NNPC Foundation has commenced business pitching assessment for no fewer than 2,659 corps members trained by the foundation to support their businesses through distribution of grants and start-up packs.
Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, Ms Emmanuella Arukwe, said yesterday in Abuja, that the empowerment was part of the foundation’s efforts to tackle post graduation youths unemployment and help them become economically self-sufficient.
“We are very passionate about the young people and we think that this is the demography and the financial literacy programme is NNPC Foundation’s initiative to equip young graduates with necessary skills for personal and professional development”, she said.
Arukwe said during the business pitching assessment for eligible NYSC members, that the programme was designed to equip the participants for a successful outing in businesses.
She said the empowerment was done in partnership with Kudimata Nigeria Limited and the NNPC Academy.
The managing director said that corps members whose business plans projects stood out would receive start-up packs and advisory services for their businesses.
She said that the selection criteria were focused on visibility and sustainability of the business idea, market relevance and competitive edge, among others.
Mr Paul Bambe, the Assistant Director, NYSC Department of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, said the empowerment was a three-fold partnership for financial literacy education for corps members in and post camp.
Bambe said that after the learning stages, the corps members would pitch their business ideas for financial management.
“They have passed through those stages of financial literacy, then, NNPC foundation will give the start-up packs for their businesses.
“We are gathered here to look at those who have pitched their business ideas after financial literacy.
“The 2,659 corps members will be assessed in this forum,” he said.
Mr Abdulrahim Haruna, the Chief Technology Officer, Kudimata Nigeria Limited, said the organisation had trained no fewer than 300,000 corps members on financial literacy.
Haruna said the corps members underwent rigorous assessment before being chosen.
Some of the corps members said that the exercise had better enlightened them on the types of businesses to venture into irrespective of the finances involved.
Hilary Ugwuanyi, a corps member, said the programme had educated him on how to become a better entrepreneur.
“What we have is the NNPC foundation teaching us financial literacy on how to stand on our own and the type of business to go into, the risks involved so that we do not depend on white collar jobs”, he said.
Onyinyechi Emejo, also a corps member, said the programme had taught her how to stand out and grow in any business to become a global entrepreneur.
Emejo appreciated the NNPC foundation and their partners for the opportunity to become a successful business woman.
“I learnt how to invest my money wisely because you can have money and not know how to invest it”, she said.
News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the empowerment commenced in Aug. 2023 with the training of over 284,000 corps members on financial literacy. NAN
Wike Inaugurates Reconstruction Of 25km Road In Kwali
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated the reconstruction of 25-kilometre Kwaita to Yebu Road in Kwali, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
Wike, said while inaugurating the project in Kwali yesterday, that the measure was part of President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to transform rural infrastructure for inclusive development.
He said that the project was awarded at the cost of N7 billion, adding that over 50% of the fund had been provided in the budget.
‘This is the eight time I have visited FCT area councils with respect to infrastructure projects.
“I have been to the six area councils to inaugurate construction of road projects and was at Kwali to inaugurate a completed bridge.
“Today, I am in Kwali again, to inaugurate the reconstruction of a road project.
“This is in fulfilment of Tinubu’s promise to transform rural communities and equip them with basic infrastructure”, he said.
He said that the project could not be completed by previous administrations because the needed funds were not provided.
The Minister, who reviewed the project completion timeline from 18 months to 12 months, assured the residents of Kwali that the project would be completed as scheduled to renew their hope in governance.
He particularly said that rural dwellers would not be abandoned by the Tinubu-led administration because the larger chunk of votes during elections came from rural communities.
Wike, said that apart from road projects, the rehabilitation of schools was ongoing, adding that contracts would soon be awarded for another set of 20 schools.
He commended former Senator, Philip Aduda, who represented the FCT in the 9th Assembly for remaining connected to his people despite losing reelection in 2023, and urged him to continue relating with his people.
This, according to him, is what politics entails, saying “I will work with those who work with the people and those who connect with their people”.
Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Mr Danladi Chiya, commended Wike for his rural infrastructural transformation agenda.
Chiya, said that the road had been in a bad shape for over a decade.
He said that the reconstruction of the road would significantly ease the movement of people and produce in affected communities.
Earlier, Mr Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department, said that the project would open up rural communities, satellite towns and area councils of the FCT in general.
“For the record, this is the 7th inauguration of construction of rural projects across the six area councils since Wike assumed office as the Minister of the FCT, 11 months ago”, he said.
On his part, the traditional leader of Kwali, Mr Luka Nizassan, the Etsu of Kwali, said that the reconstruction of the road would restore the lost hope of the people on the governance of FCT.
Nizassan recalled that the road was awarded in 2005 but the contractor abandoned the site after working for three months.
He added that after a series of advocacies and petitions, the contractor returned to site in 2012 only to abandon the site again.
“The people of the affected communities have lost hope. We are thankful for coming to restore the lost hope.
“The road, If completed, will ease transportation and enhance economic activities in the area, linking Kwali Area Council to Abaji and Kuje area councils, including Nasarawa state.
“We are confident that you will not abandon the project, but deliver it in 18 months as promised”, the traditional leader said. NAN
