NAN-H-27
Delta
By Adekunle Williams and Solomon Asowata
Lagos, May 23, 2017 (NAN) Delta Airlines has expanded its global support of Junior Achievement (JA) by partnering with the organisation in Africa.
The airline will sponsor JA Africa’s Innovation Camps and Company of the Year (COY) programmes in Lagos, Nigeria, and Dakar, Senegal, over the next 12 months.
The airline made the announcement in a statement signed by its media consultant, Mr Omoh Imanah, which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.
“We have seen the benefits young people gain from Junior Achievement initiatives and extending Delta’s association to more of our global markets will enable a greater number of students to achieve their academic and career goals.
“We are looking forward to working with the organisation and hopefully inspiring more young people to consider a career in aviation,’’ the statement quoted the airline’s Commercial Director, East and West Africa, Mr Bobby Bryan, as saying.
According to him, the COY programme is the signature showcase for both JA and the high school students, who complete the initial JA company programme.
He said the annual event allows young people to demonstrate in a competitive environment, how their business and entrepreneurial acumen will engage business, education and policy leaders.
Bryan said the company programme empowers groups of young people aged 15-19, to set up and run a real business, over the course of an academic year.
“They make all the decisions about their business, from deciding on the company name and product, to creating a business plan, managing their finances and selling their products.
“The winners from the Lagos and Dakar national competitions, along with 12 other countries where the scheme runs, will be invited to take part in the African final, later this year in Johannesburg,’’ Bryan said.
Mrs Elizabeth Bintliff, CEO of JA Africa, said the group was honoured to have received the grant from Delta Airlines, which had been among its strongest supporters globally.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Delta to promote youth economic empowerment in Africa,’’ she said.
“JA’s innovation camps provide a forum for students to address a specific business challenge, and work in groups, to find ways to overcome the issue at hand.
“During the one-day camp, the team members may not know each other, but will have to adapt quickly and find out how to work together most efficiently and effectively.
“Through this, they learn new skills including problem solving, communication, team building and troubleshooting.
“The innovation camps offer an experiential learning environment for students, based on a real-life business situation.’’ (NAN)
WAC/ASO/FLP’PIO
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(Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Idonije Obakhedo)