One of Nigeria’s financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc has partnered Gazelle Academy and Bayero University Kano to empower over 200 youths in Kano State with entrepreneurial skills, saying the training
The week long training programme is organized under the Fidelity Youth Empowerment Academy stream 5 (YEA 5), and seeks to equip undergraduates with requisite skills, know-how, and capabilities needed to take start businesses even whilst in school.
“The essence of the skills acquisition programme is primarily, to offer undergraduates of tertiary institutions with vocational skills and enterprise training needed to become thriving business owners,” said Mohammed Balarabe, Fidelity Bank’s Deputy Managing Director.
He noted that the programme teaches students vocational skills as an alternative to white-collar jobs, Balarabe explained that the initiative will guarantee financial independence among the youths and ultimately alleviate poverty.
Participants at the empowerment programme, which is part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Fidelity bank, received training in various skill areas including, Fashion Designing, Makeover, Henna Design, New Media Marketing, Baby Bag Making, Bead Making, etc.
Since its inception, four editions have held successfully at institutions in Enugu, Birnin Kebbi, Anambra and Rivers states with over 2,000 participants.
The Director, Public Affairs of BUK, Malam Ahmed Shehu who commended Fidelity Bank for the initiative called on other corporate organisations to emulate the bank in giving back to the society through laudable youth empowerment programmes like YEA5. Shehu also lauded the bank for consistently delivering unmatched financial services to the university community and the citizens of Kano State.
Speaking in the same vein, Muna Onuzo, Founder, Gazelle Academy thanked the participants for their zeal and active participation as evidenced by the number of things ranging from bags, clothing apparels, beadworks, cocktails that were made by them and on display for visitors who thronged the school to witness the closing ceremony.
“We give our students the ability to stand and build their business. We start by teaching them the skills of the trade and then we empower their mind so that the inner disabilities won’t limit them from actualising their true potential. We also teach students how to run a business that is clean, sustainable and viable,” she explained.