Diamond Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting small and medium scale entrepreneurs by providing growth capital worth N3 million each to five top breed entrepreneurs. The five beneficiaries emerged the Next Level entrepreneurs in the just concluded maiden edition of the bank’s “Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET) programme.” BET is Diamond Bank’s flagship CSR initiative aimed at building and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

The programme which was initiated in 2010 in partnership with the Enterprise Development Service (EDS) of the Pan-African University focuses on rekindling interest in entrepreneurship through an intensive entrepreneurial management training for which 50 top bread entrepreneurs were selected for Business Development Support out of over 1,000 applications.

The 50 entrepreneurs commenced the 3 – month capacity building exercise on September 13, 2010 at the EDC, Pan-African University. Out of the number, 15 top breed entrepreneurs were selected and admitted into a 6- month intensive support programme of EDC. Each of the 15 participants had a MBA advisor from the SME Logic Club of LBS.

Finally, out of the 15 top breed entrepreneurs, five were selected for the Next Level Award which entitled them to N3 million growth capital each from Diamond Bank with an additional 3 months of business support from EDS.

The five winners are: Iteun Bassey, Fashion Development Agency (Garment Manufacturing); Mobolanle Oshin, Clara’s Bakery (Food and Catering); Iwugoh Chuma, In’exteriors Ltd (Furniture and Design); Tolu Olatubosun, Rfisheries Nigeria (Agriculture); Ubong Effiong, Direction Footwear Apparel (Fashion).

They received cheques for N3 million to each at a ceremony held by the bank in Lagos recently, where they were enjoined to contribute maximally to the socio-economic development of the country.

Diamond Bank has a reputation of being a supporter of enterprise and development and it is committed to continue supporting and empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs through various financial initiatives.