The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) has stressed the need for government and non governmental organisations to develop more entrepreneurship programmes for Nigerian youths, to help curb and prevent them from indulging in social vices capable of disturbing the peace and development of Nigeria.
This call was made at the Grand Finale of the 4th Abuja Youths Enterprise Club (AYEC) tagged “Social Enterprise in my School” were schools in the FCT came together to run solution-based projects on the challenges faced within their environment and the country at large.
The acting MD/CEO of the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) Mallam Shehu Abdulkadir, explained that the reason for the programme was to engage young minds since the world is currently faced with so many security challenges and all those perpetuating the negative vices are energetic youths.
He said that the government alone cannot provide jobs for all its citizens, that private sectors need to come in to support the government, while the youths need to think outside the box to be self-employed and contribute to nation building.
“Abuja Enterprise Agency, in line with its mandate has initiated and organized several capacity-building programmes, one of which is the Agency’s flagship programme, the Abuja Young Entrepreneurs’ Club (AYEC) which is conceived out of the Agency’s vision and desire to entrench entrepreneurial knowledge in secondary schools within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“The Abuja Young Entrepreneurship Club (AYEC) was launched in 2007 as Abuja Entrepreneurs’ Club and targeted students below the tertiary institution level to encourage them in identifying leadership and entrepreneurial skills through entrepreneurship training, annual competitions, exchange programmes, and study tours.
“On June 22, 2022, all the participating schools converged at the Abuja Enterprise Agency to pitch their business ideas before a panel of judges who appraised and selected the schools with the best projects. The schools with the most innovative and viable social enterprises will be unveiled and awarded with seed capital to implement their proposed social enterprises in their various schools,” he said.
Abdulkadir said since its commencement, the programme has recorded remarkable achievements with the Competition receiving considerable support from Public, Private and Non-Profit Organizations (NGOs).
“In 2008, during the maiden edition, twenty-five (25) schools in the FCT participated in the competition, and Government Secondary School, Jikwoyi emerged the winner. The school went on to become three-time winners of the Global Cup under the SAGE- Nigeria.
“The second edition of the programme was held in 2010 and a Competition on Art Cultural Heritage with emphasis on Traditional Musical Instruments was organized with Fifty (50) schools in participation. Capville School emerged the winner of the edition,” he said.
At the grand finale, Government Secondary School Bwari came first position in the Abuja Young Entrepreneurs’ Club (AYEC) competition with a seed capital of N1,000, 000.
Government Secondary School Kubwa came second getting N750,000, and Government Secondary School Zone 3, Abuja, got the third position, with a seed capital of N500,000.
The permanent secretary, FCTA Mr. Olusade Adesola congratulated the emerging winners of the 4th Edition of the AEA Young Entrepreneurs’ Club competition for their innovative, creative and sustainable ideas.
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