution in the Northern part of the country.

However, the maiden edition of the programme which held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, recorded huge successes as it left an indelible mark on the lives of the students.

“Well, depending on which area they specialise on, we will now sit and think of what to offer them, its giving back to the society where we work.

“Ultimately, participants will receive start-up packs and will also be privileged to access funding for their businesses through Fidelity Bank,” he said.

The Commissioner of Higher Education, Alhaji Maigari Abdullahi who represented the State Governor at the event, commended the organizers, while restating the commitment of state government in promoting vocational education in the state.