Union Bank Partners with JAN for LEAD Camp

Union Bank Partners with JAN for LEAD Camp

Ugo Aliogo

As part of its desire to promote gender equality and the empowerment of the girl child, Union Bank has partnered with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) for the sixth time, to organize the annual LEAD C amp.

A statement made available to THISDAY by JAN said the camp is a week-long programme designed to identify, assemble and coach exceptional female students from across Nigeria.

The statement also noted that as a result of the ongoing pandemic, the 2020 edition would be held virtually for the first time since its inception in 2001.

According to the statement: “The mission of Leadership Empowerment Achievement and Development (LEAD) Camp is to inspire and empower young girls to become high-achieving women leaders while addressing Sustainable Development Goal 5: gender equality and eempowerment of women and girls. To achieve this mission, the participants are taken through a series of activities including leadership workshops, empowerment and panel sessions and media projects.

“During the Camp, the girls will have the opportunity to engage in enlightening discussions with Union Bank employees and leading women from both the private and public sectors in Nigeria. They will also participate in conceptualization and development sessions that discuss critical issues such as career, financial literacy and health, including sexual reproductive health.

“For almost 20 years, JA Nigeria has organised this event to nurture young girls on their journey to becoming successful women. This year will be no different as about 200 girls are expected to be impacted over the duration of the 5 day programme.”

Speaking on the significance of the programme, the Executive Director of JA Nigeria, Simi Nwogugu, explained the importance of empowering the girl child, lauding the bank for their unwavering support, and commitment to LEAD Camp despite the constrained economic environment brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are committed to empowering young girls, impacting their lives and setting their feet on the path to becoming successful women as we believe this is a step in the right direction to having a just and equitable society. Though the outbreak of COVID-19 has instructed us to shun physical gathering and practice social distancing, this year’s edition of LEAD Camp will be implemented online for the first time allowing us to reach even more girls. Since the first edition of LEAD Camp in 2000, the program has inspired over 900 young girls who are now high achieving women in various sectors from running businesses to running non-profit organizations to make the world a better place. We, however, wish to appreciate Union Bank for the continuous partnership with us to empower and transform our young girls.” Nwogugu said.

Speaking on the bank’s partnership with JAN, Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem said: “Union Bank is pleased to partner with Junior Achievement Nigeria to organize the LEAD camp for the sixth year. This expresses our commitment to the push for gender equality and our focus on supporting the girl child. We are proud to see the impact of the programme on these young girls from all across the country, and applaud the efforts of the JAN team as who work tirelessly to prepare the young girls to take up leadership positions in the future.”

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