Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc, in partnership with Gazelle Academy and
Bayero University Kano at the weekend concluded an entrepreneurship
training programme for over 200 students in Kano State.
Organised under the Fidelity Youth Empowerment Academy stream 5 (YEA 5),
the week-long training programme seeks to equip undergraduates with
requisite skills, know-how, and capabilities needed to take start
businesses even whilst in school.
Participants received training in various skill areas including, Fashion
Designing, Makeover, Henna Design, New Media Marketing, Baby Bag Making,
Bead Making, etc.
This empowerment programme, which is part of our Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, is primarily targeted at creating a
new breed of entrepreneurs amongst Nigeria’s boisterous youth
population.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the YEA 5 held
in Kano State, the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Mohammed Balarabe
said that the skills acquisition programme seeks primarily to offer
undergraduates of tertiary institutions with vocational skills and
enterprise training needed to become thriving business owners.
Whilst stating that the programme teaches students vocational skills as
an alternative to white-collar jobs, Balarabe explained that the
initiative will guarantee financial independence among the youths and
ultimately alleviate poverty.
“Since its inception, four editions have held successfully at
institutions in Enugu, Birnin Kebbi, Anambra and Rivers states with over
2,000 participants. In essence, we have succeeded in making
entrepreneurs out of students who will be financially responsible and
independent”, he said.
Balarabe commended the students for their commitment and performance
during the course of the training programme. The DMD while quoting John
Maxwell said, “Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in
their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.”
He challenged the students to go out there and fulfill their dreams.
The Director, Public Affairs of BUK, Malam Ahmed Shehu who commended
Fidelity Bank for the initiative called on other corporate organisations
to emulate the bank in giving back to the society through laudable youth
empowerment programmes like YEA5. Shehu also lauded the bank for
consistently delivering unmatched financial services to the university
community and the citizens of Kano State.
Speaking in the same vein, Muna Onuzo, Founder, Gazelle Academy thanked
the participants for their zeal and active participation as evidenced by
the number of things ranging from bags, clothing apparels, beadworks,
cocktails that were made by them and on display for visitors who
thronged the school to witness the closing ceremony.
“We give our students the ability to stand and build their business. We
start by teaching them the skills of the trade and then we empower their
mind so that the inner disabilities won’t limit them from actualising
their true potential. We also teach students how to run a business that
is clean, sustainable and viable,” she explained.
