By Oladapo Udom
The Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), Mrs Simi Nwogugu, said by the end of 2019, it would have empowered one million youths in Nigeria.
Nwogugu, who made this known on Monday in Lagos, said that the target would be a milestone for the organisation, especially as it would celebrate its 20th anniversary during the year.
JAN is part of Junior Achievement Worldwide (JAWW), the world’s oldest and largest non-profit economic education organisation operating in 120 countries.
JAWW is part of the world’s largest network of organisations dedicated to empowering students on financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship through experiential, hands-on programmes.
“By the end of our anniversary year, we will have empowered 1,000,000 youths across the country. Yet it feels like we are just getting started.
“Since our founding in 1999, we have witnessed the growth and evolution, not only of our flagship programmes including the Venture in Management Programme (ViMP) and the JA Company Programmes but also of the organisation itself.
“Our progress excites me and I am thrilled to celebrate the incredible work and achievements of our team, volunteers and supporters in equipping Nigerian youths.
“Many youths over the years have been equipped with the skills, networks, mindset and values they need to succeed as the next generation of business titans,’’ she said in a statement.
Nwogugu said that the organisation’s anniversary would provide the perfect occasion to reflect, consolidate and build on the successes of the past as well as chart a course for the future.
She said that JAN’s anniversary theme: “20 Years of Impact: Partnering for Growth’’ visually captured in the anniversary logo embodied dynamism, vivacity, prosperity and a bright future.
According to the JAN director, we have lined up a number of programmes to mark the occasion throughout 2019, which will be shared over the next few weeks as the year unfolds.
Nwogugu thanked everyone who had supported JAN over the years and solicited for continuous support “as JAN sets out for the next 20 years of empowering youths to lead the change in Nigeria”.
