Different people with different stories to tell on the trickiness of operating a successful business in Nigeria. There are some stories that inform, educate and inspire others on the entrepreneurial journey. Such experiences are always a delight to learn from.
Young people who intend to own their businesses do have struggles that could make them want to give up on their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs. It really can be exhausting.
There is the dire need to constantly ask questions, observe, listen, learn and unlearn. Also, the opportunity to network at prolific training events and conferences where successful entrepreneurs and business owners are present can never be overemphasized.
It is youth-empowering events like the “Youth Leadership Series” (YLS) organized by Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc that makes the difference and opens the eyes of young people to the reality of what they can do with what they have and how they can start from where they are. The event held at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Lagos on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
YLS is a platform deliberately organized to train and empower young people to become business leaders and to get closer to the future they desire. The YLS aims to close up the gap between potentials and the future, by providing the inspiration needed to build greatness from innate potentials.
This year’s theme, Techriculture, is a matchup of agriculture and technology. It enlightened the participants on the exceptional results that these two fields when merged can spawn. The knowledge gained from this year’s event is worth more than a hundred pieces of diamond glittering in the dark.
The bank’s CE, Dr Demola Sogunle in his welcome address at this year’s edition of YLS, themed “Techriculture”, shared a succinct background to the event.
In today’s world, where technology and its impact are widespread in various industries, young people and aspiring entrepreneurs must infuse and utilize technology to empower their businesses in order to achieve higher results.
The speakers: Samson Ogbole of Farm Lab, Yewande Kazeem of Wandeville Media, Seyi and Seun Abolaji of The Wilson’s Juice Company, shared their phenomenal experiences on how technology has helped and still helps them to simplify their Agric focused ventures. They also educated the audience on how they can embrace technology to provide value in their various industries.
During the panel session, the speakers shared stories of their humble beginnings and life lessons as they journeyed through the process. They advised youths who aim to become business leaders to stay diligent, work hard, research, network, execute ideas, take risks, stay focused, embrace consistency and invest in themselves.
At the masterclasses, they also taught about the right approach to product development, informing processes and shared tips on how to create value by solving problems in society. There was the opportunity to have personal conversations with the speakers.
To spice up the experience, one of Nigeria’s artists, Wurld, was present. He excited the audience with some of his hit songs.
