In furtherance of its quest to improve the wellbeing of communities where it does business, Fidelity Bank Plc, in partnership with Gazelle Academy and Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi have empowered 500 Nigerians through entrepreneurial skills.
The programme, which was part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, was 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 5-day youth empowerment programme held in Kebbi State, the ank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr.Nnamdi Okonkwo, pointed out that the programme seeks to empower the Polytechnic community by creating a new generation of business owners amongst students.
Okonkwo who was ably represented by the bank’s Branch Leader, Sokoto Strategic Business Unit (SBU), Abdulrahman Ibrahim, said the programme was designed to promote micro, small and medium scale enterprises’ (MSMEs) growth by encouraging students from tertiary institution to become self-reliant in different aspects of entrepreneurship.
Ibrahim further explained that students would receive requisite training in various stages by the consultants throughout the duration of the exercise.
He said students would be trained on fish farming, tailoring, stoning, makeup and bread making.
, 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 who participated in the week-long event.
Depending on area the trainees received training, Ibrahim noted that the bank will determine what sort of assistance to offer them at end of the program.
The Commissioner of Higher Education, Alhaji Maigari Abdullahi who represented the State Governor at the event, commended the organisers for the event while restating the commitment of state government in promoting vocational education in the state.