Diamond Bank Plc has launched
Season 4 of the Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET4) programme, a Corporate
Social Responsibility initiative of the bank aimed at enhancing the growth potentials
of Nigerian entrepreneurs through capacity building.
Speaking at the official
launch of the fourth season of the programme in Lagos, Mr. Olumide Akindele,
Head, Consumer Propositions Group, Diamond Bank PLC, said, “The Building
Entrepreneurs Today programme is a strategic initiative of Diamond Bank to
invest in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises segment of the economy by increasing
the capacity of these small businesses to run thriving businesses. Continue...
“We are pleased to announce
the fourth edition of the programme. This is a reflection of Diamond Bank’s
resolve to ensure that many young businesses get the right assistance to excel and
contribute to the economy,” he added.
Mr. Peter Bamkole, Director,
Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University, the facilitators
of the programme, lauded the bank for its sustained partnership with the EDC on
the BET programme. He noted that the bank’s support of young entrepreneurs
through the BET programme has given a massive lift to various businesses with
its attendant contribution to job creation and professional and sustainable
business management.
He said: In the last four
years, Diamond Bank Plc has been supporting MSMEs by giving them the knowledge they
need to build viable ventures and manage success. This Corporate Social
Responsibility initiative is making a huge impact on the lives of these young
people and is gradually changing society. Small business owners are equipped
with the right knowledge and skills to properly manage their businesses.
On the areas of interest for
the fourth edition, Mrs. Ayona Trimnell, Divisional Head, Corporate
Communications, Diamond Bank Plc, said programme will focus on ICT, Agro-Allied
and Renewable Energy sub-sectors, adding that these are three areas which have
been identified as youth-centered endeavours with high development potential.
“At the end of the training,
successful participants would have imbibed the culture of entrepreneurship that
Diamond Bank Plc stands for,” she said.
To qualify for selection, a
candidate must have an existing business that has been in operation for at
least three months prior to the application date. Applications are reviewed by
a panel of judges based on a predetermined set of criteria after which successful
candidates are invited for an interview session. Fifty shortlisted candidates will
thereafter undergo a six months training with the EDC, following which the top
fifteen are selected for a second phase of top-flight advisory services where
they are required to present their business models. At the end of the process, the
five participants who are adjudged to have the best plans are each given a
three million naira grant by Diamond Bank Plc to support their businesses. To
participate, log on to www.diamondbet4.com
to fill and submit your application form.
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