About 10,000 young ladies will be coached and aided in different businesses and vocations through the collaboration of WEMA Bank and the Entrepreneurial Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University (EDC) and Master Cards.
It was announced at an occasion hosted by WEMA bank at their Marina, Lagos headquarters themed “Transforming Nigerian Youth Programme.” Tunde Mabawonku, Wema Bank’s Executive Director, Retail and Digital Business, described it as an effective partnership that will greatly influence the lives of people.
He mentioned that the collaboration will boost inclusivity, upgrade the continuous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), grow lawful employment opportunities for the youths, and drive the positive transformation of businesses, people, and households all over the country.
He further quoted: “With great pride, we embrace the role of architects in this initiative, igniting a spark that promises to set a journey of growth and progress into motion.”
Ayodele Olojede, Divisional Head of Retail and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) at Wema Bank, revealed that the partnership was aimed at enabling female customers to improve their talents, releasing their abilities and increasing employability.
She further explained that “Through this alliance, 10,000 female business owners who are valued customers of Wema Bank will receive complimentary training from seasoned professionals, courtesy of Pan-Atlantic University’s Entrepreneurial Development Centre.
“Among these, 50 individuals will earn the prestigious opportunity to become certified Business Development Support Providers (BDSPs) through SMEDAN. Moreover, in our commitment to nurturing exceptional entrepreneurs, we are pleased to provide grants and seed funding of up to N500,000 each, enabling them to translate their learning into tangible business success.
“As pioneers of this transformative capacity-building initiative, we are eager to witness the remarkable positive changes that will emerge from this programme. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone participating both virtually and in person. We extend our sincere congratulations in advance to the 10,000 business magnates-in-the-making who will shape the future with their endeavors.”
“Our unwavering commitment to inclusivity has led to the establishment of SARA, our dedicated proposition for women, designed to provide robust solutions and cultivate a supportive community.”
The Director at EDC, Nneka Okekerau, added that the coaching will be for women who are business minded in farming, computerized and creative sectors as she highlighted the need to imbibe a paradigm shift in their mentality in order to achieve the best from them.
