Wema Bank has partnered with the Ekiti State Government to empower 100,000 youths and owners of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with digital and business management skills.
Speaking during the unveiling of the programme in Ado-Ekiti, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Kayode Fasae, said the training was necessary to build a virile business ecosystem.
Fasae, hailing Wema Bank for the programme, noted that the Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration was committed to improving the socio-economic growth and development of the state through youth engagement.
He said the training would offer youths and business owners the opportunity to deepen their business management skills and get financial aids to further grow their businesses.
In his words, “This skill development programme will be deplored via virtual instructor-led training and e-learning platform, which will be followed by in-person training in Ado-Ekiti and other strategic locations across the state.
“The programme will address, among other things, poor business management skills, poor access to finance, poor access to information, poor access to market, poor access to networks and supportive ecosystems. Thus, the intervention intends to sharpen the participants’ skills in digital and financial literacy.”
“Despite the challenges posed by rising unemployment, especially among youths, we remain resolute in our determination to turn the challenges of unemployment into economic benefits in the form of maximising wealth creation and ultimately raising the Gross Domestic Product of the state.”
Speaking on the partnership, the Head of MSMEs in Wema Bank, Mr. Arthur Nkemeh, said the partnership was aimed at bridging the gap between skill acquisition and funding for youths and entrepreneurs in the state.
He said the participants would be trained for three months through e-learning and physical platforms where they would be exposed to a wide range of skills, including digital marketing, project management, among others.
Information Commissioner Taiwo Olatunbosun lauded Wema Bank for collaborating with the state, saying the programme was in line with Governor Oyebanji’s agenda to transit Ekiti from the perceived civil servant state to an industrial hub.
He advised youths and business owners to take advantage of the opportunities provided by enrolling for the training, reiterating government’s commitment to wealth creation and providing job opportunities.
It is a good initiative. God bless BAO Govt.