Diamond Bank to support 50 budding Nigerian entrepreneurs

To empower best five businesses with N3m seed capital

Committed to supporting entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Diamond Bank Plc, commenced the selection, training and empowerment of 50 entrepreneurs in the seventh edition of its Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET) initiative.

The initiative, according to the bank, which is in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University, is aimed at supporting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operators, who showed exceptional entrepreneurial skills and productive ideas in their businesses.

It also creates a new generation of entrepreneurs, who will not be overwhelmed by the challenges posed by the harsh operating business environment, but will, with the training and seed capital from the Bank, and provide the needed value to the economy.

According to the Bank, the BET initiative is in line with its strategic quest to ensure that entrepreneurs in the MSMEs are properly trained, equipped with up-to-date business knowledge and given enough capital to effectively play in the economy.

The bank explained that it has concluded plans to train 50 entrepreneurs that will be selected for the six months entrepreneurial training programme, would be those whose businesses have the potential to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria.

The Head, Corporate Communications, Chioma Afe, said in a statement that the BET programme is part of the Bank’s decision to give back to its community by supporting human capital development in Nigeria.

She pointing out that as the backbone of a healthy productive economy, entrepreneurs in the MSME sector need proper and up-to-date knowledge of how to run a business successfully in an inclement environment.

She said: “Diamond Bank believes that empowering entrepreneurs will contribute to the economy and boost production and employment. This informs our passion to drive the training of entrepreneurs at the MSME sector, and ensure that they are empowered with the knowledge to succeed and build sustainable businesses.

“By helping them to build capacity and providing them with seed capital, it is obvious that their chances of survival will be higher, and they will be better positioned to continue to contribute to the GDP.”

Speaking further, Afe said the theme for this training season is: “Innovation and Social Impact,” adding that the training will focus on entrepreneurs in all sectors of the economy, with entries expected from all the geographical zones in Nigeria.

She added that the Bank is encouraging and inviting local small businesses to submit their applications to be considered for the training programme, stating that the knowledge to be gained would make participants to be actively competitive, and maintain stable business relevance in the economy.

“Entrepreneurs are advised to access and submit their respective entries at www.diamondbankbet.com.ng including a 60 seconds video of the business pitch for a chance to be selected as one of the 50 businesses to benefit from the training programme, and seed capital of N3million for the best five businesses.” Afe said.