By Dipo Olowookere
Season 5 of the annual entrepreneurial reality show, The Next Titan, has commenced and headline sponsor of the programme, Heritage Bank Plc, has again thrown its weight behind it, promising to continue to do so as long as the show remains focused to its primary goal of lifting and encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship.
The Next Titan is Nigeria’s foremost entrepreneurial reality TV show; whose importance lies in igniting entrepreneurial spirit and showcasing the possibility for transforming lives with just a business idea that can be scaled to greatness.
Business Post gathered that season 5 of the business show, which organizers promised to be more exciting, will start with auditions in Abuja at the end of the month before moving to Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Lagos.
Speaking with newsmen at the official press conference held to announce the official commencement of the reality TV show this year, Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank, Mr Fela Ibidapo, said his organisation supported the show because it focuses on the development of small medium enterprises in the country.
He assured the public that the financial powerhouse would sustain its interest and sponsorship for the programme because the goal it sets to achieve aligns with the corporate aspiration of Heritage Bank.
Mr Ibidapo explained that the management at Heritage Bank believes that banking is not only about how much money we can make from customers; but also, about adding value to aspiring individuals, groups, community and state.
“Banking is not necessarily about how much we make from you, but also about encouraging success of initiatives that support economic development process,” he said.
According to him, the Next Titan is an outstanding entrepreneurial scheme that has stood out in the past four years and has immensely contributed to employment generation in Nigeria; a nation where graduates and other youth endlessly scout for job opportunities.
He said the programme easily aligns with the primary focus of the management of Heritage Bank to promote every laudable entrepreneurial idea meant to broaden economic horizon of the country for the benefit of citizens and other residents of Nigeria.
His words: The Next Titan is strictly SME-focused banking initiative and we are using the opportunity to enjoin people with laudable business ideas like those who participate in the annual programme to move forward. Heritage Bank will be ready, at any time to support ideas like that.”
Also speaking at the occasion, Mr Mide Kunle-Akinlaja, Executive Producer, The Next Titan, disclosed that the success stories of winners from the previous editions have been phenomenal. He said being on national television, The Next Titan has positively impacted on the generality of young people and other viewers.
“We are ready again to inform you that we are set for the new season, as we have already received thousands of entries from young aspiring entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
“This will give these young ambitious entrepreneurs another opportunity to showcase their business ideas and battle one another for a prize of N5 million and a brand-new car to start their dream businesses”, he stated.
