IB PLC, Ilesha – Osun State, a subsidiary of The South African Breweries Limited (SAB) brought to a scintillating climax to the end of their Season 1: KickStart Initiative for youth- owned businesses by announcing the winners of its youth entrepreneurship development programme, IBPLC Foundation KickStart, on the 21st April, 2016.The programme has been in the running for the past 10 months across the South – Western region of Nigeria. This year's top twenty five winning youth-owned businesses have been awarded grants of up to N1.5 Million Naira. An independent panel of business experts selected the final winners according to their progress throughout the competition.
The top twenty five winners were selected from an initial pool of over 4,000 entries, and then pruned to 120 and finally the lucky of 50 finalists who completed a nine months programme. The programme covered the initial registration, submission of business plan, selection and training, proposal presentation and defence.
“Finalists will create more than 100 jobs in 2016/17”.
In his speech the Chief Operations Manager (COO), Andrew Ross laid emphasis on the need and essence for the initiative and why IBPLC KickStart was essential to global development., he said, “Prolonged unemployment has a negative effect on the unemployed, their ability to be employed, their physical and mental well-being—and this ultimately contributes towards an increase in the level of poverty”.
He further went on to say, “From Abuja to Seattle, the number of jobless youth is a global phenomenon. The issue might not be dominating global headlines, but we need to address it in small bite chunks. That is what kick-start stands to represent. Groups and companies alike must begin to kick-start empowerment within their communities. Imagine the impact of empowerment programmes of about 1,000 companies in Nigeria will have on 1,000 communities every year”.
The winners were announced during the maiden Awards Ceremony organized by IBPLC FOUNDATION held at ZENEBABS GRAND EVENTS HALL, Ilesha – Osun State. IBPLC FOUNDATION is running the KickStart initiative targeting young entrepreneurs across the South – Western Region, of Nigeria and offering business grants of up to N1.5 Million Naira for eligible participants.
It is important that big business in Nigeria use their resources, experience and knowledge to help small business become sustainable and strong contributors towards the country's economy. This means investing more than just capital but offering the support and guidance needed to carry these businesses through to success, the KickStart Initiative is aimed at creating healthier and improved qualities of life for underprivileged or at-risk youth by driving a positive sense of self, self- control, decision-making skills, a moral system of belief, and pro-social connectedness”.
A needs analysis, conducted on the finalists' businesses, helps define a growth strategy for each. This strategy in turn informs the seed capital awarded for the benefit of each business, as well as the programme and terms of the entrepreneur's individualised business mentorship for the remainder of the business year.
The event saw winners and losers, brought under the same roof. Hope, aspirations and dreams of all the participants.
The event flagged of with the arrival of invited guests and participants that were welcomed and treated to a red carpet reception by the organizers. After being ushered into the well decorated and set venue, the business of the day kicked off.
The well attended event graced the presence of top management officials of SAB MILLER SOUTH AFRICA, IB PLC Ilesha, Representative of The Governor of Osun State, in the person of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, Representative of the Oni of IFE and other Royal Families, Renowned Business Tycoons and entrepreneurs and VIP of the business community.
The rich culture and tradition of Osun State was in full display as guests were treated to traditional choreographed music and dance performances and a taste of their local delicacies. The master of ceremony kept the pitch of the day constantly rising they entertained the audience with rich humour and lively musical interludes, which served as a brief tease building up to the main event.
Prevalently, then came the announcements. Out of the 50 finalists, 25 were called out and handed Awards and Grants. It was a heartfelt and emotional moment when some of the participants could not hold back their tears. It was definitely a moment that would forever live in their hearts-one they’ve dreamed of since the beginning of this journey and through all the hurdles that befell them.
Conclusively, In her vote of thanks, the IB PLC Corporate Affairs Manager (CAM), Mrs Folashade Omole could not help but thank everyone that had helped make this a reality, in her words “We give all Glory to God, the giver of life. He is our enabler; he is the one that has made it possible for us all to be here today.
We appreciate the Government of the State of Osun; for her unflinching support at all times especially, the Executive Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola for his continuous support to the Breweries.
She went on to thank the initiators of the program and the project facilitators for a job well done and called the occasion to an end.
Mentoring of the 25 lucky winners starts immediately and the second edition will be announced by the IBPLC KickStart Foundation working Committee.
Visit the IBP KickStart webstite here- ibpkickstart.com
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