The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EDC

  • Stanbic IBTC, EDC partner on agribusiness

    Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC is partnering the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) at the Lagos Business School to build capacity for agribusinesses.

    Both institutions will hold a capacity building series tagged Agri-Business Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) to build capacity for agribusiness ecosystem in the country.

    The course content will include essential topics such as Understanding your Market (Competition Analysis, Marketing Plan, Segmentation), Operation and Business Model, Business Plan (Template review and Development) and Understanding the AGSMEIS Application Process Pitching Activity.

    The bank, renowned for its support for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME) sector, announced that its AGSMEIS capacity training, which started on February 26 would end on March 6.

    It also offers a wide array of banking solutions as well as funding, skills acquisition and other support to the SME sector.

    The AGSMEIS is an initiative of the Bankers’ Committee to provide support to and complement the Federal Government’s efforts at promoting Agri-businesses/Small and Medium Enterprises as a vehicle for sustainable economic development and employment generation.

    Head, Enterprise Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Ayodele Ojosipe, reiterated the bank’s commitment to providing the right support and solutions for individuals and businesses to achieve their goals.

    “Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to building capacity among enterprises stems from its deep understanding of the important role enterprises play in providing linkages to industries, employment generation and driving growth of the economy,” he stated.

  • Heritage Bank, EDC discuss opportunities for SMEs

    Heritage Bank and the Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic  University (PAU) are looking at ways of improving business opportunities available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    To achieve this, both institutions will next month, hold a conference where top chief executive officers of key institutions will discuss prospects for the SMEs subsector.

    Speakers at the ninth EDC annual SME conference Heritage Bank Executive Director, are Mrs. Mary Akpabome; CEO Centre for Leadership at PAU, Prof Pat Utomi; Founder Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmos Maduka; CEO Design Options, Mrs Ifeyinwa Ighodalo.

    Heritage Bank Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ifie Sekibo said partnering with EDC to organise this conference is part of the lender’s efforts to help SMEs get better and bigger, which is one of the strategic objectives in our its of Enterprise Bank.

    “Each of these CEOs have proven track record in various business endervours which are nationally acclaimed. We believe that their testimonials will serve a big boost of inspiration for SME operators that would attend the conference”, he said.

    Over the years, Heritage Bank has partnered with EDC and other organisations to help SMEs build competence, access new opportunities and develop necessary leadership skills required for success in the business world.

    These include the Heritage Bank SME Clinic, Heritage Governance Model, the Paris Club Credit  Scheme and the Enterprise Stories, a radio programme whichfocuses on stories of successful entrepreneurs. The sponsorship of the Annual EDC’ SME Conference is to complement these initiatives, which are aimed at promoting SME development in Nigeria.

    The SME Conference is a forum for members of EDC Business Network, and other SMEs alike to come together to learn, interact and share experiences. Last year, the conference with the theme “Model, Money and Market- Positioning Your Organization” brought together more than 500 people made up of SME owners, SME stakeholders, representatives of financial institutions. In the past three years, Heritage Bank has partnered with the centre on this annual event.

  • Etisalat partners EDC on global entrepreneurship week

    Etisalat partners EDC on global entrepreneurship week

    Etisalat Nigeria in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan Atlantic University, recently held the 2013 edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), targeted at youths and young entrepreneurs in the country, to help improve their chances of succeeding in their various chosen businesses.

    Head, Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Bidemi Ladipo noted that it was important for business owners to have access to the right information needed to excel in business.

    “At Etisalat, we have been relentless in supporting initiatives that go a long way in assisting young people to achieve their dreams as regards successfully setting up businesses. Some of the initiatives we have used to help develop businesses include Market Access which is in partnership with SMEDAN, our Etisalat Easybusiness package which helps SMEs to communicate at a reduced cost and our recently launched promo called Easybusiness millionaire hunt which gives an opportunity for people with great business ideas to win as much as N2 million. This is the 3rd Edition of the Global Entrepreneurship week which we are sponsoring and we are satisfied with the level of impact these trainings have had,” he said.

    Also speaking at a seminar earlier organised for National Youth Corpers, Deputy Director, Enterprise Development Centre, (EDC), Nneka Okekearu expressed satisfaction with the improved turnout at the seminar.

    “It has become very obvious that our contributions to the Global Entrepreneurship are beginning to pay off. In the last three years since Nigeria joined the international event, we have had over eight events, over 50 local partners and more than 1.5 million people have participated at the events held in Lagos and Calabar,” she said.

    She also commended Etisalat Nigeria for once again partnering with the Enterprise Development Centre for this year’s edition.

    “I want to particularly thank Etisalat for the support they have shown to EDC in making this edition of the GEW another success. They have been with us over the years and have continued to demonstrate strong support towards young entrepreneurs,” she said.

  • Etisalat, EDC empower SMEs

    As part of its commitment to continually empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and guide them to maximise their potentials for growth, , Etisalat Nigeria, recently hosted SMEs at the 2013 SME Toolkit Nigeria Conference in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), of the Pan African University.

    The conference, which took place at the Lagos Business School (LBS), according to a statement, was held on Wednesday, April 10.

    The SME Toolkit is an international online platform of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank, available in over 35 countries in the world, which offers free business management information and training for SMEs.

    Speaking at the conference, Head, High Value Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Ebi Atawodi, said that partnering with the EDC in promoting the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises through the SME Toolkit conference was one of the core platforms the company has chosen to drive the development of businesses in Nigeria.

    Speaking in the same vein, Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Peter Bamkole, thanked Etisalat for partnering with the EDC to drive the growth of SMEs.

    The SME toolkit global partner conference brings together about 300 trainers, users, experts, content and service providers to discuss how to effectively deploy the e-learning methods through the onilne platform. The conference was held in Nigeria for the first time which also coincided with the 10th ananiversary of the SME toolkit globally.