9 things we learnt from the 2016 Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES)

A recurring assertion at the 2016 Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES) was: entrepreneurship, driven by young people, is the future of Nigeria.

Speakers at the event, themselves seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders in Nigeria, hammered on the importance of failure and its ability to better a person. They also spoke on the importance of hardwork and using what is available to get what one wants.

The event, which took place on the 12 of July at Eko hotels and suites, had speakers like Waheed Olagunju (the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry (BoI)), Olusegun Awolowo (CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)), Ade Adefeko (Vice President, Olam Nigeria), Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola (CEO and Co-founder WeCyclers), Ubong King (Group Managing Director,Protection Plus Services).

Others include: Bunmi Otegbade (Co-founder and MD of Generation Enterprise), Eyo Okpo-Ene (CEO, Xeus Nigeria Limited), Meka Olowola (Managing Patner, Zenera Consulting), Tayo Oviosu (CEO/ Founder, Paga), Morin Obaweya (CEO, Morin.O Leather Works), Kingsley Nyong
(CEO of BBB Agro Limited), Kennedy Okonkwo (CEO, Nedcomoaks), Uche Nnaji (Creative Director and Founder of OUCH).

The event was organized by Palm3 Strategy and was entitled: “Nigeria beyond oil: Advancing SMMEs development through entrepreneurship social media.”

Speaking at the event, the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Waheed Olagunju, called on young entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) grant which the bank had instituted to help finance entrepreneurial ventures.

The events was attended by over 500 entrepreneurs, students, business leaders, media practitioners and groups.

Here are our top nine quotes from the event:

  1. Speaking on how to get family and friends to invest in a venture, Eyo Okpo-Ene said: ‘Learn how to make money-wash cars, pet babies, polish shoes; when you’re done, people can trust you with money’

2. On the mentality of the 21st century youth, Uche Nnaji observed that: ‘We have an Indomie generation now; everyone wants to make it big, fast’

3. On the importance of hard work and labour, CEO of BBB Agro Limited, Kingsley Nyong, making reference to his life experiences, pointed out that: “There is indeed dignity in labour.”

4. “Mentors are very important in your life,” says Uche Nnaji as he recounts the impact mentors have made in his business ventures.

5. Not one to shy away from tough words and uncharted waters, Ubong King, the CEO of Protection Plus Services, noted that: ‘Physics, Chemistry, Biology is not working. We need to teach our children financial intelligence from a young age.”

6. Reiterating earlier assertions, Ubong King said: “The solution to Nigeria is entrepreneurship for the youth.”

7. “My secret to success is this: copy until you become,” -Ubong King

8. Speaking further King also said “The only way to get out of trouble is to enter trouble.”

9. On pursuing your passion, Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola advised young entrepreneurs to make a business out of societal issues they are passionate about. She said: “What is that problem you are passionate about solving?”

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