Fawaz Adebisi
The Youth Enterprise With Innovation In Nigeria(YOUWIN) under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Finance, has organized a one-day seminar for MAPOLY students to encourage and support aspiring entrepreneurial youth in the society.
The seminar which was held at Babalakin Auditorium, on Tuesday, had in attendance the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, Management of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development in the School, MAPCED, and Director of Student’s Affairs, Olusegun Aninkan.
The Seminar was facilitated by Emmanuel Abdul, an Estate surveyor, and a media coach who emphasized the goal of the initiative which is to encourage the youth to be business oriented and entrepreneurial to withstand the economic challenges of the present generation.
He said, "the program is a way to encourage today’s youth to begin to change their narratives, their mindsets, towards white collar Jobs, and begin to see opportunities around."
He added that students should try and focus more on how to prepare a business plan, than on planning to prepare their curriculum vitae, as he said the only way to make money in Nigeria is to solve problems.
"We are privileged to be part of Nigeria because we have population and we have almost everything, and where entrepreneurs strive are where there are challenges because you are only making money because you are solving a problem, if you’re not solving a problem, you’re not making money."
"It’s an opportunity to make money in Nigeria for us to de-congest the labor market, everybody wants to look for a job, everyone wants to submit a CV, instead of submitting a CV, submit a business plan."
"We are here to remind people that there are other opportunities aside from waiting to prepare your CV, instead of preparing a CV, start preparing a business plan and by trying to do so, some people will have the opportunity to be empowered in this course." He stated.
He, however, urged students to grab opportunities as there are many at hand.
He said, "There are lots of opportunities people can key into, it’s just that if you’re not privileged to have the information, you may not get what you want. Let’s grab the opportunity to equip ourselves."
However, he said, "Everybody can’t be an entrepreneur, if it is, who would be buying the products, but the truth is, as it is now in Nigeria, we can only advocate for more entrepreneurs."
"There are some persons that can’t own a business, rather, they work for people."
"You can’t lure or force people to be entrepreneurial, but being an entrepreneur is good, running your own business."
"Life is not about money but fulfillment.
Identify your passion, and turn it to monetary value." He maintained.
In the same vein, he advised students to make use of their phones judiciously to develop themselves, as he implore them on the need to think outside the box.
He, therefore, appreciated MAPOLY students as "the turnout is the best we’ve ever had, the turnout is massive. He said.
