Despite the harsh business operating environment, Diamond Bank has re-ignited confidence in the Nigerian economy with the resolve to continually support its development using the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as predictable vehicles for sustainable economic growth. In a practical demonstration of this, the bank ,through its Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET) initiative, gave N15 million grant to five budding MSME operators who showed exceptional entrepreneurial skills and productive business ideas.
Each of the five BET winners, spread across different sectors of the economy and the six geopolitical zones, received N3 million to invest into their respective businesses. The financial injection into their businesses by the bank is expected to help strengthen manpower, expand the product lines and create increased service and product values that would make the MSMEs competitive.
The Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank, Uzoma Dozie, told stakeholders, educationists, analysts, media executives, investors and industry captains who witnessed the cheque presentation ceremony in Lagos that because of the economic headwinds, young entrepreneurs need all the support and mentorship that they could get to enable them stand firm and add the necessary value to the economy.
According to him, Diamond Bank is very passionate about building these entrepreneurs because of the conviction that sustainable growth and development of any modern economy is hinged on a vibrant MSME sector. He added that the quality of business ideas and the huge number of entries received by the Bank, is a strong testament of business versatility among Nigerian youths, which to him, should be harnessed to grow and develop the economy.
He said: “We had over 500,000 applications and after several screenings, they were pruned to the final 15; this is just to show how creative Nigerians are. We decided to support small businesses because we know how difficult the business environment is, and it is the only way we can guarantee sustainable economic growth and development in this country.”
The BET, which started over five years ago, is a collaboration between Diamond Bank and the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University. With the BET initiative, every year, the Bank trains 50 entrepreneurs in a six-month development programme at the Pan Atlantic University and gives investment grants to the 5 most outstanding with a strong mentorship programme within the business year.
Speaking further, Dozie noted that each year, the BET programme has become more exciting with diverse innovative ideas emerging, stressing that the business environment in Nigeria was a tough one and needed lots of commitment and support for one to succeed.
Although, the previous BET 4 edition focused on three sectors of the economy, the Season 5 expanded the sectors with the addition of fashion, agriculture, information and communications technology and renewable energy. In this BET Season 5, Uchechi Arinze, Folarinyo Abiodun, Ayodeji Agboola, Emmauel Okiedesan and Hauwa Bello emerged the winners.
Reiterating Dozie, Peter Bankole, Director, Enterprise Development Center, stated that it was another milestone that has been attained by the bank because it means a new set of five winners will be joining the other 20 winners, not forgetting the 50 entrepreneurs who were engaged in six months of intensive training.
“A lot of banks screamed about supporting small businesses but none plays like the way Diamond Bank does. And BET is one of the many ways they ensure they support small businesses and that goes a long way in helping these entrepreneurs achieve their goals,” Bankole stated.
One of the winners, Okiedesan said he was amazed to have won because he was lucky to be a part of the final 15. According to him, his first final presentation was a disaster but he was able to pull himself together at the second session. He also thanked Diamond Bank and EDC for giving him and others the opportunity to learn and interact.
Earlier, Ubong Effiong, a BET Season One winner, told the audience that the knowledge gained is invaluable as it continually guides one in running and managing the business.
“BET goes beyond the money won. The knowledge gained and most importantly the relationship formed in the academy is very valuable, it cannot be quantified in monetary terms.”
According to the bank, to participate in the next BET season, a prospective candidate must have an existing business that has been in operation for at least three months prior to the application date. At the end of the initial screening, 50 shortlisted candidates will undergo a six months training programme at the Pan Atlantic University Entrepreneurial Development Center. At the completion of the training programme, the best 15 candidates would be selected to undergo a second phase of advisory services where they will be required to present their business models. At the end of the process, the five participants who are adjudged to have the best plans will receive a grant of N3 million each from Diamond Bank to support their businesses.