June 18, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Tuesday approved an interest-free loan of N740 million for two young entrepreneurs in the state as part of efforts to promote youth entrepreneurship and local innovation.
The beneficiaries are Mrs. Tare Korumene, CEO of ECO FIP Nigeria Ltd, who received N240 million, and Mr. Winsome Dan-Adere, who got N500 million. Their impressive presentations during the launch of the Bayelsa E-Commerce Entrepreneurship Programme (BEEP) earned them the governor’s immediate financial backing.
Themed “Made in Bayelsa, Sold to the World: Driving Prosperity Through Local Commerce,” the programme was launched at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, with over 500 young Bayelsans in attendance.
Korumene’s business produces organic hair extensions from plantain stems under the brand Bayelsa Dunaly Hair, while Dan-Adere recycles plastic waste into interlocking blocks.
Governor Diri said the credit facility, to be disbursed through Premium Trust Bank with modalities handled by the State Ministry of Finance, is part of his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, job creation, and poverty reduction.
“These entrepreneurs have shown innovation and resilience. The loan is not just a reward but a motivation to other youths to believe in themselves and their ideas,” the governor stated.
He also announced plans for the state to collaborate with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to enable Bayelsa entrepreneurs market their products globally through e-commerce platforms.
“This is the time to shift away from our dependency on oil revenues. The future is in digital technology and online commerce,” Diri said.
Highlighting other government initiatives, he revealed that the curriculum of Bayelsa schools will be updated to include Artificial Intelligence, while an ICT hub in Yenagoa is ready and awaiting activation with a dedicated technical manager.
He added that the state has procured gas turbines to ensure uninterrupted power supply by year-end, which he said is crucial to supporting digital businesses.
“This is our vision—to create a digitally-driven economy, a prosperous Bayelsa led by our youth. This is the legacy we aim to leave behind,” he said.
In a keynote address, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the BEEP initiative aims to transform Bayelsa into a hub of innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship.
He said the programme emphasizes digital literacy and targets achieving 95 percent digital literacy by 2030, in partnership with federal initiatives such as the 3 Million Tech Talent programme.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Owanari Harry, said BEEP will provide capital, mentorship, training, and market access to 500 nano, micro, and small businesses in the state.
She said the initiative is also designed to attract global partnerships and sustainable growth for local entrepreneurs.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
