…Commemorates World Entrepreneurs Day
In what appeared to be a wake-up call to the government and stakeholders in Nigeria, an African network organisation, Lead Entrepreneurs Network Africa (LENA) has called on the Federal Government and stakeholders, especially development partners to step up further actions that would create more opportunities for youth employment.
In a statement by the Executive Director of Lead Entrepreneurs Network Africa (LENA), Adepeju Aderele to commemorate this year’s World Entrepreneurs Day (WED), the group challenged governments, development partners and corporate organisations working in Nigeria to tackle youth unemployment, the depth of creativity and low family income as a panacea to the numerous socio-economic problems facing the country
It added that tackling these challenges form the fulcrum of the “Decade Action” for the actualisation of the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Aderele stated that in commemoration of this year’s WED, LENA aligns itself with other local and international platforms which have been working towards achieving the objectives of the international day, which is a global initiative to create awareness and draw the attention of world leaders and regional bodies to the promotion of actions and programmes that encourage entrepreneurship among our population, particularly the youths and women.
She said: “There is no other way to chase away poverty and unemployment other than for government and all international groups to reinvigorate efforts at creating innovative and sustainable efforts that will enhance job creation, improve family income and access to resources which will help in raising a new generation of entrepreneurs around the globe.”
The WED is an annual global event that is set aside by world leaders and global alliance to celebrate regional and global entrepreneurs and business icons who have shaped business practices. It is also set out to draw attention to the need for governments and stakeholders to promote best practices and actions, improve sustainable livelihoods and income in regions in transition and those affected by declining economic prosperity.
“On our part we are contributing our own quota to the global crusade,” Aderele assured, adding: “We want to urge the Nigerian government and stakeholders to initiate efforts that will give more attention to raise a new generation of entrepreneurs through training, capacity building and mentorship. This is the time to review our school curriculum to incorporate basic principles on entrepreneurship. As the society is changing, our ideas and practices must reflect the new changes and realities.”
As part of the activities to commemorate the WED, LENA inaugurated Osan Ekiti Egbe Olobi LENA Multipurpose Cooperative Society on Friday at Osan Ekiti Moba Local Government of Ekiti State. It was part of the programmes of the Non-Governmental Organisation to increase access to microcredit services, capacity building and improve income of rural families and youths in Nigeria.
The event was attended by the Assistant Director of Cooperative Services, Ekiti State Ministry of Trade, industry and Investments, Mr Sunday Ojo, community leaders as well as members and executive of the newly inaugurated cooperative society.
Aderele explained: “LENA is focusing on using Ekiti as a model in the Southwest. We have seen that cooperative movements in the past were very successful in the region. This accounted for the huge economic success that was achieved in the region in the past. We can see that today, cooperative movement have bounced back in Ekiti, seeing that this is one of the major contributors to entrepreneurship development, and many local business operators in the state have received big boost from the sector. LENA therefore decided to come in and revolutionise the practice so that its gains and benefits can be replicated in other states in Nigeria and elsewhere Africa.”
LENA has so far conceived, registered and inaugurated eight multipurpose micro-credit cooperative societies in seven communities across five local government areas in Ekiti State.
In collaboration with the Ekiti State government, LENA support corporate bodies to establish Entrepreneurs Development Centres in designated locations in the state for the training and raising of young entrepreneurs in Ekiti State.
LENA is an emerging not-for-profit organisation with mandate to raise a new generation of entrepreneurs by networking with established businesses, investors, relevant stakeholders and governments across Africa. Its activities are geared towards the development of agriculture and sustainable livelihood, foreign direct investment, joint capital ventures, Overseas Development Assistance, infrastructure and project funding and financing, policy lobbying, networking and improved trade relations, as well as best business practices.
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