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BY ABU-SATAR HAMED
ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, His Excellency Michel Deelen, has praised Ogun State for its entrepreneurial spirit, noting that the state is a natural overflow of the economic activities in Lagos.
Deelen who stated this on Monday, July 16, 2024 at the unveiling of the Orange Corners Nigeria Hub in Ogun State, an initiative aimed at nurturing young talents and transforming their innovative ideas into successful enterprises, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship in creating jobs and driving economic growth.
He encouraged entrepreneurs in Ogun State to apply for the programme, which is a selection process, and assured them of support in their entrepreneurial journey.
Deelen stressed that the role of government is to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to thrive, and commended the Ogun State government for its efforts in providing such an environment.
“Ogun State is a natural overflow of what happens in Lagos also happens in Ogun State, therefore, together with FATE Foundation.
“These are entrepreneurs, who will create jobs, hire people, so what do we expect here?
“Entrepreneurs in Ogun State should apply, it’s a selection process, and we are here to help you in your entrepreneurs.
“The economy generally is created by entrepreneurs and the role of government is to create an enabling environment whereby entrepreneurs can thrive” he said.
Represented by the Commissioner for Industries, Trade and Investment in Ogun State, Mr. Adebola Sofela, the Governor commended the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and FATE Foundation for their commitment to entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.
The Governor advised young entrepreneurs to be tenacious and focused, and assured them of the state government’s support in providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“Orange corners hub in Ogun State is a place where young entrepreneurs are going to express themselves with business ideas in terms of how to do business, access to finance, managing business in a very competitive manner and for them not to start a business but to be able to sustain it.
“My advice to them is to be tenacious and focused and you have to be intentional about what you want to achieve.
“Ogun State has provided, and it’s still providing, an enabling environment for business to thrive, from our infrastructure to secure a siren environment for people to live to thrive and to do business. A lot has been done in terms of business transformation in Ogun State
“Ogun State is open to business, we also welcome strategic partners, and the government is very intentional about it.”
In her welcome speech, the Executive Director, FATE Foundation Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi stated that the Orange Corners Nigeria Hub, Ogun State, is aimed at providing mentorship, training and funding to young entrepreneurs, focusing on key sectors such as Circular Economy, Agriculture, Health, Renewable Energy, Technology, and Water Solutions.
The initiative, she stated further, is expected to create jobs, stimulate economic activities, and contribute to the reduction of poverty and unemployment in Ogun State.
Adenike however commended the success of the business incubation programme in Ogun State.
She said the programme, which was previously held in Lagos, was expanded to Ogun State to support young entrepreneurs in the region.
According to her, “Fifteen individuals were selected to participate in the programme in Lagos with the goal of creating businesses.”
Contributing, the Dean and Director of FATE Foundation, Mr. Bambo Adebowale, noted that over 700 individuals applied for the programme, with only 30 selected for the cohort.
He added that the Orange Corners Nigeria Hub is a two-day event, featuring a panel pitch and a rigorous selection process to ensure the best entrepreneurs access the facility.
“For all the entrepreneurs who are on our programmes through the FATE school supported by the FATE institute are those kinds of programmes that individuals and organizations need to start to grow.
We have also been doing this for 24 years now”, Adebowale posited.
Attendees at the unveiling include His Excellency, Michel Deelen, Consular General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos Nigeria; Sonia Odije-Fajusigbe, Economic Policy Advisor, Entrepreneurship Youth Employment & Healthcare Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos and Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director, FATE Foundation.
Others were Bambo Adebowala, Dean & Director, The FATE School; Amaka Nwaokolo, Director, The FATE Institute; Engr. Kehinde O. Akintomide, Director of Industrial Promotion, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ogun State and Mr. Danjuma John-Ekele, Corporate Affairs Manager, West & Mid-West, Nigerian Breweries Plc., among others.
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