Consistent with its commitment to build the next generation of sustainable Nigerian businesses, Fidelity Bank Plc, top Nigerian lender in strategic partnership, with Empretec Nigerian Foundation has just concluded a graduate entrepreneurship training programme for 200 youths in Cross River State.

This initiative is part of the next phase of the bank’s entrepreneurship support interventions for state governments and Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The bank manages the SME division through its Youth Entrepreneurship team and has put in place a programme for identifying and building young and budding entrepreneurs who will become tomorrow's big SME customers.

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

At the opening ceremony of the graduate entrepreneurship programme held in Calabar, Cross River State, the bank’s CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo said that the programme is aimed strategically at helping young entrepreneurs build capacity needed to own and manage successful businesses.

Okonkwo who was represented by the bank’s Group Head, Specialised SMEs, Mr. Ndubuisi Onuoha 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.”

Onuoha 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 effort of Fidelity Bank particularly with regards to empowering entrepreneurs in the country. She also urged other private sector organisations and corporate bodies to borrow a leaf from the bank, adding that they should support government’s effort to grow the MSME landscape particularly in the area of funding.

A flagship capacity-building programme of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Empretec is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and MSMEs with a view to facilitating sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Present at the opening ceremony of the training workshop were Peter A. Egba, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Ignatius Atsu; Director General Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA); and Catherine Ogim, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Microfinance and Enterprise Projects.

•Photo shows, L-R; Chris Nnakwe, Head, CSR & Sustainability, Fidelity Bank Plc; Onari Duke, wife of Former Governor of Cross River State and Founder of EMPRETEC; Mr. Peter A. Egba, Commissioner of Commerce & Industry, Cross River State; Ndubuisi Onuoha, Head, Specialised SME, Fidelity Bank Plc during the opening ceremony of an Entrepreneurship Training Programme organised by EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation and held at City Gate Guest House, Murtala Mohammed Highway, Calabar.

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