Rep. Bamidele Salam has commenced a three day business and leadership bootcamp for 400 graduates and young entrepreneurs in Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo federal constituency of Osun State.
The bootcamp which commenced on Thursday in Osogbo, had as trainers, business consultants, financial experts, economists as well as participants from all wards in the four local government areas.
The Lawmaker who represents the Federal Constituency in the Green Chambers stated that the initiative was necessary to build human capital and nurture businesses at the grassroots.
He said “This program itself, like you can see and like we have always established, it’s meant to develop human capital, to build up people in a manner that will make them live purposeful life, that will make them live impacting life.
“To fire the imagination of our young population, to also provide them with opportunities to see the opportunities that are available beyond in this country. We are providing them with an opportunity to be aware, knowledgeable and motivated.
“So there are many things happening both within the public and the private sector that we need to let our young persons know and be able to key into them. And that is why you see the caliber of persons who have invited here to be facilitators.
“They are people with hands on experience in various businesses, people who have the right information, the right kind of orientation to provide to this young generation”, he emphasised.
Hon. Bamidele said it was also an opportunity to bridge the gap between various government agencies that have products and services which the young entrepreneurs can leverage on to boost their businesses.
“The Nigeria Export Promotion Council, the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Bank of Agric, the Bank of Industry and so many other organizations that have a lot of products that they have developed to help young entrepreneurs but which because of lack of effective communication may not be available to these young generation”, he stated.
“Bringing them together in a program like this will offer them that opportunity to hear firsthand from this organization and also key in to the opportunities available to start and to grow”, he explained.
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While explaining the reasons behind sustaining the initiative for years, Salam said “there have been so many testimonies as a result of the programmes held, so many businesses have sprouted in the constituency as a result of the impact of this bootcamp. Many of them will be speaking as programme goes on. That is the greatest motivation for us continue.” He said.
Hon. Tunde Olatunji, one of the speakers, disclosed that Agriculture had a lots of revenue it brings to the development of the country, calling on youth to invest in its value chain.
The former Chief Whip of Osun Assembly said, “What we are doing is bringing our young ones back to the farm, and we have to be intentional about it, there are farm products that can be exported and will generate a high revenue for the country and also reduce the level of unemployment in the country. When there are provisions of incentives or information about it, the young ones will be willing to dive into it and create a path.”
Lecturing the 400 graduates and entrepreneurs, Mr Aloyinlapa Semiu Kayode, the Chief Executive Officer of Go-global Xclusive services gave an insight on how to write irresistible business plan and also how businesses can thrive, even during economic crisis.
” There will be always be economy crisis, you as a business owner must try to go with the tide, you need to sit back and think how you can also make money, there is money everywhere. It won’t come meet you while you’re not doing anything, you need to come up with packages, appeals that will suit your customers preferences, that’s how you do it differently “, Kayode said.
The entrepreneurs also appreciated the lawmaker for the initiative and how they have been able to get insights on how they can thrive and grow their businesses. They said the event is surpassing their expectations.
Insight Media reports that the bootcamp is expected to continue on Friday and end on Saturday, 9th March.
