Retail lender, Unity Bank Plc has extended N10 million
business grant to 30 members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who
took part in the 10th edition of the Bank’s flagship Entrepreneurship
Development Initiative, known as Corpreneurship Challenge.
The winners, including upcoming entrepreneurs developing innovative
solutions in several business value chains such as Honey production, Rice,
and Snail farming, among others, claimed top positions after participating
in a business pitch that took place across 10 state NYSC Orientation Camps
– Katsina, Kano, Kwara, Imo, Rivers, Delta, Sokoto, Edo, Akwa-Ibom, and
Osun recently.
At the NYSC Orientation camp at Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai, Akwa Ibom
State, Azegba Chimuanya Perpetual, who pitched business on honey
production emerged as the overall winner to clinch the N500,000 grand
prize; while Iyorwa Kater Israel, a budding commercial rice farmer won
N300,000 grant. Similarly, Egelonu Emmanuel Friday walked away with a
N200,000 grant to support his Snail farming business.
In the remaining nine states, no fewer than twenty-seven other winners also
emerged, after pitching business plans across various economic segments
including Fish production, Poultry farming, Fashion, Soap and Cake making,
Printing, Piggery, Beverage making, etc.
The Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge, which has proved its invaluable
social benefit as an entrepreneurship development and job creation platform
since its inception receives applications from thousands of serving NYSC
Corp members. These business plans are then evaluated based on their
originality, marketability, future employability potential of the product,
and knowledge of the business.
Speaking during the grand finale in Akwa Ibom State, Unity Bank’s Head of
Retail and SME Banking Group, Dr. Opeyemi Ojesina said the Unity Bank
Corpreneurship Challenge has earned its pride of place in Nigeria as one of
the country’s foremost business incubation platform and entrepreneurship
development.
He said, “Unity Bank has sustained this Corpreneurship Challenge for the
past five years, and throughout the period we have witnessed the tremendous
impact it has had on youth empowerment and job creation in the country.
And I believe that the innovative approach to entrepreneurship which the
programme has adopted has enabled us to seamlessly integrate financial
support, mentorship, and skill development to foster the growth of aspiring
entrepreneurs.”
He added, “At its core, the initiative addresses the unique challenges
faced by small and medium-sized enterprises, as they recognize the sector
as the backbone of economic development. And Unity Bank’s commitment to
financial inclusion is exemplified through tailored financial solutions
that empower corp members to actualize their business dreams.”
Ojesina further explained that “the mentorship provided to participants
adds unparalleled value, as it connects corp members with seasoned
professionals who provide insights, guidance, and a roadmap for success,”
emphasizing how Unity Bank recognizes that true empowerment extends beyond
financial assistance to honing entrepreneurial skills”.
The Corpreneurship Challenge has earned the Bank national recognition for
its impact on youth empowerment and job creation, just as the scheme
continues to elicit growing interest among the corps members, attracting
over 2000 applicants and participation in every edition.
In partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship
Development, SAED, the initiative prominently features a business pitch
presentation that provides the participants with the opportunity to present
their business plans and stand a chance to win up to N500,000 cash in the
business grant.
So far, Unity Bank has invested over N100 million in the initiative which
has now produced 148 winners since it was launched.
