No fewer than 30 younger entrepreneurs have been awarded a ₦16 million enterprise grant by Unity Bank Plc through the newest version of its flagship entrepreneurship growth initiative, the Corpreneurship Problem.
The winners, budding entrepreneurs growing progressive options throughout numerous enterprise worth chains together with style design, bag making, pastry making, occasion administration, magnificence, vegetable farming, and extra, emerged tops after taking part in a enterprise pitch competitors held lately for Batch A Stream 2 throughout 10 NYSC Orientation Camps in Cross River, Niger, Abuja, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Plateau, Jigawa, Anambra, and Lagos States.
On the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, Lagos State, corps member Adeniyi Stephen Gbemininyi, who pitched a style design enterprise, emerged as the general winner, clinching the ₦800,000 grand prize. Kolawole Opeoluwa Darasimi, a budding bag maker, received a ₦500,000 grant, whereas Johnson Elizabeth Ene acquired a ₦300,000 grant to assist her cake and pastry enterprise.
Throughout the remaining 9 states, 27 different winners additionally emerged after pitching enterprise plans in various sectors corresponding to fish manufacturing, poultry farming, style, cleaning soap and cake making, printing, piggery, beverage manufacturing, and extra.
Over the previous six years, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Problem has grow to be an integral a part of the NYSC programme, aligning with the Federal Authorities’s dedication to upskilling contemporary graduates amid the rising dearth of white-collar jobs. The programme attracts 1000’s of functions from serving NYSC corps members, whose enterprise plans are evaluated for originality, marketability, employability potential, and general enterprise acumen.
Talking through the grand finale in Lagos, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, mentioned: “At Unity Bank, we consider that empowering younger folks to form Nigeria’s {economic} future should be supported to supply longer-term sustainability. By means of the Corpreneurship Problem, we aren’t simply offering funding, however nurturing a brand new era of entrepreneurs outfitted with the abilities, assets, and confidence to create jobs and rework communities. The success tales we see 12 months after 12 months reaffirm our dedication to youth empowerment and SME growth.”
She added: “The overwhelming curiosity and prime quality of enterprise concepts we obtain in each version reveal the unimaginable potential amongst Nigeria’s youth. We’re proud to companion with the NYSC SAED to make these goals a actuality.”
The Corpreneurship Problem has earned Unity Bank nationwide recognition for its contribution to youth empowerment and job creation, attracting over 2,000 candidates per version.
In partnership with the NYSC Talent Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Growth (SAED) programme, the initiative encompasses a enterprise pitch competitors that permits contributors to current their enterprise plans and win grants of as much as ₦800,000.
Up to now, Unity Bank has invested over ₦100 million within the initiative, producing over 160 winners since its launch in 2019.
