The First Bank of Nigeria has collaborated with the Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) to award emerging secondary schools across states in Nigeria for the 2021 National Company of the Year (NCOY).
The event themed, “Innovation with Grit”, saw 12 teams from 12 schools pitch their innovative ideas to compete for prizes as well as an opportunity to represent the country at the continental level – JA African Company of the Year Competition (ACOY).
The programme also served as an avenue for participants to learn the necessary skills required to reduce youth unemployment rate and create meaningful careers and business opportunities across the country.
According to First Bank
Folake Ani-Mumuney, Global Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FBN Holdings Plc said that the event is one which the company is proud of as it aligns with its continuous commitment towards driving sustainable development and nation-building in spite of economic headwinds and operating challenges facing many industries in Nigeria.
She said, “The bedrock of our commitment in the 127 years is due to the ability to manage our relationship with all stakeholders and this includes meeting our obligations through consistent and constant engagement and empowerment, putting customers need first and enriching the lives of communities where we work.”
Emphasizing the importance of the programme, she said young students are charged with the responsibility of moving the country forward, hence the need to look inward to homegrown solutions that are needed within the communities where we all live.
She noted, “One of our key corporate responsibility programmes is future first because, whilst we are a bank that has future heritage, our eye is always on the future because the future is ours to design.
“Future first is designed to empower people with financial literacy, entrepreneurship programme and career counselling. It is designed to provide a supplement for the business and education of the senior secondary school students, to help them better understand how businesses are organised and how it operates so it totally aligns with the company of the year program.”
Also speaking during the event, Folusho Gbadamosi, Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria congratulated the students for making it to the final stage through the regional competition.
What you should know
KereTerra Company from Secondary School Etoi (Uyo) emerged the winner while Sonic Information from Heritage Global Academy (Lagos) and the Exploit thinkers from Taidob College (Ogun) emerged as the first and second runner up respectively.
