Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday, approved an interest-free loan of N740 million for two young entrepreneurs.
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 after an impressive visual presentation of their work during the launch of the Bayelsa E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Programme with the theme, “Made in Bayelsa, Sold To The World: Driving Prosperity Through Local Commerce,” at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
While Korumene produces hair extensions under the brand “Bayelsa Dunaly Hair” and uses organic materials from plantain stems, Dan-Adere recycles plastic waste to produce interlocked blocks.
Addressing 500 young participants at the event, the Bayelsa governor said the programme would be held annually.
He explained that the government would support the two beneficiaries with the credit facility through a financial institution, Premium Trust Bank.
According to the governor, the facility will serve as motivation to young business owners in the state and encourage self-reliance towards creating jobs, reducing poverty, as well as contributing significantly to wealth creation.
Related News
He also said the government would partner with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to enable Bayelsa entrepreneurs to engage in online trading of their goods and services.
“Let us have a paradigm shift from depending solely on revenues generated from crude oil. This is the time for us to move towards where the world is going.
“We have hair extensions such as Brazilian hair made with chemicals. But now we have the Bayelsa hair using organic materials from the plantain stem, thereby utilising the full value chain of plantain.
“The state government has prioritised Artificial Intelligence, and I have directed the Commissioner for Education to include it in our schools’ curriculum. We have also completed all the buildings in a new ICT hub in Yenagoa. I will appoint a technical focal person to manage the hub. We want to see a new Bayelsa.’’
The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, in a keynote address, said the scheme aims to redefine the state’s economic narrative by fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship, which includes identifying customer needs, leveraging technology for market expansion, and ensuring profitability.