MEET FRANK OSHANUGOR
By Winnie Kodilonye
Nigerian youths are gradually embracing the first phase of the online empowerment programmes recently unveiled by Zigzag Nation; the burgeoning online universe with origins in Nigeria and roots all over Africa. The focus of this first phase of an all-encompassing empowerment programme for the youths is two-fold; job creation and self-employment.
AtlanticNewsOnline gathered that at the last count, an array of Nigerian youths from all facets of life is signing on to be part of the empowerment programmes. A discernible trend that excites to no end is the appreciation of the fact that more female youths have already signed on than their male counterpart. This trend is indicative of the effectiveness of the empowerment programmes as the general belief is that the female folks are more investment savvy, prudent, cost conscious and savings inclined.
Noteworthy is the fact that prospective beneficiaries of either the current self-employment or job creation programmes require a dedicated phone number for which five working days a week are available for its activation. To ease the process, Zigzag Nation has partnered with frontline mobile operator 9mobile to facilitate the assigning and activation of phone numbers for the prospective beneficiaries. Each number will be attached a SIM card for easy and low cost communication. SIM cards will also be availed every prospect including family and friends made to be part of the programme who will in turn enjoy unlimited calls to all members, 1.5GB data and 2 way authentication for security.
On how more Nigerian youths can maximize the ample benefits inherent in Zigzag Nation, its founding father and chief visioner; Obafemi Giwa Amu, avowed that prospective beneficiaries will be placed in groups. Each group will set up its Savings group chat box showing all members and their status, total amount pooled, and access to borrow funds in less than one minute. He further disclosed that group members will also have access to start-up funds after one year of membership. The Savings – Ésusu/Ajo/Adashe group chat is available for each group where their meeting is conducted and information made available to members of that group.
Giwa Amu noted that through Savings with notable banks that are financial partners of Zigzag Nation, each individual will have a savings within his own group with 10% per annum interest as a starting rate. After six months, each member can avail themselves of daily, weekly or monthly loans depending on the business model. An expenditure account will also be made available and each beneficiary will be given a virtual card. Additionally, members of the Zigzag Online community stand to benefit from unfettered access to the Zigzag online education library opening by September to upscale their skills in loans acquisition, Enterprise set up and business development, Giwa Amu surmised.
