Abuja – The Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) in partnership with Heritage Bank have inaugurated a grant scheme to support young Nigerian students and entrepreneurs.
NYPF’s Chairman, Moses Siasia, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the programme was inaugurated on April 6 in Lagos.
He said that the name of the programme is Young Entrepreneurs and Students Grant (YESGrant).
Siasia said that renowned Nigerian actress, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, was named the Brand Ambassador of the scheme.
He said that the choice of Okereke-Linus was informed by her contributions to youth empowerment and for being a role model to many young Nigerians.
“The main objective of this programme is to encourage young Nigerians and it will focus on three key sectors-Agriculture, Creative Industry and Information Communication Technology.
“This programme is born out of the enormous challenges young aspiring entrepreneurs and students go through in their quest toward achieving set goals in their small scale businesses and academic pursuits.
“NYPF has been in the lead of building the next generation of business frontiers and created huge impact with our educational intervention programmes for children in rural communities across the nation.
“YESGrant targets to generate jobs, encourage and support aspiring entrepreneurs in Nigeria to develop and execute business ideas that will create jobs and lead to self-reliance.’’
Siasia said that the grant would be open to both male and female between the ages of 18 to 40 years.
“It will attract ideas and innovations from young entrepreneurial postulants from universities, polytechnics, technical colleges and other post-secondary institutions in Nigeria.
“Provide a onetime grant for over 500 selected aspiring entrepreneurs to start or expand their business concepts and mitigate start up risks.
“Generate 50,000 to 60,000 new jobs for currently unemployed young Nigerians over five years period, during which five cycles will be implemented.
“Enable Nigerian students with extreme financial need to pursue their academic dreams and aspirations as well as encourage research and innovation.
“Students studying in Nigeria will receive up to N500,000, while those studying in the UK will receive up to 3,000 pounds; those studying in the US will receive up to 5,000 dollars annually,’’ he said.
He said that the recipients would be registered members of NYPF.
He said the Heritage Bank team to the event was led by Mr Adebayo Ogunnusi, Group Head, Product Concept, while NYPF was represented by Siasia and Mrs Vivian Achuonye, Director of Entrepreneurship. (NAN)