The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) is relaunching one of its major economic empowerment programmes previously known as Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES).
To aid the development of small businesses and youths within its several host and pipeline communities in Rivers State, NLNG recently announced the relaunch of YES. And the life-changing scheme, now referred to as Vocational, Innovation, Business, and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), will guarantee the growth and sustainability of small businesses owned and managed by previous YES beneficiaries.
Speaking at the relaunch event in Rivers State, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Dr Sophia Horsfall revealed that the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas remains fully aware that being an entrepreneur is not limited to opening and running a business alone, it also extends to creating opportunities that will transform communities, aid economic growth, and trigger positive social change.
Represented by the Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Charles Epelle, Horsfall said that VIBES will focus on fostering an environment where Nigerians can start businesses, create jobs, and eventually become investors. She believes making this dream a reality is currently driving the firm’s commitment to nurturing local businesses and helping the young and the old to become job and wealth creators on their quest to make a lasting impact.
“In line with NLNG’s vision of improving lives sustainably, VIBES is a deliberate programme to engender entrepreneurial knowledge, and the networks needed to grow entrepreneurs and change-makers in our communities,” she said.
According to Sophia, the empowerment programme is a civilised approach to economic growth which delivers improved support via networking opportunities, grants, resources, and mentorship to help participants refine and actualise their achievable business goals.
VIBES is simply a way of redefining the implementation of the company’s YES programme, which was formerly established to ensure Nigerian youths become economically active, socially responsible, and independent, via effective technical and managerial development training. To make YES’ upgrade to VIBES a success, NLNG reached out to various entrepreneurship, business development, law, technology, and innovation experts to offer training and mentorship to selected participants and guarantee the continued growth and sustainability of their businesses.
VIBES will offer detailed business training, including educative courses on financial management, marketing, strategic planning, law and legal practices and so on. It will also aid the provision of efficient mentorship from respected business experts to all participants.
The top 50 participants will each receive a grant $1,300, and this funding will help to improve their business as it serves as part of a comprehensive support system that includes mentorship, networking, and vital advisory services.
