By Longtong Ibrahim
Kano (Nigeria) – The Kano Main Branch Manager of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mustapha Abdullahi has advised Nigerian Youths especially those in Northern part of the country to utilise the opportunity provided by Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to be empowered.
The Foundation in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has commenced registration for the 2018 TEF entrepreneurship program to provide opportunities for 1200 young Africans with innovative business ideas.
Speaking shortly after a live streaming of the TEF 2018 press breakfast broadcast organised by the Foundation on Friday, Abdullahi explained that Nigerians have great ideas and capacities, but are financially constraint, hence the need to utilise these opportunities.
He said the essence of the program is to identify young persons with innovative business plans to be empowered and made self reliant, as well as become job creators, noting that all it takes is to have that viable business plan which can be sustained.
Abdullahi further pointed out that, other business moguls like Dangote started small and grow over time,” as such they shouldn’t disregard little beginning.
“What is needed now in our society is empowerment of the young ones; many have ideas but don’t have the funds to finance their ideas.
“There is need for well meaning Nigerians and Africans to be involved in this kind of philanthropic act by emulating what the TEF is doing so as to reduce the level of unemployment and youth restiveness.
Also speaking, a beneficiary of the program based in Kano,northwest Nigeria, Ibrahim Garba Sagagy, explained that, all it takes is for an applicant to go to the website and apply, filling the necessary requirements.
According to him, “the program identifies 1000 young persons with new business ideas yearly to be trained, mentored, and funded. A grant of $5000 would be given as start up fund of which if your business is scalable; an equitable sum of $5000 would be added to your business.
“This year, ICRC has provided an additional opportunity for 200 more people from Nigeria’s northeast and south-south because of what is happening in that region. The other 1000 opportunity is for all as far as you are from any of the 54 African countries,” he added.
