Bayelsa govt seeks Heritage Bank support on youth development in sport

The Bayelsa State government has indicated interest in partnering Heritage Bank Plc on youth empowerment and sport development.

The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo disclosed the interest of the state government during a courtesy call with the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Daniel Igali and others on the management of the Bank, at Heritage’s Head Office in Lagos recently.

Ewhrudjakpo expressed the state government’s readiness to collaborate with Heritage Bank to empower youths and develop sports at all levels with the intent to put measures in place to play-up their socio-economic wellbeing and for the identification and development of budding talents.

He also commended Heritage Bank for its pivotal role in enhancing youth development and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit for economic growth.

“We believe with that, there is going to be first, removing our youths from drugs dependency and we are also using them to win. We really want to see how Heritage Bank can partner with us or support of which we have adequate publicity,” he stated.

Ewhrudjakpo affirmed that Governor Douye Diri-led administration would do everything within its reach to foster a mutually beneficial partnership.

Whilst responding, Executive Director of the Bank, Jude Monye who welcomed the delegates assured the Deputy Governor of Heritage’s readiness to support the Bayelsa government on youth empowerment and sport development.

Monye disclosed that Heritage Bank has been at the forefront of supporting good courses involving youth and sport, whilst reiterating the bank’s MD/CEO, Ifie Sekibo’s readiness to partner with Bayelsa State government.

“On behalf of the CEO and the Board, I want to say, we will support the course of Bayelsa State as far as sports is concerned. Whether it is wrestling, athletic, football, soccer, we will be part of it.

“We have always supported good courses; we are a small bank and relatively new. We will support the Bayelsa State Government because we want to see the youth brought out of drug peddling and drug consumption to where their life can be useful,” he said.