Youths in the south east of Nigeria now have the chance of bringing whatever business idea they have to reality by simply joining the ‘Kickstart Bold-Step’ programme of the Intafact Beverages.
To this end, the company, which is a subsidiary of South African Breweries, better known as SABMiller has launched Hero’s Foundation, which it said is aimed at growing the business initiatives of youths in the zone, and also creating a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Speaking during a press conference to mark the commencement of the ‘Kickstart Bold-Step’ programme, and the official unveiling of the Hero’s Foundation in the South East, the General Manager of the Company, Mr Lukas Van Deventer said the initiative is aimed at giving back to the people.
“The kickstart Bold-Step programme is aimed at creating and developing a culture of entrepreneurship among young people by promoting business skills, managerial awareness and material support through training, mentorship and provision of grants, as start up capital or expansion seed.
The major objective of the programme is to ensure that the teeming youth in the south east with bright business ideas to turn these into reality, and this will inturn reduce undergraduate unemployment by engaging them meaningfully through entrepreneurship programme that will encourage them to bring their dreams to life,” he said.
He also added that the company is investing in the future of the region where it has been operating by helping to build a very prosperous young society, while enjoining interested applicant to enter for the contest by filling their forms on www.herokickstartnigeria.org, or come in person to Intafact beverage office in Onitsha to pick up their forms.
Deventer said the company will empower 50 youths who will be selected after presentation of their business plans and judged by a group of panelists, and the loan will be collateral free one, for youths of the region who are aged between 18 and 35 only.
