By Lydia Ngwakwe

Winners have emerged at the Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) National Competition 2023, held in Partnership with FirstBank Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the overall winner of the competition is the Sustainable Future Advocate Company, from Kosofe Secondary School, Lagos.

The winner produced Plantain Briquettes

Royal Incorporated from Alaba Lawson Royal College, Ogun, emerged first runner up. They developed an Eco Jeans Bag.

K.C. Integrated Services from Kano Capital Girls Secondary School, Kano State, emerged second runner up, developed KC oil for contraceptives.

Speaking at the event, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, emphasised that the initiative aims at empowering secondary school students to build fulfilling careers and be financially conscious from a young age.

She said that the competition would help young people gain the tools and knowledge needed to make effective, informed financial management decisions and achieve long-term financial independence.

“Through the initiative and First Bank’s partnership with JAN, over one million young Nigerians have been impacted as we have continued to strategically drive sustainability practises through the innovation and participation of students in the JA Company programme.

“FirstBank’s sponsorship of the JAN National Company of the Year competition (and by extension, the Africa Company of the Year- ACOY) enters its 13th year today and we are extremely excited by the success we have achieved over the past years.

“FirstBank remains committed to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in children and young adults thereby enhancing their creativity, wealth creation and management skills and ultimately, nurturing the kindness culture and corporate responsibility and sustainability involvements,’’ she said.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Mrs Folusho Gbadamosi, said, “ We are deeply honoured to collaborate with First Bank Nigeria, a consistent supporter in nurturing and shaping the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative skills of these young minds.

“It’s been nine years of partnering with us for the implementation of the National Company of the Year competition and we look forward to more years of partnership.

“Year after year, the National Company of the Year competition has nurtured and developed young, innovative leaders equipped with a passion for entrepreneurship and excellence in a global economy.’’(NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa