In a significant move to bolster youth entrepreneurship, Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB) has announced a strategic collaboration with the FATE Foundation. The partnership aims to empower an additional 1,000 Nigerian students across three states under the Orange Corners Student Ambassadors Programme, an initiative supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Expanding the Reach of Youth Empowerment
The Orange Corners Student Ambassadors Programme is designed to promote entrepreneurship and create valuable networking opportunities within Nigerian tertiary institutions. Ambassadors, chosen from specific universities, act as catalysts to inspire their peers to view entrepreneurship as a viable and desirable career path, thereby fostering a stronger culture of innovation on campus.
Speaking on this new phase of the initiative, Uzodinma Odenigbo, Corporate Affairs Director at Nigerian Breweries, detailed the company's commitment. He confirmed that NB is funding the expansion to reach a further 1,000 students, with the FATE Foundation taking charge of the programme's execution. This includes student mobilisation, coordination, and overall delivery.
Target Beneficiaries and Track Record
The programme specifically targets students aged between 18 and 35 years who are currently enrolled in tertiary institutions across Lagos, Ogun, and Enugu states. Odenigbo highlighted NB's established history in this arena, noting that since intensifying its focus on youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, the company has positively impacted 2,365 young Nigerians across 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Foundation's Role in Programme Delivery
Adenike Adeyemi, the Executive Director of FATE Foundation, expressed great enthusiasm for the continued partnership with Nigerian Breweries. She described NB as a longstanding supporter of Orange Corners Nigeria and welcomed their commitment to extending the programme's reach.
"We are delighted to have the company continue to support the Orange Corners Programme and elated that this commitment will reach an additional 1000 young Nigerians, leveraging the proven Orange Corners Student Ambassadors framework," Adeyemi stated.
She outlined the foundation's comprehensive responsibilities, which include:
- Designing and delivering the training curriculum.
- Managing student registration and participation.
- Maintaining accurate records of all beneficiaries.
- Coordinating all logistical and technical aspects to ensure the programme's success.
This collaboration marks a concrete step towards equipping the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs with the skills, network, and mindset needed to drive innovation and economic growth in the country.
