BY TAIWO OKUWOBI, LAGOS
Ecobank Nigeria and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) have reached strategic collaboration to reduce unemployment in the state through the promotion of entrepreneurship and capacity development for Lagos based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
According to a press release from Ecobank, under the arrangement, Ecobank is expected to make available its various platforms and solutions to LSETF for prequalified MSMEs in Lagos to drive attainment of the objectives as set out by LSETF and Ecobank Nigeria.
The release stated that Mrs. Carol Oyedeji the Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the collaboration was in line with the bank’s empowerment and entrepreneurship initiatives to reduce unemployment in various parts of the country.
She stressed that the collaboration will be mutually beneficial to both parties as it would achieve sustainable business growth and overall skill development amongst MSMEs operating in Lagos state.
She pointed out that the partnership will engender structured capacity building, technology skill acquisition, access to business mentoring and access to finance..
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary/CEO, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Mrs Teju Abisoye, said her organization was pleased to work with a leading Pan-African Bank with operations in thirty (33) countries across Africa.
“Partnerships like this moves us much closer to our goal and I believe that the collaboration of the government and the private sector is one that can defeat the scourge of unemployment, exponentially expand the economy and improve the quality of life of our people.
“The initiative, which is tagged LSETF/Ecobank Project, is aimed at making available various platforms and solutions tailored for participation in the programmes of the LSETF towards achieving the objectives of increased job and wealth creation, reducing unemployment, driving technology adoption and capacity/skill enhancement,” she said.
