Cynthia Chidimma Igbokwe of www.odogwublog.com reports the International Breweries Plc has announced activities heralding the Third Edition of the Hero’s Foundation Kickstart empowerment programme 2018.


Addressing newsmen, the Company Secretary and General Counsel, International Breweries  Plc, Mr Muyiwa Ayojimi said that the Hero kickstart foundation launched in 2016, has empowered 64 young entrepreneurs with the sum of N132 Million, for the growth and expansion of their brilliant business plans.

This he said was to tackle employment challenges, especially among the youths of Nigeria, following the ravaging economic challenges in the country.  He said that the third edition is targeted at empowering 60 youths who have attractive business plans across different skills,

He urged interested youths that the entries will be is open from August 13 to September 30, 2018, for youths between the ages of 18 to 35 and interested youths should visit the foundation website at www.herokickstartnigeria.org.


Ayojimi flanked by the Corporate Affairs Manager Chuma Umunna, and Director Legal, Otumba Michael Daramola as well as a Board member Prof Stella Chinyere Okunna made the announcement at the company's Headquarters, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Ayojimi said: "We initially kicked off the programme with youths residing in the core south eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

"In 2017, we expanded our horizon to include Benue, Delta and Edo states. This year, we will be expanding further to include Rivers State to the list of participating states.

"Applicant who submit outstanding and implementable business proposals are shortlisted for an intensive  business training led by experts from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University School of Business.

"They will be trained on the nitty gritty of running a successful business after which they will develop and submit their business proposal". Ayojimi explained.

He stressed that the competent judges would scrutinize the proposals due to its strength and sustainability, adding that the best proposal would be offered a seed capital to either start up or expand their businesses .


International Breweries Plc, a subsidiary of AB InBev founded in 1971 by Dr Lawrence Omole merged with Pabod Breweries and Intafact Beverages in 2017 to become the biggest beverages manufacturing and distribution companies in Nigeria.
Their portfolio include products like Trophy Lager , Trophy Black, Castle Milk Stout , Castle Lager, Redds, Hero, Grand Malt, Betamalt Malt, Eagle Lager, 1960 Rootz, Hero Lager and Budweiser.

On his part, the Mentor and Coordinator of Awardees, Prof Alex Ike Ikeme observed that the rippling effect of the foundation was such that the beneficiaries had employed other youths, thus reducing the unemployment rate.

Hero’s foundation kickstart programme is the corporate social responsibility initiative of the International Breweries Plc aimed at empowering and inspiring budding entrepreneurs. 

The programme is now an annual event and the final winners would be announced and given a start up and expansion fund at an award ceremony later this year. 

The Picture Captions:

IB Plc Hero's Foundation Kickstart 1
Chuma Umunna, Corporate Affairs Manager, International Breweries Plc; Otunba Michael Daramola, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, International Breweries Plc; Mr. Muyiwa Ayojimi, Company Secretary / Legal Adviser, International Breweries Plc, at the International Breweries Hero’s Foundation Kickstart Media Briefing that held yesterday at the IB Plc., Onitsha.

IB Plc Hero's Foundation Kickstart 2
Past Awardees with members of Hero's Foundation Board of Trustees, at the International Breweries Hero’s Foundation Kickstart Media Briefing that held yesterday, at the IB Plc., Onitsha.

IB Plc Hero's Foundation Kickstart 3
Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna, Board Member, Hero’s Foundation Board of Trustees; Otunba Michael Daramola, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, International Breweries Plc; Professor Alex Ikeme, Mentees / Awardees Coordinator Hero's Foundation Kickstart Programme, at the International Breweries Hero’s Foundation Kickstart Media Briefing that held yesterday at the IB Plc., Onitsha.

IB Plc Hero's Foundation Kickstart 4
Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, Board Member, Hero’’s Foundation Board of Trustees; Chuma Umunna, Corporate Affairs Manager, International Breweries Plc; Otunba Michael Daramola, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, International Breweries Plc; Muyiwa Ayojimi, Company Secretary / Legal Adviser, International Breweries Plc, at the International Breweries Hero’s Foundation Kickstart Media Briefing that held yesterday at the IB Plc Factory, Onitsha.