As reported by Punch, Unity Bank Plc awarded a total of N1.6 million to three National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Kwara State to support their entrepreneurial ventures. The award ceremony took place at the NYSC orientation camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area.

Bodunrinde David, a representative of Unity Bank, explained that the bank has been a longstanding partner of the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, assisting corps members in raising start-up capital or expanding their existing businesses.

David highlighted that Unity Bank’s ongoing collaboration with the NYSC scheme aims to nurture young entrepreneurs and help them transition into successful business owners.

The NYSC Public Relations Officer in Kwara State, Oladipo Morakinyo, said in a statement, “At the beginning of the orientation course, corps members were encouraged to submit business proposals for vetting. Today, the top ten proposals were invited for defence.”

Following a highly competitive screening process, Nwakaeze Euphemia Chinemerem (KW/24B/2541) emerged as the overall winner and received N800,000. Omosimua Fidelia Omoh (KW/24B/2383) secured second place with a prize of N500,000, while Wasiu Sodiq Kayode (KW/24B/1954) took third place and was awarded N300,000.

The NYSC Kwara State Coordinator, Onifade Olaoluwa, congratulated the winners and urged them to use the funds responsibly, in line with their business proposals.

He also expressed gratitude to Unity Bank for its generosity, calling on other corporate organisations to collaborate with the NYSC scheme in investing in the future of Nigerian youth.