First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has sponsored a capacity building programme for almost 1,000 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja.
The program is in partnership with Activate Success Foundation, tagged “Youth entrepreneurship and empowerment programme”. The interactive and exciting session provided a platform for the youth Corps members to look inward, develop and deploy their business skills through practical training facilitated by experts and successful business owners.
According to the bank, the development will go a long way to empower them with the requisite resources to start and grow successful businesses during and after their service year in order to become financially independent and contribute significantly to national development.
FCMB Executive Director, Retail Banking, Olu Akanmu, said it is in line with the commitment of the lender to provide opportunities that would inspire and enable youths to be actively engaged and eventually become successful business owners.
‘’FCMB Flexx account empowers Nigerian youths with the entrepreneurial and employability skills they need. Many youths set up their own businesses from their campuses. “FCMB will be there with them to provide the necessary entrepreneurial and business skills they need to make great successes out of their businesses. FCMB will also provide great support for the youth businesses and work with them to nurture and grow the youth entrepreneurial ventures,’’ he said.
Also, Activate Success founder, Love Idoko, said: ‘’I have a penchant for motivating people. There are business-minded youths out there that are just looking for mentorship or business ideas as well as funds to start their businesses.
“The purpose is not just to give grants, it is to also empower and motivate as many youths as possible.”
Among the facilitators at the programme were a Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Desmond Elliot; Chief Executive Officer, Vodi Tailors, Seyi Adekunle and Executive Director, YIAGA Africa, Mr. Samson Itodo, of the #NotTooYoungToRun fame. At the end of the programme, N2.7 million was given as grant to some of the youth corps members with excellent business ideas to enable them start-up.
FCMB has over the years developed various engagement programmes focused on empowering youngsters, such as #FlexxYourCreativity, #FCMBFlexxtern and the Flexx Youth Entrepreneurship Masterclass.
Through these initiatives, FCMB has given young entrepreneurs and students access to training, funding, mentorship, networking opportunities and jobs.