Delta Airlines celebrates 25 years of nurturing students

Delta Airlines has celebrated its 25 years of nurturing innovative younger generations who are committed to excellence.

Delta in partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria has been pushing for a transformative initiative and Nigeria’s commitment to nurturing the potential of young Nigerians.

In a statement by the Airline made available statement  to The PUNCH on Tuesday, Delta noted that in celebrating its 25 years of contributing to innovative excellence, 12 students from across the nation demonstrated their expertise, excellence, and innovative solutions at the National Company of the year competition, themed ‘Greenovation.’

During the NCOY event, Manager of Sales for West Africa at Delta Air Lines, Mary Gbobaniyi, highlighted the significance of this year’s theme, expressing how the program serves as a vital platform for secondary school students to engage with and solve pressing issues facing society today.

“Innovation is part of Delta’s DNA, and we understand the importance of sustainability in business practices,” Gbobaniyi said.

The event saw the decoration of 15 girls from 12 competing schools, as – Delta Girls Lead awards –an awards recognition within the larger competition — recognised the exemplary efforts of the chosen participants.

Gbobaniyi stated that the awarded girls will have the opportunity to attend the JA Girls Leadership Camp in March 2025 in Ghana.

He said, “These awards reflect a commitment to elevating female representation in various sectors, particularly in business and leadership roles. By selecting these young women for a unique trip to Ghana, Delta Air Lines provides them with an invaluable opportunity to broaden their horizons and gain exposure to different perspectives and experiences.

“The journey of these young entrepreneurs is not without its challenges. Participants in the JA Nigeria NCOY competition undergo rigorous qualifying rounds at the state level, where they compete against hundreds of youth startups.

“This competitive process is designed to ensure that only the most innovative and promising ideas advance to the national stage. The culmination of their efforts leads to the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the JA Africa Company of the Year competition, scheduled to take place in Mauritius.”