NBC Commits To Youth Empowerment

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment in Nigeria with the successful completion of its two-day #YouthEmpowered programme, designed to equip young Nigerians with entrepreneurship and employability skills.

The training, which took place in Abuja from March 20 to March 21, 2024, featured an array of engaging sessions such as Career Planning & LinkedIn Profile Mastery, Use of Artificial Intelligence and Other Digital Tools, Financial Literacy and more.

Now in its sixth year, #YouthEmpowered aligns seamlessly with Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company’s Mission 2025 sustainability commitment to train 1 million youths by the year 2025. The Abuja event witnessed participation from over 1,000 enthusiastic learners eager to acquire new skills, contributing to a cumulative reach of over 40,000 youths since the inception of the program.

Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead, NBC, Olukemi Ogunsakin said: “we recognize the immense potential young people hold as catalysts for societal progress and economic growth. Through #YouthEmpowered, we are committed to equipping young Nigerians with highly in-demand professional and entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to contribute meaningfully to the progress of our society.”

Emphasising the pivotal role of youth for positive change and progress, she said, “already, the initiative is proving to be a driving force for positive change, nurturing the next generation of young, skilled, and impactful leaders poised to drive socioeconomic development in the country. Our goal is to extend our reach further, to touch the lives of other young Nigerians across the country.”

Co-founder and executive director, Mind the Gap, Tayo Olosunde stated that, “we are excited to team up with the Nigerian Bottling Company to unleash the potential of youths in our nation’s capital. Through dynamic initiatives like #YouthEmpowered, we are not just dreaming of a better Nigeria, we are actively crafting it. I am positive that as we continue to invest in nurturing their young minds, we are ultimately paving the way for a future where innovation, growth, and prosperity thrive. And by doing that, we would be building the Nigeria of our dreams.

Speaking on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) support for #YouthEmpowered, the Mandate secretary, Social Development, Ibrahim Masari, disclosed that the FCTA was happy to have NBC bring its #YouthEmpowered program to the Federal Capital Territory because such initiatives are in line with this administration’s agenda on youth development and integral to President Bola Tinubu’s economic growth imperatives.

#YouthEmpowered is part of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company’s broader mission to empower individuals aged 16 to 35 with skills needed for meaningful employment, and self-sufficiency.

Since its launch in 2017 in Nigeria, the program has reached over 41,734 youths across 10 cities, and nine campuses.