Life Continental Lager Beer, a brand of beverage from the stable of Nigerian
Breweries Plc has finalized plans to boost the entrepreneurial spirit of Igbo men and women across the south-east states of Nigeria as the brand unveiled the 2018 edition of its famous Life Beer Progress Booster in Enugu, Enugu State capital yesterday.
The initiative, which is designed to promote small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), is targeted across the South-eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Delta and Rivers where the brand holds sway as the market leader.
Unveiling the initiative, the fourth edition in its series, the Brand Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Emmanuel Agu said, “Life Progress Booster promotion is a celebration of the essential Igbo spirit of industry, will to succeed, enterprise and passion in the world of business. This project is, no doubt, a reinforcement of the heritage embedded in the Life Continental Lager Beer, its essence, connection and affinity with the people and heritage of South East”.
Agu further explained that like its previous editions, a consumer and interested participant needs to currently be operating a simple, viable, not necessarily outlandish business idea that he desires to take to the next level of success. “Progress Booster is a programme with the sole aim of supporting the people of the South-east, who have innovative business ideas to encourage their entrepreneurial spirit. We are excited by the success of the previous three editions. We are also ready to support another set of 200 entrepreneurs, who will qualify through the business pitch this year, and we look forward to empowering other hardworking and innovative businessmen and women”, Agu said.
Unlike the previous editions, no radio show is involved. Interested participants only need to pick and fill the entry forms. Shortlisted candidates will proceed to pitch their existing businesses that need more funding to a team of three experts and 200 successful candidates across the catchment zone will each win a booster fund of N300, 000.00.
In a goodwill message at the unveiling, Levy Anyikwa, South East Zonal Coordinator, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) praised NB Plc and Life Continental lager brand for the unique effort to encourage and lift small businesses in the region. “SME’s are the lifeblood of industrialization across the world. This is a right step in the right direction”, he said, urging contestants to take advantage of the opportunity to put their businesses on sound footing.
Some winners of past edition and their proposals include Eusebius Owusi (Cold Room Business Expansion); Stella Okechukwu (Hair Dressing Salon Establishment) and Felicia Emeh (Canteen Expansion). Others are Augustine Okoli (Household & Furniture Welder); Tuvia Kings Enterprises (Creative Fashion Designer and Prints); and Anyachukwu Donatus (Food Condiments Processing).