• Company launches empowerment programme for students
By Lilian Chidinma Iloabanafor
As part of their corporate social investment initiative (CSI) programme, the Intafact beverages has launched a foundation programme for students tagged, “Intafact Hero’s Foundation Kickstart Programme,” an initiative run by its subsidiary, Intafact Hero’s Foundation.
Flagging off the event at the UNIZIK Business School, the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, commended the Intafact Beverages for such a lofty initiative.
He added that the university places great emphasis on human capital development hence the great attention it pays to entrepreneurship. He emphasized that Nnamdi Azikiwe University offers vast opportunities to her students to make them job creators and not job seekers upon graduation.
Prof. Ahaneku encouraged participants drawn from various institutions of higher learning to embrace the opportunity offered by the university through partnership with Intafact breweries. He noted that the university is accommodating and runs an open door policy hence it is among the best choice institutions in Nigeria.
Before this time, the management of the company led by the Corporate Affairs Manager had paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor to inform him about the programme.
The team led by the Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Chukwuma Umunna, disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to intimate him with the activities of the Intafact Hero’s Foundation Kick-start Programme, which according to him, is aimed at instilling a culture of entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths by encouraging them to develop their big ideas into sustainable businesses or to expand their existing businesses through the provision of material and financial support which include business development, skill training, business mentoring and coaching, as well as provision of grants for business start-ups and expansion.
He further stated that the essence of the training workshop is to develop a crop of entrepreneurs between the ages of 20 and 35 who have got talents and can contribute to the society. Mr. Umunna added that the initiative will surpass and move beyond what was done in South Africa where the programme originated from.
He said that the company thought it wise to implement the programme in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, an institution that promotes core educational and moral values. He observed that the academic community is a vital part of the society geared towards solving problems and contributing to the socioeconomic development of the nation at large.
Welcoming the team, Prof. Ahaneku stated that knowledge-based ideology supported with fund is the greatest legacy an individual or an organization can give to the society. The Vice Chancellor posited that the effect of the Intafact Breweries corporate social responsibility can be seen in the area of rebranding and empowerment of the youth which has given oxygen to entrepreneurship. He noted that by this singular act, the company is enhancing the human capacity development and solving the problems of the society. He commended the initiative and prayed for its continuity.
Members of the team include Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, member of the board of trustees; Prof. AU Nonyelu, Director UNIZIK Business School; Prof. Ngozi Anyikwa, Director COCES; Barr. Uche Ibekwe Jr, the company secretary; Prof. Charles Onugu and Prof. Stan Udedi, Dean of Students Affairs. Others include: Dr. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, Prof. Alex Ikeme, Dr. Uju Ezenekwe and Miss Ngozi Emmanuel.
With the relationship that has been established, it is expected that the company will engage students of the university in their industrial work experience as well as its graduates in fulltime job offers.
• Iloabanafor is a 400 level student of marketing, UNIZIK