Providus Bank MD urges youths to tap into $250b Green Economy sector

From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Providus Bank, Walter Akpani, has called on the youth in the country to tap into the huge investment opportunities in Green Economy, instead of searching for white collar jobs.

Akpani noted that Green Economy which is aimed at achieving sustainable development, mitigating environmental degradation and ameliorating global warming is estimated to be worth $250bn in Nigeria.

The MD made the call in his keynote address during the Youth Governance Dialogue session of the Presidential Youth Retreat organised by the Youth Development Centre of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Contributing To Green Economy”, Akpani said that in addressing the challenges of climate change brought about by industrialisation and various activities of men, the youths can latch on billions of naira investments opportunities in efforts to decisively fight off the evil of climate change. He said: “When we talk about the Green Economy, we are talking about an economy that is aimed at reducing environmental risk, the one that fights environmental degradation but promotes sustainable development and a friendly environment.  “The green economy promotes empowerment through small scale enterprises and it is a worthwhile investment to protect our environment and biodiversity. It is an Economy that is estimated to be worth $250bn in Nigeria with critical sectors, including transportation, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture among others.

“As vibrant youth and leaders of today that you are, contributing to green economy will mean that you are taking up leadership in helping to reduce the impact of climate change.

“IIt will mean you are taking up investment opportunities in efforts geared towards creating a better world like investing in agriculture and planting trees, renewable energy such as wind and solar as well as recycling of waste.

“As an institution, we have promised to always support the youths that have great business proposals. There is a young man who is into recycling that we have supported to the tune of over N4bn and there is another one who is into farming in the north that we have supported with about N6bn. What I am saying essentially is that for the youths who are really ready to add values genuinely, there will always be funds for them to push their noble dreams.”