By Mary Amodu
Social Entrepreneur and Founder Builder Builders Hub Impact Investment Program (BHIIP) Barrister Natasha Akpoti has stressed the need for youths in the country to be entrepreneur-oriented and develop their potentials.
She stated this recently, during a one day seminar organised by BHIIP on ‘Creativity and Collaboration; Key For Successful Entrepreneurship Growth in Nigeria’s Ecosystem’, which was held at Abuja Entrepreneurship Agency (AEA) Jahi, Abuja.
Akpoti emphasized the need for entrepreneurs in Nigeria to come together and build around their strengths, harness the versatile opportunities available and create more and in turn proffer solutions to the weaknesses and threats facing them.
She also called on government to create an enabling environment for much existence on local industries for both small and medium enterprises to grow.
Also Speaking, the GM, HR/Asset mgt, Abuja Enterprise Agency Mr. Chudi Ezirigwe encouraged entrepreneurs to imbibe the spirit of collaboration and desist from the idea of limiting their enterprises to their families alone.
He clearly stated that entrepreneurs, especially the young ones are the future of this great nation Nigeria.
Similarly, the Director, export development and incentives, NEPC, Barr. George Enyiekpone hinted out some of the criteria entrepreneurs must consider while preparing their products for export which include; prices, standards and packaging, while citing an example of a well packaged garri product with all the relevant label inputs.
He said such cannot be compared to garri of the same quality but with poor packaging, stressing the need for entrepreneurs to always work towards the best packaging as such packages are also part of the products.
Amongst the agencies which were present are the Abuja Enterprise Agency, AEA (who served as the host agency), the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Growth and Employment (GEM), Nigeria Export Promotion Commission (NEPC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), The National Board for Technology Incubation.
