The Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd., a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, has trained over 7,000 youths in Borno, Osun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory as part of its #YouthEmpowered initiative for 2024.
In a statement, NBC said it designed the programme to equip participants with employability and entrepreneurial skills, hailing it as a transformative effort to empower Nigeria’s youth.
NBC’s Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Olukemi Ogunsakin, described the initiative as a commitment to equipping young Nigerians with tools to thrive in the economy, stating “Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the solutions to the challenges of today.”
The latest editions of the campaign held in November and December featured workshops on financial literacy, project management, business planning, and customer service.
Further, participants pitched business ideas, with ten selected participants receiving the Director’s Business Grant to scale their ventures.
Grant recipients include Abubakar Mohammad Dungus from Borno, Emmanuel Oluwadamilare from Osun, and Agbasimere Chinonye Jessica from Oyo.
According to NBC, the young entrepreneurs had gotten access to critical funding to bring their business ideas to life.
Executive Director of Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation, an implementing partner, Bukola Bamiduro, praised the programme, saying, “Through #YouthEmpowered, NBC is not only providing critical skills but also breaking financial barriers for young entrepreneurs.”
NBC added that since the #YouthEmpowered initiative launched in 2017, it has reached over 50,000 youths.
NBC’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Oluwasoromidayo George, reiterated the company’s commitment to youth development, remarking, “These sessions in Borno, Osun, Oyo, and the FCT are a testament to our drive to empower communities and support the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.”
The programme aligns with Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company’s Mission 2025, which aims to train one million young people across 28 countries.