Unity Bank in its recent business plan contest tagged Corpreneurship Challenge has rewarded at least 12 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with a total amount of N4m.

The winners emerged during the final business pitch in the fourth edition of the contest for NYSC 2020 Batch B corps members, which took place simultaneously across four NYSC camps in Lagos, Ogun, Benin, and Abuja.

The prizes included a N200,000 business grant for each of the second runner up, N300,000 business grant for the first runner ups and a star prize of N.5million for each of the four winners.  The winners included Evelyn Esumai, Aisosa Erica and Ozuoka Moses in Abuja camp, while Akomolade Blessing, Okafor Augustine and Edokpayi Harrison in the Benin camp.

In Lagos, Moses Bolanle, Iran-Ola Oluwosulu and Zainab Muhammed claimed the prizes.

Over 300 corps members applied, but only 40 were shortlisted for the pitching from where the winners emerged.

The contestants’ business plans, which ranged from fish production, poultry farming, fashion, piggery to beverages were assessed on originality, marketability, future employability potential of the product and knowledge of the business.

In 2019, Unity Bank made a debut with the Entrepreneurial Development Initiative, to target corps members, as part of its efforts to contribute to job creation.

During the finale, the Group Head, Retail and SME Banking, Unity Bank Plc, Olufunwa Akinmade, said the contest was aimed at encouraging more youths with clear entrepreneurial intentions to expand or start profitable ventures.