EdoJobs and EdoFuture 500, Edo State’s platforms set up to boost job creation and entrepreneurship in the state, organised another round of Business Networking Series programme where it encouraged and orientated more Edo youths to embrace entrepreneurship.
The well-attended event was held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City and was attended by current and prospective entrepreneurs who were trained on how to grow their brands, build partnerships, learn new market trends, as well as access business support and mentorship.
Afie Braimoh, Edo State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, and Jennifer Edosomwan, founder/CEO, Jenny’s Glow Skincare Enterprise, were the main speakers.
Other dignitaries include Violet Obikoro, MD EdoJobs; Segun Majekodunmi, head, Entrepreneurship Department at EdoJobs, and Moses Egbabor, state manager, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, Edo State.
Edo State Government’s answer to the rising unemployment challenge is a continuous training and sensitisation programmes for existing and would-be entrepreneurs within the state, encapsulated in the Business Networking Series.
One the essence of the programme, Braimah said it was all geared towards making Edo State great again.
She said: “We are industrialising Edo State by boosting local industrialisation. We want to revive all the sectors starting with the power sector. This programme is also about resetting the mindsets of entrepreneurs for them to be able to tap the emerging opportunities.”
On her part, Edosomwan praised the Edo State Government for setting up different structures in the state to support the growth of SMEs, adding that only a few states in Nigeria could boast of the facilities on ground in Edo State to support small and medium businesses.
“You need to go out there and own your space. Promote your business because business promotion is an essential part of the entrepreneurship journey.”
Recognizing that government cannot do it all alone, Edosomwan added that she would support the Edo State Government by organising another set of entrepreneurship training programmes to be coordinated by her firm.
Segun Majekodunmi listed the benefits of getting registered on the EdoJobs platform, as many products tailored for the specific needs of Edo youths and entrepreneurs are usually posted there. Such products include those relating to loan facilities, and other supports.
“We have funds to support Edo SMEs, but there are criteria to meet and we also need guaranty of repayment,” he said.
Participants at the programme were very pleased as many of them suggested the training programme should hold regularly.
Joy Ologide, CEO of JC Cleaning Services in Benin City said the programme was an eye opener as she got new information that will be helpful to her business. Another participant, Louis Ejiro, CEO of Louis Perfectlook, said she got new ideas that will help her boost sales.
Queen Jamin, another attendee, said that Edosomwan inspired her with the statement, “No one will push you, you have to push yourself.”
On his part, Godwin Osondu, a marketer, said he was able to identify areas where there are new opportunities waiting to be tapped by shrewd SMEs through the programme.
High youth unemployment in Nigeria poses major challenge to both the federal and state governments as youths constitute a significant portion of Nigeria’s demography.
Earlier this month, KPMG predicted that Nigeria’s unemployment rate will continue to rise due to “limited investment by the private sector, low industrialization, and slower than required economic growth and consequently, the inability of the economy to absorb the 4-5 million new entrants into the Nigerian job market every year.”
