…FCMB Commits N1billion To Partner State on Youth empowerment
Nnaya Eziyi, Umuahia
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Engr Chidi Izuwah has said Aba has the capacity to produce enough dresses and military booths for the world.
Izuwah stated this while speaking to our correspondent at the end of Abia Youth Mega Summit at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia, the Abia State capital, saying all the producers needed was the enabling environment.
He said products made in the commercial nerve centre of the South East had not only improved in both standard and quality, but were also giving those of developed economies of the world sharp competition.
Izuwah called on governments at all levels and the multi-national business organisations in the country to work in concert among themselves to provide the environment, which he said could attract even foreign investors.
According to him, the idea of the summit was in line with the numerous initiatives of the Federal Government to equip and empower the youths to be creators of employment rather than seekers of elusive white collar jobs.
” The Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, having it as one of its priorities to improve the economy of the country, embarked on the initiatives to put the youths on the right track for development,” he argued.
Izuwah, who insisted that all the youths needed to do to benefit from the initiatives was to establish the line of business they wished to engage in, commended Nigerian youths for their ingenuity and resilience.
Similarly, the Executive Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Bukola Smith said the bank would commit over N1 billion in partnering with the state government on youth empowerment.
According to the executive secretary, who described the summit as a well thought out plan to boost the economy of the state, individuals and groups with viable business ideas would be entitled to N3m and N10m respectively.
The summit which had, “A productive engagement for impact: Igniting youth entrepreneurship,” as its theme, drew participants from across the 17 local government areas and many youth organisations in the state.
Preceding the Abia Youth Rally, slated for March, 16 at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia, the one-day summit was organised by the state Ministry of Youth Development.
