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Jun
Jun
BAYELSA GOVERNOR APPROVES N740M INTEREST-FREE LOANS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
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CapitalTimesNews / 1 month
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The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has approved an interest-free loan of N740 million for two young entrepreneurs in the state. The loan, which will be disbursed through Premium Trust Bank, is aimed at supporting the growth of their businesses and promoting entrepreneurship in the state. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah, in a statement, said the governor approved the sum of N240 million for Mrs. Tare Korumene, Chief Executive Officer of ECO FIP Nigeria Limited, and N500 million for Winsome Dan-Adere, who recycles plastic wastes to produce interlocked blocks. Daniel Alabrah said the loan is part of the Bayelsa E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Programme (BEEP), which was launched by the governor on Tuesday. The BEEP programme, which had 500 young participants, aims to promote entrepreneurship and digital literacy in the state. Governor Diri explained that the programme would be held annually and would provide young business owners with the necessary support to create jobs, reduce poverty, and contribute to wealth creation. Daniel Alabrah further disclosed that the governor has directed the Commissioner for Education to include Artificial Intelligence in the state’s schools curriculum. “The state government has prioritised Artificial Intelligence and I have directed the Commissioner for Education to include it in our schools curriculum,” Diri said. The governor also announced plans to partner with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to enable Bayelsa entrepreneurs engage in online trading of their goods and services. “We need to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of online business and we know that you will require electricity. Our government has therefore procured gas turbines, which by the end of this year enable Bayelsa to have uninterrupted power supply,” Diri added. Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, said the BEEP programme aims to redefine the state’s economic narrative by fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship. “The goal is to create a hub for innovation, attract global investors, and position Bayelsa as a leading centre for technology and business process outsourcing,” Abdullahi stated. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Owanari Harry, said the BEEP programme is a commitment to support 500 nano, micro, and small businesses in the state by providing capital, training, mentorship, and market access.