Unn,cbn In New Deal

UNN, CBN in new deal   
Written by Vincent Ujumadu     
Thursday, 12 June 2008 

AWKA— THE University of Nigeria, Nsukka in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has flagged-off a training programme in entrepreneural studies for graduates and secondary school leavers at Onitsha, Anambra State aimed at reducing unemployment among youths and checking rural poverty in the country.

Organised under the auspices of the Entrepreneurship Development and Research Centre, CEDR of the UNN, no fewer than 5000 people would benefit from the training programme
Executive Director CEDR, Prof. Alex Ikeme said at the inaugural business session of the centre at Ifesinachi Plaza, Onitsha, that the objective of the training was to change the mindset of both graduates, school leavers and retired personnel that without government jobs, they could not attain great heights in life.


Ikeme said that the Entrepreneurial Development Centre, EDC, concept evolved from the realization that potential entrepreneurs could be developed and encouraged to start businesses on their own through appropriate interventions.

According to him, the EDC programme would provide such interventions through a package of sub-programmes consisting of training, consultancy, and financing depending on how articulate the business proposals of the graduates are.

In their separate speeches, the programme specialist, Mrs. Edna Onwurah and programme manager, Dr. Ben Okpukpara, said their main business was to develop the intellect of participants and show them the way to prosperity and commended the CBN for partnering with the UNN in ensuring that Nigerian youths were engaged in productive ventures that would chart a new course for the nation’s technological and industrial growth.

Some of the participants at the programme called for the re-structuring of the nation’’s educational curriculum to include the study of entrepreneurship development for all courses offered in tertiary institutions, adding that it would not only eliminate crime in the society, but would help graduates become successful in their various endeavours in future.

They urged other students in the South-East geo-political zone to avail themselves of the golden opportunity provided by UNN and the Central Bank by enrolling for the skills development programme which lasts between four weeks and two months.